A Battle Of Britain Spitfire Squadron

Author : Danny Burt
Publisher : Casemate Publishers
Page : 218 pages
File Size : 40,8 Mb
Release : 2018-11-30
Category : History
ISBN : 9781473899988

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A Battle of Britain Spitfire Squadron by Danny Burt Pdf

Formed at Rochford on 1 October 1918, just weeks before the Armistice that ended the First World War, 152 (Hyderabad) Squadron was originally a night fighter unit equipped with the Sopwith Camel. Its existence was short-lived, for the squadron was disbanded on 30 June 1919.With war clouds looming over Europe once more, 152 Squadron reformed at Arklington on 1 October 1939, becoming operational just over four weeks later. In January 1940, conversion to Spitfires began and after a period of defensive patrols in the North East, the squadron moved to Warmwell in Dorset to help defend southern England against attacks from the Luftwaffe forces now based in northern France. Throughout the Battle of Britain, the men and machines of 152 Squadron, call sign Maida, defended the Warmwell sector, which included the vital Royal Navy base at Portland, as part of 10 Group. It is the period from 12 July to 28 November 1940 that the author examines in great depth and detail in this definitive account. This, then, is the story of one squadrons part in the struggle to defend Britain during those dark days in the summer of 1940.

Author : Brian Lane
Publisher : Amberley Publishing
Page : 122 pages
File Size : 54,7 Mb
Release : 2009
Category : Air pilots, Military
ISBN : 9781848683549

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Spitfire! by Brian Lane Pdf

The remarkable Battle of Britain experiences of Spitfire pilot Brian Lane, DFC. Brian Lane was only 23 when he when he wrote his dramatic account of life as a Spitfire pilot during the Battle of Britain in the summer of 1940. Lane was an 'ace' with six enemy 'kills' to his credit and was awarded the DFC for bravery in combat. The text is honest and vibrant, and has the immediacy of a book written close the event, untouched, therefore, by the doubts and debates of later years. Here we can read, exactly what it was like to 'scramble', to shoot down Messerschmitts, Heinkels, Dorniers and Stukas and how it felt to lose comrades every day. Squadron Leader Brian Lane DFC was not only an exceptional fighter pilot but likewise a gifted leader, at all levels. In what was still a hierarchical and class conscious culture, 'Chiefy' Lane was different: he knew everyone under his command by first names, no matter how lowly their rank or status, and in the air he was always unflappable, calmly making the right tactical decision and in the process earning unlimited respect amongst pilots and aircrew. All these years later the survivors still speak of him with an unparalleled affection and respect bordering upon a holy reverence. High drama has never before been so characteristically understated, written, as it was, by the 'Finest of the Few'.

Author : Dilip Sarkar
Publisher : Pen and Sword
Page : 486 pages
File Size : 44,7 Mb
Release : 2019-09-30
Category : History
ISBN : 9781526732828

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Spitfire! by Dilip Sarkar Pdf

“A really excellent, detailed, comprehensive and moving history of 19 Squadron, RAF during the Second World War” from the author of Arnhem 1944 (Clash of Steel). As a child, Dilip Sarkar was fascinated by the haunting image of an anonymous RAF Spitfire pilot. Taken minutes after landing from a Battle of Britain combat, this was Squadron Leader Brian Lane DFC, the commander of 19 Squadron, based at Fowlmere. Deeply moving was the discovery that, in 1942, Brian was reported missing after a futile nuisance raid over the Dutch coast. During the mid-1980s, Dilip began researching the life and times of both Brian Lane and 19 Squadron, forging close friendships with many of the unit’s surviving Battle of Britain pilots and support staff. Nearly thirty years later, sadly all of the survivors are now deceased, but Dilip’s close relationship has provided a huge archive of correspondence and interviews in addition to a unique photographic collection. Furthermore, the author, a retired police detective, has thoroughly investigated the life—and death—of Squadron Leader Lane. This completely new Spitfire! covers everything we would ever need to know about such a unit during the critical pre and early war period: the social, political, aviation and military history all in one volume—emphasizing the human experience involved and the stories of casualties. With an immense photographic collection—many published here for the first time—this book is destined to become a classic. “The most thorough book about any squadron in RAF service during the Battle of Britain . . . an impeccable source of information and a gripping story—Most Highly Recommended.” —Firetrench

Author : David Guthrie
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 0 pages
File Size : 50,9 Mb
Release : 1978
Category : Fighter pilots
ISBN : OCLC:1392118807

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Spitfire Squadron by David Guthrie Pdf

Author : Arthur Donahue
Publisher : Amberley Publishing Limited
Page : 128 pages
File Size : 55,8 Mb
Release : 2015-06-15
Category : History
ISBN : 9781445644745

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Life as a Battle of Britain Spitfire Pilot by Arthur Donahue Pdf

The perfect illustrated introduction to the story of the Battle of Britain, daily life as a fighter pilot in the summer of 1940, written by a veteran.

