Just finished the book first light which I got for Christmas. Amazing insight into the life of a young Geofrey Wellum. The film was good but not a patch on the book half of which covers his induction and training. Thrown straight in to an operational Squadron without ever having flown a Spitfire.
Its hard to imagine how these young Pilots coped with the strain of the Battle and then on to operations over Europe. At age 21 He was finished as an operational Pilot.
In my work I tend to concentrate on the hardwear, reading a book like this re awakens the personal interest and reminds me just what it was all about.
A brave man and a true Hero. I recomend this book not many biographys I have read illustrate the human cost of being a Fighter Pilot as well as this one.
By: DazDaMan - 2nd January 2011 at 22:48
Fantastic book. I’ve read it twice now, and it’s long overdue for a read….
The recent TV adaptation was great, but I would LOVE to see this done on a big scale.
By: Stepwilk - 2nd January 2011 at 22:21
Thanks for the post. Just bought the book–Kindle edition, in the U. S.
By: Graham Adlam - 2nd January 2011 at 20:10
When you think he is only 23 or 24 in the second picture. 🙁
By: DCK - 2nd January 2011 at 15:10
The strain on that mans face after so many years of war. It’s heartbreaking
By: Graham Adlam - 2nd January 2011 at 14:05
It’s also, if I remember correctly, written in present tense which makes every word just that much more tense and alive.
Quite agree just started reading Spitfire Pilot written during the war by a Pilot killed in 44. Although its a good read its written in an entirely different way glossing over the obvious strain of combat.
Geoffrey was very young, joined the RAF at 17 and a well experianced battle hardened Pilot 18 months after leaving school. I would imagine it took a much greater toll on these very young Pilots as compared to someone like Stanford Tuck who had quite a bit of life experiance before the RAF.
A Pilot who was a good Friend of mine Squadron Leader Dave Glaser also flew in the Battle with 65 Squadron at 19 years old and continued operationally until the end of the war, I just cannot imagine how he coped all the way through with a total of 3000 hours on operations.
You can get an idea of the physical effects when you compare his pictures in 1940 and 1945 he looks 20 years older!
By: StevSmar - 2nd January 2011 at 13:44
Thanks for posting, I will look forward to reading his book.
Regards,
By: dailee1 - 2nd January 2011 at 13:21
First light
The thing I like about this book is that having read it through once, you can return and dip into it anywhere, and you are immediately back in the thick of the action.
A veritable must for any aviation Enthusiast or historian
By: inkworm - 2nd January 2011 at 11:31
One of those books that can be re-read many times and still just as gripping every time.
By: DCK - 2nd January 2011 at 09:56
It’s also, if I remember correctly, written in present tense which makes every word just that much more tense and alive.
By: roadracer - 2nd January 2011 at 09:43
Have to agree with all the comments, one hell of a book . The accounts of the account are vivid,the what was mundane day to day stuff, the loss of friends,the honest way he deals with the changes within, make this one of the best personal accounts I have read.
We are very lucky that society and attitudes have changed enough to allow such truthfull accounts to be published. Not that many years ago such honesty about stress and combat fatigue would have been frowned upon.
By: Sky High - 2nd January 2011 at 09:30
As I think recorded in another thread this is the WW2 book I like most. It has an energy, an innocence and a truth which many other very worthy stories do not quite match. I felt as if I was with Geoff every inch of his way through those terrible but life enhancing years. And of course it reflects the man as we have come to know him.
By: piper28 - 2nd January 2011 at 09:14
Yes,I couldn’t agree more,I my opinion one of the finest books ever on ww2 aviation,and beautifully written,along with ‘Diary of a bomb aimer’ by Campbell Muirhead,also tragic but Showed a terrific sense of humour and fun at such dark times.Happy new year to all!
By: PeterVerney - 1st January 2011 at 20:21
I found First Light to be an absolutely compelling read. To think that he was under 19 when he joined his squadron.!!
As you say the mental cost was huge, no counselling in those days. Just a trip to the pub !
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January 1, 2011 at 7:11 pm