FIGHTER PILOT A PERSONAL RECORD OF THE CAMPAIGN IN FRANCE 1939-40 WING COMMANDER PAUL RICHEY GUILD PUBLISHING 1990 24 x 16 cm. 145 pp + b/w photo plates. HB/DJ "The first and finest story of a fighter pilot in World War II". So Group Captain Peter Townsend DSO, DFC described Paul Richey's classic account of the part played by No.l Squadron in the air battles against overwhelming odds that preceded the fall of France in 1940. Based on a personal journal begun on the day his squadron landed in France and kept up through the destabilizing lull of the 'Sitzkrieg' and the sudden crescendo of violence and crushing fatigue of almost non-stop combats during the 'Blitzkrieg', FIGHTER PILOT is the moving story of a young man's confrontation with the brutal truths of war. Imbued with Great War traditions of chivalry in the air, Richey and his comrades accorded the enemy mercy and respect, until the disillusionment of witnessing the Luftwaffe's callous attacks on helpless refugees changed all that. It was then that the skills and elan of the Royal Air Force's premier fighter squadron were turned to even greater account, and the result was a remarkable combat record. By the time they withdrew from France on 18 June 1940, No.1 Squadron had destroyed a total of 155 enemy aircraft - 114 of them in only ten days (all confirmed on the ground) -for the loss of three pilots killed, two wounded and one prisoner of war. As Paul Richey wrote: 'It seemed - and I believe it was - a miracle'.

FIGHTER PILOT
A PERSONAL RECORD OF THE CAMPAIGN IN FRANCE
1939-1940

WING COMMANDER PAUL RICHEY

GUILD PUBLISHING
1990

"The first and finest story of a fighter pilot in World War II". So Group Captain Peter Townsend DSO, DFC described Paul Richey's classic account of the part played by No.l Squadron in the air battles against overwhelming odds that preceded the fall of France in 1940. Based on a personal journal begun on the day his squadron landed in France and kept up through the destabilizing lull of the 'Sitzkrieg' and the sudden crescendo of violence and crushing fatigue of almost non-stop combats during the 'Blitzkrieg', FIGHTER PILOT is the moving story of a young man's confrontation with the brutal truths of war.

Imbued with Great War traditions of chivalry in the air, Richey and his comrades accorded the enemy mercy and respect, until the disillusionment of witnessing the Luftwaffe's callous attacks on helpless refugees changed all that. It was then that the skills and elan of the Royal Air Force's premier fighter squadron were turned to even greater account, and the result was a remarkable combat record. By the time they withdrew from France on 18 June 1940, No.1 Squadron had destroyed a total of 155 enemy aircraft - 114 of them in only ten days (all confirmed on the ground) -for the loss of three pilots killed, two wounded and one prisoner of war. As Paul Richey wrote: 'It seemed - and I believe it was - a miracle'.

24 x 16 cm. 145 pp + b/w photo plates.

Very good condition, pages age toned and with some light foxing to the edges, previous owner's name on front free endpaper, otherwise clean and tidy.




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