History of No Moon Tonight in Timeline

Share: FB Share X Share Reddit Share Reddit Share
No Moon Tonight

No Moon Tonight is an autobiographical account by Don Charlwood, an Australian navigator in the Royal Air Force's Bomber Command during World War II. The book details Charlwood's training in Canada under the Empire Air Training Scheme after joining the Royal Australian Air Force in 1940. It primarily focuses on his experiences navigating Halifax, Lancaster, and Wellington bombers, capturing the intense reality of completing a tour of operations with his crew. The book's title references a melancholic song, "Tristesse," often played before dangerous missions.

1915: Don Charlwood was born

In 1915, Don Charlwood, the author of No Moon Tonight, was born in Melbourne, Australia.

1940: Charlwood joined the Royal Australian Air Force

In 1940, Don Charlwood joined the Royal Australian Air Force and was trained in Canada via the Empire Air Training Scheme.

September 1942: Combat mission to Bremen

In September 1942, Charlwood crewed up to fly a single combat mission to Bremen in a Wellington bomber from RAF Lichfield.

July 1945: Demobilization from the RAAF

On July 31, 1945, Charlwood was demobilized from the RAAF. Subsequently, he worked for the Department of Civil Aviation.

1984: True names used in paperback edition

In 1984, the paperback edition of No Moon Tonight was published, using the true names of several men that were originally concealed using pseudonyms.

1991: Journeys Into Night was published

In 1991, a companion book to No Moon Tonight appeared, entitled Journeys Into Night.