Author : Roger Hall
Publisher : Amberley Publishing Limited
Page : 501 pages
File Size : 45,7 Mb
Release : 2013-09-15
Category : History
ISBN : 9781445609881

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Spitfire Pilot by Roger Hall Pdf

An extraordinary true story of combat in the Battle of Britain. Includes some of the most graphic and atmospheric accounts of air combat between Spitfire and Nazi Messerschmitt fighters ever published.

Author : T. C. G. James
Publisher : Taylor & Francis
Page : 464 pages
File Size : 52,8 Mb
Release : 2000
Category : History
ISBN : 0714681490

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The Battle of Britain by T. C. G. James Pdf

This is the second volume of the classified history of air defence in Great Britain. Written while World War II was still being fought, the account has an analysis of the defensive tactics of Fighter Command, and attempts a day-by-day analysis of the action as it took place.

Author : Flight Lieutenant David Crook DFC
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 96 pages
File Size : 48,7 Mb
Release : 2017-08-23
Category : Electronic
ISBN : 1975711874

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Spitfire Pilot by Flight Lieutenant David Crook DFC Pdf

"Spitfire Pilot" was written in 1940 in the heat of battle when the RAF stood alone against the might of Hitler's Third Reich. It is a tremendous personal account of one of the fiercest and most idealised air conflicts - the Battle of Britain - seen through the eyes of a pilot of the famous 609 Squadron, which shot down over 100 planes in that epic contest.David Moore Crook, DFC (1914 - 1944) was a British fighter pilot and flying ace of the Second World War.After attending the University of Cambridge, he was mobilised as part of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force on the outbreak of war. Flying the Spitfire Crook participated in the Battle of Britain, flying with No. 609 Squadron RAF (at the time this was a squadron of the Auxiliary Air Force). He initially joined the squadron on 22 September 1938 as an acting pilot officer, this rank was confirmed on 4 May 1940, and later further back-dated to 9 December 1939. He destroyed a Junkers Ju 87 of Sturzkampfgeschwader 77 (StG 77) on 9 July, and a Jagdgeschwader 53 (JG 53) Messerschmitt Bf 109 on 13 August. On 15 August 1940, he mistakenly shot down a Blenheim fighter, although the crew was only slightly injured. Two Bf 109's were claimed on 30 September 1940.Flying Spitfire IX EN662 on 18 December 1944 on a high level photographic sortie, Crook was seen to dive into the sea near Aberdeen. He was officially listed as missing in action.

Author : Peter Brown
Publisher : The History Press
Page : 350 pages
File Size : 52,5 Mb
Release : 2016-08-12
Category : History
ISBN : 9780750979771

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Honour Restored by Peter Brown Pdf

At the outbreak of the second World War, Air Chief Marshall Dowding was Commander-in-Chief of RAF Fighter Command, which had been set up three years earlier to protect Britain against attacks from the air and the threat of invasion. London was subjected to extensive night bombing for several months. However, our fighter squadrons and defence systems enabled us to maintain master of the air. The Battle of Britain ended in 1940 and our island was never again under the threat of invasion. Peter Brown, former Battle of Britain Spitfire pilot, presents a vivid account of Britain under the threat of invasion, reminding us of the bravery of our fighter pilots and the courage of the people of Britain who endured the hardships of war and terror bombing from the air. Through personal experience and years of meticulous research Peter offers a careful analysis of the battle and the tactics involved, vigorously defending Dowding's command and exposing the conspiracy of senior officers that saw him removed from office without due recognition for his achievement.

Author : David Crook
Publisher : Greenhill Books
Page : 147 pages
File Size : 44,6 Mb
Release : 2021-07-06
Category : Biography & Autobiography
ISBN : 9781784387495

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Spitfire Pilot by David Crook Pdf

Spitfire Pilot is the exhilarating and moving memoir of D. M. Crook, an airman in the legendary 609 Squadron - one of the most successful RAF units in the Battle of Britain. Beginning with his fond recollections of his halcyon days in training - acrobatics, night flying and languorous days spent playing sport and nights off visiting Piccadilly Circus - Crook goes on to recount in thrilling detail the dogfights, remarkable victories and tragic losses which formed the daily routine of Britain's heroic aerial defenders in that long summer of 1940. Often hopelessly outnumbered, the men of 609 Squadron in their state-of-the-art Spitfires committed acts of unimaginable bravery against the Messerschmitts and Junkers of Germany's formidable Luftwaffe. Many of Crook's fellow airmen did not make it back alive, and the absence they leave in the close-knit community of the squadron is described with great poignancy. Spitfire Pilot offers a unique and personal insight into one of the most critical moments of British history, when a handful of men stood up against the might of the German Air Force in defence of their country. This definitive edition, the first for more than sixty years, includes a new foreword by David Crook's daughter and Air Vice Marshal Sandy Hunter, Honorary Air Commodore of the 609 Squadron. The book also has an introduction by Professor Richard Overy.

