Letters from the Few (Hardback)
Unique Memories from the Battle of Britain
Imprint: Air World
Pages: 272
Illustrations: 50 black and white illustrations
ISBN: 9781526775894
Published: 1st August 2020
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Fascinated by the Battle of Britain from an early age, as a young man Dilip Sarkar realised that recording and sharing the Few’s memories was of paramount importance. At the time, back in the mid-1980s, membership of the Battle of Britain Fighter Association was well populated and the then Honorary Secretary, the now late Wing Commander Pat Hancock DFC, OBE, supported Dilip’s research by forwarding letters to individual pilots of interest.
Those members of the Few included a wide-range of personalities, from famous airmen like Group Captain Peter Townsend and Air Marshal Sir Denis Crowley-Milling, to the ‘also rans’, as Battle of Britain Hurricane pilot Peter Fox famously described himself and peers. Indeed, it was Peter’s ‘also rans’ that were of the greatest interest to Dilip, who recognised that whilst many famous and distinguished pilots had either published personal memoirs or had biographies written about them, lesser-lights had no platform to record and share their experiences. This Dilip became dedicated to resolving.
For many years, Dilip enjoyed prolific correspondence with the Few. These letters – hundreds of them – now represent a unique primary source, confirming the incredibly close relationship the author enjoyed with his heroes and high esteem in which they likewise held him. Over the years, Dilip’s published work has enormously benefited from his unique knowledge of the people involved through this very personal association, the memories collated providing his books a real ‘human’ touch. As the Few sadly fade away, it is only now that the significance of Dilip’s correspondence, industry and archive arising are becoming truly apparent.
In Letters From The Few, Dilip shares with us, for the first time, a small selection of his correspondence with Battle of Britain fighter pilots, providing us an inspirational insight into the immeasurable value of this research and personalities involved.
Anyone who wants to read more than the cold facts, who is looking for background information and stories, has made a very good choice with 'Letters from the Few'.
Traces of War
Very good.
Full review here
The raw emotion and the resilience of these veterans shines through in every chapter... It's a must-have for anyone with an interest in the Battle of Britain and particularly for anyone who enjoys primary sources.
Aviation News, February 2021
Who better to tell the story of the Battle of Britain than those were there, the celebrated FEW? Through Dilip Sarkar MBE, THE FEW's words, their correspondence with him over the years, have found another outlet through his prolific pen and his passion for aviation. We who follow in their footsteps are the beneficiaries, and this book is as good as any - first hand accounts, supporting narrative and awash with photos.
Paul Nixon
This is a valuable addition to the Battle of Britain library and we would all do well to read their words and remember. If some of us think that we live in dark times today, this really was a dark hour for Britain and paradoxically, for THE FEW, their finest hour.
Read the full review here
I have to say, that having read the book I found the story of the pilots interesting and at times amusing ,but for me the short entry by Sergeant Ray Johnson was the one that I enjoyed the most, as the mix of highs and lows, I feel gave me the best idea of what it was to live and serve during this particular point in history covering the few, during the Battle of Britain.
Aeroscale
Read the full review here
Listed in the Book Shelf feature: 'The best of this month's Hertfordshire-linked books and book news’
Hertfordshire Life, February 2021
This is probably the best of the many works on the Battle of Britain from the past year, the 80th Anniversary.
FlyPast, February 2021
As featured in competition promotion
Sussex Local (Pulborough), 1st January 2021
Article featured in nostalgia column by Brian Lee
South Wales Echo, 6th November 2020
I enjoyed reading the book. Because of its design, it is easy to dip in and out of, or to read in longer sittings. The language used is jargon free and easy to read. There are multiple quotes from letters and other correspondence with the few, all put into context by Dilip.
Army Rumour Service (ARRSE)
If you want to go beyond the myths of the Battle of Britain, this is a good place to start.
Read the full review here
This is an amazing collection of letters home from the men who became known as "The Few", those amazing, dedicated, selfless pilots who enabled Britain to survive when faced with overwhelming odds in 1940. Superbly put together, and tugs at the heartstrings.
Books Monthly
Sarkar has produced another great book that tells those stories that are not included in the logbooks, often very informative, but dry and cold. He recovered stories of fantastic pilots and ordinary people who became extraordinary at an extraordinary time for the world and for England. He saved them from oblivion thanks to his work, fortunately started in time, giving us, together with Pen & Sword, a book of absolute value.
On The Old Barbed Wire
Read the full Italian review here
The intimacy of this book came through so clearly in the pictures and personal letters from over 25 airmen who fought at the Battle of Britain. Glimpses from the letters provide the opportunity see the war from their viewpoint and Sarkar expounds upon already rich details. As a royal watcher, the letters and insights from Group Captain Peter Townsend (once connected to Princess Margaret) caught my attention. I was drawn to his input regarding the Spitfire and its contributions to the war as well.
NetGalley, Katie Barr
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
NetGalley, Literary Soirée
This is how history should be taught! The author brings the Battle of Britain alive through personal stories from pilots who flew the deadly WWII skies. As Prime Minister Churchill said of this ragtag crew, “Never in the history of mankind has so much been owed by so many to so few.”
There are 25+ featured flyers, including Group Captain Peter Townsend, known for his romance with Princess Margaret, and even one German pilot, who recalls fierce fights against Britain’s Royal Air Force. I’ve been forever thrilled by RAF history, even more so now that I’ve read LETTERS FROM THE FEW. Also features photos of pilot memorabilia that add vivid authenticity.
5 out of 5 Stars
About Dilip Sarkar MBE FRHistS FRAeS
Dilip Sarkar has now written over sixty well-received books. Having enjoyed a privileged relationship with many of The Few, he is a globally acknowledged expert on the Battle of Britain, currently working on a career-topping eight volume official history for The Battle of Britain Memorial Trust and National Memorial to The Few. Described by the late Dr Gordon Mitchell, son of the Spitfire’s designer RJ Mitchell, as an ‘aviation detective’, Dilip Sarkar did actually begin his professional life as just that – a police detective. His evidence-based approach and ability to discover new material is well-known – in 2023, for example, he was responsible for having Air Chief-Marshal Sir Keith Park, a New Zealander, officially recognised as one of The Few. Made an MBE for ‘services to aviation history’ in 2003, Dilip was elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Historical Society in 2006, achieved First Class Honours in Modern History as a mature student in 2010, and in 2024 was made both a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and member of London’s Royal Air Force Club. During his long career, Dilip has exhibited and spoken internationally at such prestigious venues as Oxford University, the RAF Museum, IWM Museum, and Airborne Museum, Oosterbeek; he has worked on many TV documentaries, on and off screen, again internationally, and has an engaging presence on YouTube and Facebook in particular.
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