Nicky Barr, An Australian Air Ace: A Story of Courage and Adventure

by Peter Dornan

This compelling personal account of an Australian World War II fighter pilot reveals the experiences of one who earned a reputation among allies and enemies alike for his acts of bravery, his selflessness, his dogged determination, and an infectious sense of humor. Nicky Barr shot down 14 enemy planes, and was subsequently shot down three times himself and captured as a prisoner of war in Italy, where he escaped four separate times. Exploring adventure, war, courage, the terror of mortality--and the love for his wife that sustained him through it all, his story provides insight into the power of the human spirit and its determination to survive.

Genres: Nonfiction

272 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2002

Reviews

[Tony · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had never heard of Nicky Barr before reading this book which is a shame because he is certainly an Australian Wartime hero. His deeds and acts are really remarkable and he deserves wider Australian recognition for his efforts. The book however, especially the first half, gets bogged down a little and my eyes started to glaze over with the detailed descriptions of planes, missions etc The second half is a lot better and this is when you start to know more of Barr, what makes him tick and learn of his incredible survival skills. The story is a great one but I think it could have been told a lot better. I note that Peter Fitzsimons is quoted on he front cover of my version and I couldn't help but think that Fitzsimons would have done a better job at telling the story.

[Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

To say I haven't finished the book yet about 1/4 of the way through it but will try and put up another review I've finished the book. Currently way I am it's been great so far, and I really like how the author gives you his early years before the story begins. When it gets round to where he's training at Point Cook, I like how he tells you names of people and friends to give you more of the background and life their as well. the part where I'm up to is when he's in the desert against Rommel's army and he's only flown 2 dogfight mission but many others without any action, these 2 encounters with the enemy are great heart pounding fights it’s feels like your actually taking part in the fight for survival, especially with words like this.

‘Pg39 half way down. As he approached to within firing range, he quickly made sure his gunsight was absolutely right and in on the 110 from below and behind in a 30-degree attack angle. Beads of sweat speckled his forehead and ran down his neck, soaking his shirt, his concentration not wavering from the target… 400…. 300…. 250…. The Me-110 loomed large in the gunsight and the target ahead precluded Nicky from registering any emotion as he pressed gun button. His eyes followed the white ribbons of tracers as they raced from the guns, then watched then chew into the Me-110. With satisfaction, he saw two large pieces of the Messerschmitt slipstream. Maintaining in the intensity he fired again, his bullets this time raking the fuselage and wing. Immediately, orange flames gashes in the body of the stricken plane. He knew he badly damaged the crippled plane and pulled away, up and above the thickening clouds, and was suddenly lost to the battle scene.’

This part from his first air victory it really gets you feel like you’re the one who is flying in this small action scene. It’s a great book and if you like WW2 history from a person who actually fought the war also great for heart racing battles and I hope I can finish this book soon to find out more of his time throughout the war and what he accomplished too. I hope that people read this book because it’s great and you would lose yourself in this book it’s great for losing track of time from its detail and how the it describes his surroundings including the weather in some case, so I honestly hope people will read this so they can enjoy what I’ve been reading so don’t wait and start reading this book now!