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Nine Lives
The renowned autobiography of New Zealand's most famous RAF pilot who saw action from the Munich Crisis to the invasion of France in 1944. Al Deere experienced the drama of the early days of the Battle of Britain while serving with Spitfire squadrons based at Hornchurch and Manston, and his compelling story tells of the successes and frustrations of those critical weeks. Deere's nine lives are the accounts of his fantastic luck in escaping from seemingly impossible situations. During the Battle of Britain he parachuted from stricken aircraft on three occasions and once was blown up by a bomb while taking off from Hornchurch during an attack on the airfield. In March 1943 Deere was appointed Wing Commander of the famous Biggin Hill Wing and by the end of the war, his distinguished 'score' was destroyed twenty-two, probables ten and damaged eighteen.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1959
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 26, 2023
An outstanding autobiography covering the Battle of Britain and British air operations through D-day, by one of the most famous operational commanders of the RAF.
Alan Deere is mentioned, in glowing terms, by many of the RAF pilots who wrote autobiographies. You understand why when you read his book and discover his personality, his commitment, and his smarts. His book is strong in personal memories, but also discusses knowledgeably what worked and what didn't in the Battle of Britain. It is rare because not many of the Battle of Britain ("The Few") pilots made it to top operational management positions (wing, then group), and can both tell personal pilot stories and discuss organization and policy decisions for the RAF.
This book is an exceptional war document for those interested in the fight between the RAF and the Luftwaffe between 1939 and 1944.
Alan Deere is mentioned, in glowing terms, by many of the RAF pilots who wrote autobiographies. You understand why when you read his book and discover his personality, his commitment, and his smarts. His book is strong in personal memories, but also discusses knowledgeably what worked and what didn't in the Battle of Britain. It is rare because not many of the Battle of Britain ("The Few") pilots made it to top operational management positions (wing, then group), and can both tell personal pilot stories and discuss organization and policy decisions for the RAF.
This book is an exceptional war document for those interested in the fight between the RAF and the Luftwaffe between 1939 and 1944.
May 28, 2018
Cods the size of Pluto.
September 22, 2018
From the perspective of 2018 Deere's language, attitudes and writing style seem archaic. However, if you can get past that, he has an incredible story.
One evening I put the book down and realized I was about halfway through. At that point Deere had survived an accidental crash landing and being shot down four times, including a mid-air collision with a German fighter, and having the wing blown off his Spitfire while taking off during a bombing raid.
The sequence at the end of movie Dunkirk where Farrier (Tom Hardy) lands his Spitfire on the beach was likely inspired by Deere's true life Dunkirk experience, although unlike the fictional Farrier, Deere made it back to the British lines and was evacuated by the Royal Navy.
One evening I put the book down and realized I was about halfway through. At that point Deere had survived an accidental crash landing and being shot down four times, including a mid-air collision with a German fighter, and having the wing blown off his Spitfire while taking off during a bombing raid.
The sequence at the end of movie Dunkirk where Farrier (Tom Hardy) lands his Spitfire on the beach was likely inspired by Deere's true life Dunkirk experience, although unlike the fictional Farrier, Deere made it back to the British lines and was evacuated by the Royal Navy.
December 6, 2017
Excellent account of days in battle, very straight forward and simple writing style makes it easy to consume.
May 26, 2020
Great primary source of Dunkirk and battle of Britain.
March 27, 2018
"to my query, 'guess what, darling?' she answered, 'you have baled out again.'"
if i thought the title was exaggerating, my opinion has been corrected. i lost count of the aircraft the author wrecked throughout the book (MANY), and the number of times he ended up crashing into bystanders' farms, usually to grumble about a broken wristwatch or a missing jacket.
predominantly optimistic on the topic of war, he also highlights some of the darker sides of air warfare; the high casualties, long hours, low provisions, and what taking a metal death trap into the sky four times a day will do to you, mentally and physically. he also addresses some of the controversy around the RAF at the time, things that are still brought up today. informative, funny, sad, and just generally unbelievable.
"by the way, al, did you know that the two new pilots due in today are both new zealanders?"
"good, we need some more stuffing in the squadron," chipped in colin who was standing nearby.
"anyone would think our troubles will be solved by the arrival of two of your countrymen. if they lose as many aircraft as al, we'll have nothing to fly at the end of the week."
what a legend.
if i thought the title was exaggerating, my opinion has been corrected. i lost count of the aircraft the author wrecked throughout the book (MANY), and the number of times he ended up crashing into bystanders' farms, usually to grumble about a broken wristwatch or a missing jacket.
predominantly optimistic on the topic of war, he also highlights some of the darker sides of air warfare; the high casualties, long hours, low provisions, and what taking a metal death trap into the sky four times a day will do to you, mentally and physically. he also addresses some of the controversy around the RAF at the time, things that are still brought up today. informative, funny, sad, and just generally unbelievable.
"by the way, al, did you know that the two new pilots due in today are both new zealanders?"
"good, we need some more stuffing in the squadron," chipped in colin who was standing nearby.
"anyone would think our troubles will be solved by the arrival of two of your countrymen. if they lose as many aircraft as al, we'll have nothing to fly at the end of the week."
what a legend.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews