They Gave Me a Seafire

by R.M. 'Mike' Crosley

“Superb . . . one of the most honest, candid, and truly delightful memoirs . . . the perfect memorial to one of the Fleet Air Arm’s greats.”—Aircrew Book Review   A classic in every sense of the word, this book charts Commander R. “Mike” Crosley’s service career in the Fleet Air Arm during the entire period of the Second World War. Part of his service saw him in action aboard HMS Eagle, flying Sea Hurricanes on the Harpoon and Pedestal Malta convoys of June and August 1942. It was during this time that he shot down his first enemy aircraft and survived the dramatic sinking of HMS Eagle. From there he graduated on to Seafires, (the Naval equivalent of the Spitfire), and flew this type in Combat Air Patrols over Norway and ramrod strikes from Operation Torch (the invasion of French North Africa in November 1942), through to D-Day in June 1944 in the European Theatre of Operations, and then in the Pacific abroad HMS Implacable as part of the British Pacific Fleet in 1945 until the end of the Pacific War, by which time he had command of his own combined squadron, 801 and 880.  They Gave Me a Seafire sets to bring the endeavors of Crosley to a whole new generation of enthusiasts, and it should appeal across the board to fans of aviation, naval history and families and friends of Armed Forces, past and present.   “The fascinating publication details Mike’s incredible capacity for survival, and sheer skill as a pilot, which were remarked on at the time, securing him a number of decorations.”—Island Life Magazine

Genres: Nonfiction, World War II

554 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 25, 2001

Reviews

[Thomas Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

6 Stars

After a binge of Aviation Biographies this one is the “bomb”.
Written with a keen sense humour, compassion and honesty it propels you into one of the finest chapters of English history, warts and all.

[Dave Hartley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is highly illuminating and compelling account of the period 1939-1946. The Author charts the journey from complete novice to one of the most experienced pilots in the Fleet Air Arm. I learnt so much reading this about life as a royal Navy pilot, the somewhat second class status compared to the RAF, the complete ignorance of the Royal Navy leadership on what, how, where to use aircraft in WW2, most having never even been in an aircraft.

But above all I was more and more in awe of his ability to survive such an extended campaign when so many talented pilots were getting killed, not by enemy fire, but equipment failure, Naval incompetence, or just bad luck.

He survived and told the tale. One which I wholeheartedly encourage you to discover. Their bravery and courage should never be forgotten.

[John A. Hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the story of Commander R. “Mike” Crosley’s career in the Fleet Air Arm during WW2 and is one of the best WW2 memoirs I have read. We start with a bit of background, then move to his time in the Met Police, before he eventually manages to join up (police being a protected profession). Crosley goes through basic training and is soon posted.
In the Mediterranean Crosley is aboard HMS Eagle when she is sunk, and he also records his first victory in a Hurricane. He then moves to Seafires (the Navy’s version of the Spitfire) and takes part in operations around Norway, the invasion of North Africa, D-Day and then moves to the Pacific until the end of the war.
This is a tremendous read on many levels, from the description of the flying, to his knowledge of the aircraft and its shortcomings, to his (fair) criticism of some of the leadership in the navy. However, it is the honesty as well. It is heart-breaking to read of how many of his comrades die in accidents, from poor air traffic control, to wings being pulled from aircraft. The last quarter of the book is a series of technical Appendices which some (myself included) will LOVE.
Absolutely fantastic!

[W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fine aircraft hitory

I really enjoyed his book, learning a lot about the life of a WWll pilot, and the challenges of proving the worth of airpower over the obsolete power of surface warships. The author also personalized his experiences in an affecting way.

[bernard j denver · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is the greatest book ever of the FAA in WWII.

I knew personally Cpt Eric Brown who is considered to be the worlds greatest aviator. Now another name must be added .The author of this book
Mike Crowley.

[Chris Kloss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book. Loved the technical details. Loved the history and the insights. I am an ex-aircraft designer and a follower of WW2 air history. Whatever accolades the author got he sure deserves.

[David Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

He gave me pleasure.

Thoroughly enjoyed this biography. Fact based and unassuming. As soon flyer I especially enjoyed the technical aspects of aircraft design and the issues explained in the appendices.

[Rita Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on the British Fleet Air arm

One of the best I've read on carrier Aviation. The book tells a great story about the hardships and hazards of carrier pilots. A must read!

[MR P J GREEN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Almost unbelievable

This book brings home the resilience of the carrier pilots
I find myself in awe of the activities of the air Crewes and the support staff through difficult moments
We should all feel proud of all of them.

[Uncle Dave Avis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very tedious. More than half the book is taken up with the many details of training. I thought it was boring.

[Mrs J Gibson]

Excellent, well written book which once again showed how brave our forces were during WW2 for which I am very grateful.

[Michael Henk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shibldey cock!

No ghhu. Hhhh. Hggggn. Jjnh njjjjh. Jhhhgh Deedee dd dfccddddf fdgg. Ygf fftff ggvccv zdxff. Jesus chtrftt! Gtthtfce ffhr tfggy.

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good account of a British Naval Pilot during World War II. Not many survived his job. Nicely written with just enough technical information.

[Steve Langford · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book about life in the Fleet Air Arm during WWII. This is a very straight forward account telling it as it was; the bravery, the mistakes, the sheer ineptitude of some of the top brass who sent these men to war.

It goes into the technicalities of flying, The aircraft and the tactics in a way many books of this kind ignore. You begin to appreciate how certain aircraft were ideal for certain types of combat. Appallingly this was often not appreciated by the top brass, leading to more casualties than necessary.

They were very brave men taking off from, and landing on, aircraft carriers in rough seas, poor weather conditions and often at night. More men were lost to accidents than to enemy action.

[Richard Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible autobiography of a navy wartime pilot

So hard to comprehend how brave this man and his ilk where. This book is a fascinating mixture of technical explanations, wartime experiences and naval ineptitude as far as the navy top brass are concerned that I’ve now totally revised my view of the Royal Navy- and not all of it good. A brilliant book.

[D.M. Fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flying in the navy

Excellent account of the Fleet Air Arm as it really was. What a lot of blunderers those in charge sometimes are. Never knew the Falklands War was so riddled with elementary errors. But then no doubt these were covered up.

[Ian Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting personal account of the author's service in the wartime RN Fleet Air Arm.

[Ian Dempster · Rating 3 out of 5]

He seems to have gone on many combat patrols that he didn't write about. I want to hear about those over the stories about training. I think he used too much jargon.