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Ginger Lacey: Fighter Pilot
Ginger Lacey wanted to fly planes from childhood.
But who would have thought that the slim and pale looking boy would become one of the most successful fighter pilots of the war?
Almost unknown outside the RAF, Sgt. Pilot J.H. Lacey shot down more enemy aircraft in the Battle of Britain than any other fighter pilot.
He shot down the Heinkel 111 which had just bombed Buckingham Palace and had the highest score (twenty-three) of enemy aircraft destroyed, as late as 1941.
Thereafter commissioned, early in 1941, he was for a time an instructor at an operational training unit, passing on to others the knowledge that he had won in the toughest series of air battles ever fought.
Returning to operations, he served under another fabulous air fighter, ‘Paddy’ Finucane; then was posted to rocket (airborne weapons) development, a task almost as dangerous as combat flying.
Later he commanded a famous fighter squadron in the Far East. and shot down the first Japanese he encountered.
Unorthodox, autocratic in his command but resentful of unreasonable interference from those above him, Ginger Lacey was a boyish-looking figure with a fantastic gift for leadership, and sharp eyes, bravery and an innate sense of timing.
He died in 1989, but his amazing story was recorded by an experienced writer who was a fellow officer in the RAF until 1951 and knew him well. It is a memorable and stirring biography.
‘The best all action war story yet produced.’ - Yorkshire Post
‘A top-scoring story.’ - Evening Standard
‘Fast-moving biography.’ - Sunday Times
‘The best biography of a fighter pilot ever written.’ - Yorkshire Evening Post
Richard Townsend Bickers volunteered for the RAF on the outbreak of the second world war and served, with a Permanent Commission, for eighteen years. He wrote a range of military fiction and non-fiction books, including ‘Torpedo Attack’, ‘My Enemy Came Nigh’, ‘Bombing Run’, ‘Fighters Up’ and ‘Summer of No Surrender’.
Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent publisher of digital books.
But who would have thought that the slim and pale looking boy would become one of the most successful fighter pilots of the war?
Almost unknown outside the RAF, Sgt. Pilot J.H. Lacey shot down more enemy aircraft in the Battle of Britain than any other fighter pilot.
He shot down the Heinkel 111 which had just bombed Buckingham Palace and had the highest score (twenty-three) of enemy aircraft destroyed, as late as 1941.
Thereafter commissioned, early in 1941, he was for a time an instructor at an operational training unit, passing on to others the knowledge that he had won in the toughest series of air battles ever fought.
Returning to operations, he served under another fabulous air fighter, ‘Paddy’ Finucane; then was posted to rocket (airborne weapons) development, a task almost as dangerous as combat flying.
Later he commanded a famous fighter squadron in the Far East. and shot down the first Japanese he encountered.
Unorthodox, autocratic in his command but resentful of unreasonable interference from those above him, Ginger Lacey was a boyish-looking figure with a fantastic gift for leadership, and sharp eyes, bravery and an innate sense of timing.
He died in 1989, but his amazing story was recorded by an experienced writer who was a fellow officer in the RAF until 1951 and knew him well. It is a memorable and stirring biography.
‘The best all action war story yet produced.’ - Yorkshire Post
‘A top-scoring story.’ - Evening Standard
‘Fast-moving biography.’ - Sunday Times
‘The best biography of a fighter pilot ever written.’ - Yorkshire Evening Post
Richard Townsend Bickers volunteered for the RAF on the outbreak of the second world war and served, with a Permanent Commission, for eighteen years. He wrote a range of military fiction and non-fiction books, including ‘Torpedo Attack’, ‘My Enemy Came Nigh’, ‘Bombing Run’, ‘Fighters Up’ and ‘Summer of No Surrender’.
Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent publisher of digital books.
219 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 1969
About the author
Richard Townshend Bickers
83 books15 followersRichard Leslie Townshend Bickers has written more books about the RAF and its predecessor, the RFC, than any other author past or present - some under a pseudonym. Being multilingual, he does his own research in foreign archives and by interviews and correspondence. His short stories and newspaper articles were first published and broadcast while he was a serving RAF officer. By the time he left the RAF his first four novels had appeared. His biography of his friend "Ginger" Lacey, the top-scoring pilot in the Battle of Britain, was published to acclaim in 1962.Bickers volunteered for the RAF on the outbreak of war and served, with a Permanent Commission, for eighteen years. In England he operated with Fighter and Coastal Commands; in North Africa and Italy with Desert Air Force and Mediterranean Allied Coastal Air Force. After the war he did a tour in Hong Kong and Malaya.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 7, 2021
This is one of the best fighter pilot memoirs I have read from World War 2. It is about Ginger Lacey, the highest scoring Allied ace during the Battle of Britain, and follows his career from his peacetime service before the war, to his peacetime service after it. He flew and fought with the legendary 501 Squadron during the Battle of France and the Battle of Britain, before joining various training schools and ended up commanding 17 Squadron in the East till the surrender of Japan.
The aerial duels is very well described and in great detail, and the life of the pilots and their behaviour during the dark days of 1940 is well and honestly told where they lived as though each day would be their last. His wartime career was very interesting and the book is filled with funny anecdotes from his time in the service. The book was first published in 1962 and this is the reason this is one of the better books as the memory was fresher and told in a more honest opinion. Highly recommended!!
