"It is one of the very few accounts to have been written by one of ‘the many’ without whom ‘The Few’ could not have succeeded. The author joined up in late 1941 and was trained as an armourer, initially serving at a gunnery school. However, shortly before D-Day he joined a ‘Free French’ Spitfire squadron with which he served until the end of the war. The second half of this highly readable account is in effect a detailed history of the Free French Spitfire Wing during the last year of the war. That in itself is hugely welcome, but even more so is the description of the itinerant life of a 2nd Tactical Air Force fighter unit in the months after D-Day and the often-miserable conditions endured by the hardworking and ever faithful groundcrew. No less valuable is the earlier description of life for a working-class family in London during the inter-war years. A peach of a book that was unputdownable."
Andrew Thomas - Author and Historian
"It is one of the very few accounts to have been written by one of ‘the many’ without whom ‘The Few’ could not have succeeded. The author joined up in late 1941 and was trained as an armourer, initially serving at a gunnery school. However, shortly before D-Day he joined a ‘Free French’ Spitfire squadron with which he served until the end of the war. The second half of this highly readable account is in effect a detailed history of the Free French Spitfire Wing during the last year of the war. That in itself is hugely welcome, but even more so is the description of the itinerant life of a 2nd Tactical Air Force fighter unit in the months after D-Day and the often-miserable conditions endured by the hardworking and ever faithful groundcrew. No less valuable is the earlier description of life for a working-class family in London during the inter-war years. A peach of a book that was unputdownable."
Andrew Thomas - Author and Historian
I have just read [this] book in one sitting; informative, logical and persuasive. A veritable "tour de force" which adds to our knowledge and appreciation of events past and challenges ahead. I was particularly interested in the US perspective, of which I was mainly ignorant and the slightly internecine Falkland TG aviation tangles. I have had no qualms about my distaste and mistrust of the Crabs; the book confirmed all that I knew. I was impressed with the strategic conclusions which not only confirms my view about Whitehall and what needs to be done. I take nothing away from the overt support for the trans-Atlantic alliance, I would just add that, although admittedly a tangential matter for this book, the dependence upon the efforts of European continental powers to make up the whole alliance of northern hemisphere democracies is pivotal. I believe passionately that a European dimension to sea based air already exists and should be further exploited - CDG is a single but highly capable.. Read more
Commander Paul Fisher
I have just read [this] book in one sitting; informative, logical and persuasive. A veritable "tour de force" which adds to our knowledge and appreciation of events past and challenges ahead. I was particularly interested in the US perspective, of which I was mainly ignorant and the slightly internecine Falkland TG aviation tangles. I have had no qualms about my distaste and mistrust of the Crabs; the book confirmed all that I knew. I was impressed with the strategic conclusions which not only confirms my view about Whitehall and what needs to be done. I take nothing away from the overt support for the trans-Atlantic alliance, I would just add that, although admittedly a tangential matter for this book, the dependence upon the efforts of European continental powers to make up the whole alliance of northern hemisphere democracies is pivotal. I believe passionately that a European dimension to sea based air already exists and should be further exploited - CDG is a single but highly capable.. Read more
Commander Paul Fisher
Read the full review [link=https://bmmhs.org/book-review-sir-charles-portal-by-richard-milburn/]here.[/link]
British Modern Military History Society
Read the full review [link=https://bmmhs.org/book-review-sir-charles-portal-by-richard-milburn/]here.[/link]
British Modern Military History Society
Article featured: Liz McConaghy named 2023 Inspirational Women in Defence by the Defence Discount Service.
RAF News - July 28, 2023
Article featured: Liz McConaghy named 2023 Inspirational Women in Defence by the Defence Discount Service.
RAF News - July 28, 2023
‘I have immensely enjoyed reading this high octane account of life as an operational Royal Navy Wasp and Lynx Pilot.’
Cdr Paul Tremelling RN(Retd) Sea Harrier Pilot. Author Harrier: How to be a Fighter Pilot
‘I have immensely enjoyed reading this high octane account of life as an operational Royal Navy Wasp and Lynx Pilot.’
Cdr Paul Tremelling RN(Retd) Sea Harrier Pilot. Author Harrier: How to be a Fighter Pilot
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On Laughter-Silvered Wings
This is the thoroughly researched account of the life and times of a South African WW2 pilot, the author's father, Ted. It is highly personal, drawing on family history and changing lifestyles as the central figure fights his way through a series of experiences, flying coastal strike missions in the Mediterranean and North Africa, then in the Far East… Read more...
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Alan Bristow: Helicopter Pioneer
Alan Bristow, founder of Bristow Helicopters, died seven days after completing his autobiography. He was a truly remarkable man; his full-page obituary was published in The Times and The Daily Telegraph. As a merchant navy officer cadet during the war Bristow survived two sinkings, played a part in the evacuation of Rangoon and was credited with shooting… Read more...
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Back Bearings
Eric Cropper's RAF career started in 1943 and ended in 1968. It covered a period when the navigation of aircraft changed from astro, dead reckoning and drift bearings all plotted by pencil on charts, to press-button radio and satellite information that can instantly pinpoint a position anywhere on the planet to within 5 metres. The then vital skills… Read more...
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Alone I Fly
After several years at sea, Sgt Bill Bailey arrived in Cairo in 1942 as a new recruit to the RAF, hoping to fulfill his ambition to fly bombers. Within hours of his arrival he is sent on his first bombing mission as second pilot in a 104 Squadron Wellington. The aircraft was hit by enemy gunfire and suffered continual loss of altitude as it struggled… Read more...