Author : Brian Kingcome
Publisher : The History Press
Page : 297 pages
File Size : 45,8 Mb
Release : 2016-08-04
Category : History
ISBN : 9780752473505

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A Willingness to Die by Brian Kingcome Pdf

In 1938 Brian Kingcome joined the RAF with a permanent commission and was posted to No 65 Fighter Squadron at Hornchurch, soon to be equipped with the Spitfire, and so it came about that Brian flew the Spitfire throughout the war. He became acting CO for No 92 Squadron at Biggin Hill and led over sixty operations, achieving the highest success rate of any squadron in the Battle of Britain. In May 1943 Brian joined Desert Air Force in Malta and took command of 244 Wing. At this time he was confirmed Flight Lieutenant, acting Squadron Leader, acting Wing Commander and at twenty-five was one of the youngest Group Captains in the Royal Air Force. Brian Kingcome may have been the last Battle of Britain pilot of repute to put his extraordinary story into print; looked upon by other members of his squadron as possibly their finest pilot, his nonetheless unassuming memoirs are related with a subtle and compassionate regard for a generation who were, as he felt, born to a specific task. Brian's memoirs have been edited and introduced by Peter Ford, ex-National Serviceman in Malaya.

Author : Flt. Lt. D. M. Crook DFC
Publisher : Pickle Partners Publishing
Page : 303 pages
File Size : 44,8 Mb
Release : 2015-11-06
Category : History
ISBN : 9781786257499

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Spitfire Pilot [Illustrated Edition] by Flt. Lt. D. M. Crook DFC Pdf

Includes the Aerial Warfare In Europe During World War II illustrations pack with over 200 maps, plans, and photos. David Moore Cook, or DMC to his friends and colleagues, was one of the valiant “Few” who flew and fought against the Luftwaffe in the summer and autumn of 1940 during the Battle of Britain. A native of Huddersfield, he joined 609 (West Riding) Squadron before the war, the squadron was posted to RAF Middle Wallop in Hampshire north of the vital ports of Southampton and Portsmouth, and was tasked with protection of the English coast. In this gripping account of the combats that raged in the skies above the British mainland, DMC is very modest of his own achievements, which had led by November 1940 to 6 confirmed victories. In recognition of his sterling record he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and assigned to be a flying instructor in late 1940 to help train the pilots who would fill the depleted ranks of fighter command. Having survived the long odds of the Battle of Britain, Flight Lieutenant Crook did not survive the war, he was listed as missing in action during a routine reconnaissance mission off the coast of Scotland.

Author : Anthony Robinson
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 302 pages
File Size : 48,6 Mb
Release : 1987
Category : History
ISBN : UOM:39015017685036

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RAF Fighter Squadrons in the Battle of Britain by Anthony Robinson Pdf

Fortæller om den første større kamp om luftoverlegenhed mellem to nationer set på basis af forholdene ved de engelske jagereskadriller, hvis pilotstyrke og udrustning udviste store variationer fra det autoriserede, og hvis kamperfaring var ringe i forhold til modstandernes.

Author : Donald MacDonell
Publisher : Pen and Sword
Page : 612 pages
File Size : 47,9 Mb
Release : 2006-03-19
Category : History
ISBN : 9781783033720

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From Dogfight to Diplomacy by Donald MacDonell Pdf

MacDonell's service career began in the 1920s. Shortly before the war he became a Squadron Leader and worked at the Air Ministry during the Phoney War. When hostilities commenced he became CO of No 64 Squadron, carrying out convoy support operations and eventually fighting in the Battle of Britain. Awarded a DFC, he was given command of a squadron at Leconfield to train urgently required pilots. Eventually he was shot down over the English Channel and rescued by a U-boat, this resulted in a lengthy period as a PoW in camps throughout enemy occupied Europe and Germany. During this period he was involved with the famous 'Wooden Horse' escape and was eventually freed by advancing Russian troops.Upon his return to the UK he was promoted Wing Commander and worked on the Cabinet Office staff before moving to Headquarters Flying Training Command. He was then appointed Chief Flying Instructor at Cranwell before successfully applying for the post of British Air Attach in Moscow.

Author : Richard Collier
Publisher : Canelo + ORM
Page : 271 pages
File Size : 45,8 Mb
Release : 2021-12-16
Category : History
ISBN : 9781800325883

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Eagle Day by Richard Collier Pdf

This is the gripping story of the Battle of Britain; of some of the most fateful weeks in history. Drawing on eyewitness accounts from both the RAF and the Luftwaffe, this is a compelling story of history in the making through an intensely fought battle, taking the reader into the heart of the action as told by those who fought and experienced it. The book not only captures the often savage reality of the air battles over the Channel and southern England, but it also traces the true course of the Battle of Britain as it unfolded between August 6th and September 15th, 1940 as the German and British Commanders made their fateful decisions, and Spitfires and Messerschmitts whirled and fought in the skies. It was in these six weeks that the fate of the war, and Britain, were to be decided. A classic account of one of the Second World War’s most iconic battles, perfect for readers of Max Hastings or James Holland.