Is a great book. And a whole lot more is in it than when I last read it, in the late 1960’s – it was in our school library, and I remember using a quote from it in a project.
Cheers Pierre, if you ever read this. I Thank You and all Your Colleagues, and respect is due to your adversaries too.
I am emotionally moved by much of the content, especially the so so sad losses on both sides, so vividly portrayed – particularly towards the end of the book.
By: RobAnt - 29th October 2004 at 19:20
My headmaster was not pleased, called me in for a stern lecture on the need to pick scholastic tomes
Proof, if any were needed, that some people – Headmasters or not – simply don’t understand what makes good literature.
By: Swiss Mustangs - 29th October 2004 at 09:17
Yup – one of my first aviation related books and partially responsible for my interest. Read the German edition (from the 50’s published in Switzerland).
There it says “Red-nosed Mustang piloted by Captain Beeson”
actually, I have a few copies (in German) to give away. If interested, PM, please.
Martin
By: Blue Leader - 29th October 2004 at 09:04
Yep, 20-odd extra chapters and the whole book bought up to date, complete with his own combat reports.
A fantastic book just got better.
Who would have thought though that paper rationing would have been the cause of the abridged version?
By: Skybolt - 28th October 2004 at 23:05
I remember choosing “The Big Show” as a school subject prize in the early 1950’s and to balance the picture chose “I flew for the Fuhrer” as my second prize. My headmaster was not pleased, called me in for a stern lecture on the need to pick scholastic tomes, but failed totally and I was immensely pleased to get my choices. A pair of good books then and now.
Cheers,
Trapper 69
By: DazDaMan - 28th October 2004 at 21:49
I’ve read the book and from memory I don’t think it does.
By: ENFB - 28th October 2004 at 20:34
I just learned (from an ad in FlyPast) that my favourite aviation book has been reprinted, with “new” content. Does anybody know if he’s added info about the times when he was shot down?
By: Blue Leader - 19th July 2004 at 11:08
Wow, This is my favourit book, where can I get a copy of the expanded version? when did it come out?
I have a signed copy of the original, plus ‘Flames in the sky’ & Leo 25 airborn’ both good reads.
Steve 🙂
By: Dan Johnson - 18th July 2004 at 07:22
The book isn’t entirely accurate, there’s at least one blinding (imv) typo. Towards the end of the book (hardback P302), he is asked to lead on attack on Grossenbrode that same evening:
” ‘Synchronise you watches….. It’s 2007 hours. Engine start-up at 1815 hours’ “
There is no clarifaction regarding the “red-nosed P47” (not P51, please note – Page 98 final paragrah).
Hmmm, since the 4th never had red nosed P47s that still doesn’t work. Oh well, gonna get a copy of the new,expanded edition anyway
Still a great read.
Dan
By: Snapper - 17th July 2004 at 23:16
It’s not accurate. Pierre was ‘telling a story’. Still a good book though. Especially my copy – signed F/Lt Pierre ‘Clo-Clo’ Clostermann + decorations…
By: RobAnt - 17th July 2004 at 22:41
The book isn’t entirely accurate, there’s at least one blinding (imv) typo. Towards the end of the book (hardback P302), he is asked to lead on attack on Grossenbrode that same evening:
” ‘Synchronise you watches….. It’s 2007 hours. Engine start-up at 1815 hours’ “
There is no clarifaction regarding the “red-nosed P47” (not P51, please note – Page 98 final paragrah).
By: Dan Johnson - 17th July 2004 at 01:08
Complete & unabridged, according to the cover. From memory, it would appear to be at least twice as big, possibly more.
Parts of the text now refer to events and clarifications uncovered in the 1990’s.
There is also a number of appendices, too.
Those clarifications would be helpful as there were clearly parts where he had the time frame wrong.
Not complaining as I very much enjoyed it, but running into a red nose Mustang flown by Major Beeson on October 14, 1943 just didn’t happen. April 44 maybe but no Mustangs with the 4th in October 43. The only date that looks like it could fit would really be March 5, 1944 when Beeson got shot up a bit. Photo from “Escort to Berlin” by Fry and Ethell
Dan
By: DazDaMan - 17th July 2004 at 00:42
I bought this new edition recently, too, and I’m really looking forward to reading it. It does appear a good bit larger than the version I have – at least by a third!
By: RobAnt - 17th July 2004 at 00:32
Complete & unabridged, according to the cover. From memory, it would appear to be at least twice as big, possibly more.
Parts of the text now refer to events and clarifications uncovered in the 1990’s.
There is also a number of appendices, too.
By: JDK - 17th July 2004 at 00:18
How much is different, would you say? Is it an ‘uncensored’ version?
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July 16, 2004 at 11:08 pm