Hurricane Squadron Ace excels as an operational history of various units and airfields during Brothers’ tenure with them. It, therefore, is less the story of ‘Pete’ Brothers. It highlights the team effort and Brothers’ part as one of its leading lights. That said, the pre-war period is a superb, but all too short, description of flying fighters during this time and the reader develops a real feel for the man but subsequently struggles to maintain this in the largely ‘bigger picture’ of the following years. The connection is brought back somewhat towards the end of the war and Brothers’ fascinating post-war careers and, again, the author’s writing has a lot to do with this. Expect a read that requires effort but look forward to a solid, detailed service biography, with extras, of a great man.

Read the complete review here.

Aircrew Book Review, Andrew Wright

This is an engaging story of one of The Few. It is a complete biography that also covers the subject's experiences flying heavy bombers and V-Bombers after 1945. The subject's career is interesting and varied, which questions why no one has thought of producing a full biography earlier. Aviation enthusiasts will naturally wish to buy copies. Many may buy specifically because it is an account of one of The Few, who become fewer each year and, all too soon, will disappear into history. Highly recommended.

Peter Brothers was in so many ways typical of the young men who developed a keen interest in flying and moved from private piloting to the RAF Volunteer Reserve, or directly into the RAF as a career. During the Battle of Britain The Few were a very small force desperately fighting a much larger German force where they needed to shoot down four Germans for each of their own losses to stand any chance of winning the battle. The level of exhaustion was a considerable pressure as aircraft landed, refuelled and re-armed, to take off once more to fight incredible odds. There were few respites in the beautiful summer weather and pilots could be flying four or more sorties in a day, and for many days in succession. Each day, there were more gaps as comrades fell in battle. How these young pilots met the challenges of a unique air war is in itself an extraordinary story.

There were significant losses during the Battle of Britain, but it did not end there. As the RAF began to go over onto the offensive, pilots who had survived the Battle of Britain were lost on fighter sweeps over France and the Low Countries. Some posted to the Middle East, or Far East, but the losses continued and the Normandy Landings were to see more of The Few become casualties. A number spent a part of the war as prisoners and those that survived to 1945 were not all to continue flying for the RAF. Of those that did continue, and reach senior rank, their later careers were not necessarily as fighter pilots and Peter Brother was to become a heavy bomber pilot, flying Avro Lincolns and then the Vickers Valiant which was the first of the three jet V-Bombers to enter service and play a key role in the Cold War, carrying the British nuclear deterrent. Beyond RAF service many of the survivors lost their connection with flying and forged new careers. Each of them had a fascinating story to tell, but history has been fickle and neglected so many of the Few.

It is therefore all the more welcome when a new book is published to provide a full biography of one of The Few who have previously been neglected. In this case, Peter Brothers enjoyed a long life and long service with a strong moral compass. This is book that entertains, inspires, moves, amuses, surprises – what more could any reader ask for.

FIRE Project

As seen in...

RAF News

There are many combat reports reproduced and details of combat tactics recorded.

Aeromilitaria

The reader is offered fresh insights into one of the most pivotal conflicts of the twentieth century.

Royal Air Force News

A well-researched and fascinating story. Very entertaining.

Aeroplane Monthly

As featured in.

Staffordshire Life Magazine

The story of one of the most heroic fighter aces of the Second World War, Air Commodore Peter Brothers, has been brought to life in this gripping new book. The story of his career is incredibly entertaining, featuring a number of hair-raising episodes and is sure to prove a welcome addition to the library of any discerning enthusiast.

Lancashire Living Magazine.