RAF Fighters, June 1940

Interesting to read about the Richey/Robinson debacle – something I’d never heard of. I myself have both books but have never noticed anything similar about them in any way, shape or form. In fact, I read “Fighter Pilot” not that long ago, and “Piece of Cake” not long after, and didn’t see it. Oh well…

I shall have a look-see at Fighter Pilot to see what info I can glean from it.

Might just “have” to watch “Piece of Cake” on video, too, if only for the scene where Hoof Proudfoot rolls Spitfire IA AR213 over the cliffs – awesome! 🙂

how about…

A great book to read on this subject is Paul Richey’s superb personal account of flying with No.1 Squadron during the Battle of France: ‘Fighter Pilot’.
Anyone who hasn’t read it must as soon as possible. The book is written by Paul directly from his pilots notes and personal diary from that period.
I must have read it 5 times already, but its a book you just cannot put down!

Infact, along the lines of A Piece of Cake, I very much enjoyed the dramatised production by ITV. And would like to read the novel at some point.
Interestingly, i recall Paul Richey had persued extensive copyright action upon Derek Robinson because he used (manipulated) personal accounts from ‘Fighter Pilot’ without crediting or asking for prior consent.
Can’t remember what happened in the end, i think it all turned out right.
I know when i was reading ‘Fighter Pilot’, i did find the similarities to Piece of Cake.

This probably doesnt help much, but, Fighter Pilot is a jolly good read. Its Interesting, Emotional, Descriptive, Rather British and above all True.

“‘Squadron Airborne’ by Elleston Trevor is my No 1 1940’s RAF ficton. I have a feeling that the author’s name was only a pen-name and that he’s better known by another name! Am I right or did I imagine it????”

Sadly,Elleston Trevor died a couple of years ago.His name was given as the above in the obituary,so I presume it was his real name rather than a pen name.I don’t remember any mention of a pen name being made.
I’ve read ‘Squadron Airborne’ aswell,and yep,it’s a cracking read. I bought a first edition at a car boot sale somehwere and it had that atmospheric smell that only an old book can have,which somehow adds to the experience of reading it. 🙂

‘Squadron Airborne’ by Elleston Trevor is my No 1 1940’s RAF ficton. I have a feeling that the author’s name was only a pen-name and that he’s better known by another name! Am I right or did I imagine it????

In ‘The Fighter Boys’ by Patrick Bishop, one section covers operations in France particularly by Hurricane squadrons.
mmitch.

I’ve read Piece of Cake at least SIX times since buying the book a few years ago – has to be the best 1940-era novel written, but then that’s only my opinion! The TV series was amazing, too. Must go out and buy a new copy of the book – my old one’s a bit battered!

Wasn’t quite sure what a ‘real’ squadron would have actually done, but I took a guess that some might have been reformed and sent north, and others sent on leave. Decisions, decisions…!

Thanks for the links and info, too. If anyone can think of anything else, feel free to add it to the mix.

Why don’t you try e-mailing the RAF Museum Hendon at – [email]info@rafmuseum.com[/email] ? I’m sure they could help in some way, or at least point you in the right direction.

‘Twelve days in May’ by B.Cull, B.Lander & H.Weiss (Grub Street) covers the fighters during the air battles of 10th-21st May, and touches on the period up to Dunkirk.

Re No 607 sqdn, their Operations Record Book for June 1940 begins- ‘During the last few days of May officers, NCO’s and men of the squadron arrived at Croydon Airport by various routes for re-forming after evacuation from France.’ There’s no mention of leave and new pilots begin to arrive from the 1st June onwards.

Hi Daz,

If you know the squadron numbers then you will find their movements in the Fighter Command section.

http://www.rafcommands.com/Fighter/indexF.html

Regards
Ross

Not quite what you want, but Derek Robinson does cover this quite well in Piece of Cake.

The remnants of Hornet Squadron are sent on leave but due to foul-ups they have no pay, eventually drifting back piecemeal to the field at which they are reforming.

Real life?

Dunno.

Moggy