- Paperback: 176 pages
- Publisher: Cassell Military; New Ed edition (12 Sep 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0304363391
- ISBN-13: 978-0304363391
- Product Dimensions: 1.9 x 13.3 x 19.7 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
112,573 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #65 in Books > Biography > War & Espionage > Air Force
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Product Description
Product Description
Originally published anonymously in 1941, this was the first and finest story of a fighter pilot in World War Two. Based on the author's personal journal, it is the classic account of the part played by RAF No.1 Squadron in the air battles that preceded the fall of France in 1940. Beginning on the day the squadron arrived in France, the book recounts the unnerving lull of the 'Sitzkrieg' and the sudden crescendo of violence and crushing fatigue of almost non-stop combats during the 'Blitzkrieg'. Imbued with the Great War traditions of chivalry, Richey and his comrades accorded the enemy fighter squadron mercy and respect, until the disillusion of witnessing the Luftwaffe's callous attacks on helpless refugees changed all that. It was then that the skills and elan of the RAF'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 - for the loss of three pilots killed, two wounded, and one prisoner of war. As Paul Richey wrote: 'It seems - and I believed it was - a miracle.'
From the Back Cover
'One of the greatest and most stirring tales a fighting man has ever told' Evening Standard
Paul Richey landed his Hawker Hurricane in France in 1939. He was 23 years old and, like the rest of RAF No 1 Squadron, he believed in the principles of the Great War: mercy and respect. But Richey and his comrades were savagely confronted with the new realities of war. Shocked by the horror of the Luftwaffe's callous attacks on refugees, the skills of the RAF's premier fighter squadron were deployed to devastating effect.
The result was an outstanding combat record. By the time the Squadron was withdrawn it had destroyed a total of 155 enemy aircraft - for the loss of just three pilots. Richey began his journal the day he arrived in France and all the thrills, adrenaline-rushes and sheer terror of dog-fighting are captured by a man discovering for himself the true nature of the deadly combat in which he is engaged.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
This superb account of a fighter pilot's adventures during the Battle of France in 1940 remains one of the finest British wartime autobiographies. A beautifully written and unpretentious classic that grips the reader from start to finish.
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
There are few first hand accounts in English of the fighting in France in May and June 1940, as the French army collapsed and the Germans marched into Paris. Paul Richey, a pilot with RAF No1 Squadron flying Mk 1 Hurricanes, describes the success of the Hurricane against overwhelming odds, with handfuls of RAF fighters being deployed against massed German bombers and their accompanying fighters. No I Squadron performed amazingly, by the time it was withdrawn from France it had shot down 155 German aircraft, 114 of them in ten days. The Squadron had three pilots killed.
The author also expressing his love of France and notes the work of fifth columnists who killed allied officers and disturbed communications. When he was shot down for the third time he was operated on in the American Hospital in Paris and describes the terrible atmosphere in June 1940 as Paris prepared for its occupation.
The author also expressing his love of France and notes the work of fifth columnists who killed allied officers and disturbed communications. When he was shot down for the third time he was operated on in the American Hospital in Paris and describes the terrible atmosphere in June 1940 as Paris prepared for its occupation.
As he returned to England and looked down from the air, he writes that he "saw a game of cricket in progress on a village pitch. With my mind still filled with the blast and flame that had shattered France, I was seized with utter disgust at the smug insular contentedness England enjoyed behind her sea barrier."
Paul Richey was not only a hero, he can also write well and brings the flavour of those terrible times to life.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I am lucky enough to have read this in the first edition of 1941, which belonged to my grandfather. The book was originally published anonymously and the dust jacket still bears the price of 6s. This original edition added even more to the authenticity of "Fighter Pilot's" experiences.
Even if you do not have a first edition, this is a terrific book. The tension of seemingly endless waiting interspersed with high-adrenaline air combat grips you from start to finish. The feeling of excitement, fear, comradeship, honour, humanity and patriotism is wonderfully portrayed.
I quote a review from the dust jacket from Sir John Squire in "The Illustrated London News": "The senses of beauty, of humour and of compassion are always with him, and a rare gift of clean, clear English...The whole book is so decent and modest and brave and gay that it seems almost vulgar to mention the fact."
Even if you do not have a first edition, this is a terrific book. The tension of seemingly endless waiting interspersed with high-adrenaline air combat grips you from start to finish. The feeling of excitement, fear, comradeship, honour, humanity and patriotism is wonderfully portrayed.
I quote a review from the dust jacket from Sir John Squire in "The Illustrated London News": "The senses of beauty, of humour and of compassion are always with him, and a rare gift of clean, clear English...The whole book is so decent and modest and brave and gay that it seems almost vulgar to mention the fact."
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Must read
Where this book differs most obviously from the other memoirs that I have read of WW2 fighter pilots is the fact that it was first published in 1941. Read more
Published 13 months ago by S Hewett
You can smell the petrol
Fighter Pilot was written by a young Paul Richey in 1940, originally from his diary and then-recent recollections. Read more
Published 15 months ago by John Middleton
Fighter Pilot
This is a book which concentrates on a very short period of aerial warfare early in World War II. It is an excellent book. Read more
Published 16 months ago by fadingcraft
Honest book
A simply written and wonderful, personal and honest narrative about a fighter pilot life in France 1940. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Aldonio Silva
A book and its cover
One might think that a book simply titled 'Fighter Pilot' might be just another of the type; not so. Read more
Published 21 months ago by R. A. Fallows
Shows the phoneyness of the Phoney War
I have this book in hardback from the 1942 printing. The fact that it is still in print demonstrates the quality of the writing. Read more
Published on 7 May 2009 by Paul T Horgan
Unputdownable - absolutely brilliant
This book covers the often forgotten air war over France in 1940, which preceded the Battle of Britain.
I cannot praise "Fighter Pilot" too highly. Read more
Published on 15 Aug 2001 by Philip Ward
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