From personal diaries and logbooks, Barry Marsden has produced a compelling account of Edwin Swale’s life which is rich in first-hand detail. This is the story of one man’s extraordinary achievements and it stands as a fitting tribute to the airmen of the Great War who continue to this day to inspire us all, especially readers of BFA.

Biggles Flies Again, Winter 202, Vol. 5, No 11

As featured in

Stand To! Western Front Assc No.111

As featured in

Ilkley Gazette

This is the extraordinary story of a young man from a well to do middle class English family who enlisted in the Royal Naval Air Service (soon to be the Royal Air Force), when he turned the tender age of 17. Arriving in France in March, 1918, Swale shot down seventeen enemy aircraft, mostly the dreaded Fokker VII, one of Germany's ablest aircraft. Barry Marsden uses Swale"s letters, diaries and official reports to ably reconstruct an incredible eight month tour of duty on the Western Front which he survived intact.
During the Second World War, Edwin Swale returned to uniform and served as an intelligence officer, eventually working with the Ultra and Enigma encoding systems. And to prove that flying can get into the blood, Swale's son saw combat flying the de Haviland Mosquitoe, earning DFCs form both England and the United States.

This is an excellent book for those interested in the history of the World Wars.

The Past in Review, David Lee Poremba

At 100 pages, Marsden's "Camel Combat Ace" is a relatively short read, full of action and an easy choice for aviation fans. It comes in a handy 6x9 hardcover format, with well spaced lines of an easily read, medium sized font. It is highly recommended.

Indy Squadron Dispatch

As featured in

Keighley News

The book is complimented by fitting photographs showing the family business, the different aeroplanes he flew, and confronted, his brother Duncan who was killed, as well as later family photos. What adds to the book is the personal nature of its structure and text, ensuring that you obtain a real feel if Edwin Swale's whole life.

Edwin went onto be elected the Mayer of Chesterfield, and have a long period of Municipal service. The book notes that Edwin was a 'noted son of Chesterfield'. This book is a fitting tribute to him.

Jon Sandison, Freelance

Well-written account of the flying career of Wing Commander Swale, based on diaries and family documents. The Great War saw some fighter pilots achieving more than 80 kills, but that was a result of the practice of flying until the pilot himself became a victim, and where many kills were of much inferior aircraft. In the final year of conflict, 17 kills against the formidable Fokker VII was a great achievement. Highly Recommended.

Read the full review here.

Firetrench