Fighter Boys by Patrick Bishop

[dieg777]

Book Fighter Boys
Author : Patrick Bishop
Pages : 406
Photos : 40
Published : 2004

Yes this is another story of the Battle of Britain but I think it is a very worthwhile addition.
It is the story of the RAF pilots who flew in the Battle of Britain.
It covers their experiences from the expansion of the RAF, during the time that war threatened, through the famous battle and on to the start of the “stretching forward into France” Rhubarbs and Circuses.
He quotes from a variety of sources including pilot’s biographies, Imperial War museum papers and previously published books, pulling these together to give a vivid and compelling picture of this time.
The first third of the book is taken up with the pre battle history; the next third covers the battle of France, Dunkirk and the channel raids with the final third concentrating on the Battle itself.
This is not a technical or strategic book, nor is it a dry textbook history but a well written narrative. The author concentrates on the pilots and their lives. He covers their background, training, flying and recreation; in an attempt to build a complete picture of what it was like to be a fighter pilot during this period.
This book gives a good overall picture of this historic time and nicely draws together some of the other books and biographies I have read on the same subject. It is a fitting tribute to the 2,917 RAF airmen who flew in the Battle, of whom 544 were killed. A further 795 died before the end of the war, making an approximate of 46 % for the total fatality rate.