Battle of Britain book

[keeper96]

Hello folks

Bit of a difficult question here...

A couple of years back I read a really good book about the Battle of Britain, it was one pilots personal account of the battle and I would love to read it again but I can't remember the title and can't for the life of me find it in the house.

 

What I can rember is one really memorable account from the book where the author is returning back to base and comes across another plane flying dead straight and level, he goes in close to the plane and sees the pilot slumped back dead at the controls. He follows in formation for a little while until the other plane slowly changes course and he leaves it to continue back to base.

I remember thinking what a respectful and somber moment that would have been for the author.

I know it's not a lot to go on but any help or reccomendations would be greatly appreciated.

I've just finished reading first light by Geoffrey Wellum and would like to read some more first accounts on the subject.

Thanks

Jamie

[sportsbob]

Was it called something like Spitfire days or Spitfire nights ? Got it Spitfire Summer ?

Edited July 27, 2017 by sportsbob

[sportsbob]

Thanks for that I remember it being a good read , its now sat on my desk next to me.

Edited July 27, 2017 by sportsbob

[Scully]

One of the very very best books I have read regarding the Battle of Britain is a book called 'A Piece of Cake' by Derek Robinson. I have read all his books, but this one along with his 'Goshawk Squadron' and the superb 'War Story' I have read several times. The best aerial combat books I have ever read.

[rimfire4969]

Have a look at First Light by Geoffrey Wellam. An incredible first hand account of a young Spitfire pilot during the Battle of Britain.

 

He begins First Light as a fresh-faced, rather obnoxious public schoolboy keen to blag his way into the RAF in March 1939; just three years, two full tours on Spitfires, the Battle of Britain, nearly 100 escorts and fighter sweeps over occupied France and a Malta convoy later, Wellum was physically and mentally burnt out before the age of 22. An old man in a boy's body. His descriptions of the excitement, freedom and, at times, sheer terror of operating in a three-dimensional airspace are vividly powerful, but perhaps his greatest gift is to get across the way the fatigue and the emotional shutting off creeps up unnoticed.

Edited July 27, 2017 by rimfire4969

[keeper96]

I believe spitfire summer may be the one!! Thanks sportsbob

 

I've just read first Light, brilliant book and I might have to have another flick through in the near future

 

Jamie

[timmytree]

One of the very very best books I have read regarding the Battle of Britain is a book called 'A Piece of Cake' by Derek Robinson. I have read all his books, but this one along with his 'Goshawk Squadron' and the superb 'War Story' I have read several times. The best aerial combat books I have ever read.

I was given a set of his books but gave them to a charity shop when I realized they were novels. Pure fiction.

[Scully]

I was given a set of his books but gave them to a charity shop when I realized they were novels. Pure fiction.

Yes, they are fiction; but all events, statistics, strategy, tactics, technical aspects regarding aircraft and their capabilities are based on fact.

There is also a relevant section at the end of the first novel explaining just why the Germans could never have invaded Britain.

Well worth a read.

[bruno22rf]

Not only could they not invade Scully but the Germans never brought Fighter Command to it's knees.

Edited July 29, 2017 by bruno22rf

[Scully]

Not only could they not invade Scully but the Germans never bought Fighter Command to it's knees.

 

[bruno22rf]

The Books Bomber Command and Fighter Command losses books tell the real story of just how many men died - those who survived were treated like War Criminals in the case of Bomber crews - sometimes this country should simply bow it's head in shame.