The aerial duels is very well described and in great detail, and the life of the pilots and their behaviour during the dark days of 1940 is well and honestly told where they lived as though each day would be their last. His wartime career was very interesting and the book is filled with funny anecdotes from his time in the service. The book was first published in 1962 and this is the reason this is one of the better books as the memory was fresher and told in a more honest opinion. Highly recommended!!
January 6, 2016
Highest scoring ace in the Battle of Britain. A true hero. Wonderful book and insight in to this larger than life character.
February 28, 2021
Real life Biggles
When I was a kid in the 1960’s my older brother and I would voraciously read all to do with WW1 & WW2 fighter pilots. Our father had been a navigator on bombers which may have influenced us. Biggles was of course our main sustenance but three real life biographies also stick in my mind: Mick Mannock(WWI Fighter Pilot Ace who was blind in one eye); Douglas Bader (no legs - He presented me with a school art prize in 1967!) and then Ginger Lacey. My brother (who must have been about 12 years at the time and I 10) purchased the paperback on a ship sailing from South Africa to UK. He said it was the best book he ever read but too good for me to read. It always frustrated me but now at 66 years old I outdid him and read it on Amazon!
When I was a kid in the 1960’s my older brother and I would voraciously read all to do with WW1 & WW2 fighter pilots. Our father had been a navigator on bombers which may have influenced us. Biggles was of course our main sustenance but three real life biographies also stick in my mind: Mick Mannock(WWI Fighter Pilot Ace who was blind in one eye); Douglas Bader (no legs - He presented me with a school art prize in 1967!) and then Ginger Lacey. My brother (who must have been about 12 years at the time and I 10) purchased the paperback on a ship sailing from South Africa to UK. He said it was the best book he ever read but too good for me to read. It always frustrated me but now at 66 years old I outdid him and read it on Amazon!
April 20, 2026
One of the better fighter pilot biographies, particularly on Lacey and 501 Squadron’s action in Battle of France and Britain. After that, Lacey spends a while out of the front line and then is posted to the Far East. These bits are still full of amusing anecdotes but the fast paced action of 1940/41 is over. The author clearly had brilliant access to Lacey’s records and seems to be friends/know him. You won’t find a better text on Ginger Lacey - Britain’s highest scoring ace of Battle of Britain (so the book claims, I thought it was Eric Lock?)
February 24, 2018
World War II Story
This is a good story wee told. Unlike mainly books about Battle of Britain pilots, this one does not degenerate into one boring battle after another. The author gets across the heroism of the pilot, as well as his character.
This is a good story wee told. Unlike mainly books about Battle of Britain pilots, this one does not degenerate into one boring battle after another. The author gets across the heroism of the pilot, as well as his character.
August 3, 2026
What a book. What a man. A true warrior. And- I learrned a new word to boot. "Shewing', which I dismissed as a typo and then read it again. And again. Of course i had to Google it. What a terrific read about a real hero.
August 31, 2017
Read it, unbelievable!
I liked every bit of it.
It must be read by everyone how loves to read about a remarkable man.
I liked every bit of it.
It must be read by everyone how loves to read about a remarkable man.
January 16, 2018
Excellent, well written true story of a national hero.
Well written story of a national hero. The courage, skill, and endurance over years of warfare are amazing.
Read it.
Well written story of a national hero. The courage, skill, and endurance over years of warfare are amazing.
Read it.
February 21, 2018
Churchill got it right
To this day we owe so much to so few. And this is the story of the best of the few. A good read.
To this day we owe so much to so few. And this is the story of the best of the few. A good read.
April 30, 2018
Worth the time
A solid account of a great fighter pilot. A very good telling of Ginger Lacey's career during the war and after.
A solid account of a great fighter pilot. A very good telling of Ginger Lacey's career during the war and after.
May 13, 2018
Factual record
Obviously a great and good man, and a good description of what he did, but the book is needlessly long winded and sometimes almost boring to read
Obviously a great and good man, and a good description of what he did, but the book is needlessly long winded and sometimes almost boring to read
March 28, 2021
Excellent book, recommend for any one interested in the WWII air war.
May 13, 2023
Good
Good one of the best books I've read on kindle keep on sending me books like that and I will be happy
Good one of the best books I've read on kindle keep on sending me books like that and I will be happy
July 11, 2016
This is s great book for anyone interested in military aviation and WW2. Jame H. Lacey was one of a handful of great British pilots both in Asia and Europe. You really get to know "Ginger" in this biography. The writer obviously knows his subject. I highly recommend this.
November 10, 2020
I’ve read this book 3 times now and it doesn’t get stale. It’s an excellent account of an exceptional individual. Anyone interested in a fighter pilots life through the war will find it difficult to put down.
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January 18, 2013One of the first books I remember reading...
March 10, 2015
Great biography of one of the celebrated aerial aces of the Battle of Britain.
July 21, 2015
Highest Score in Battle of Britain
British character at its finest. Disappointing how British neglected him after the war. Great account of the experience of fighter pilots.
British character at its finest. Disappointing how British neglected him after the war. Great account of the experience of fighter pilots.
March 15, 2016
Excellent book
Merits 5 stars due to the quality of the writing really bringing a first-class feel I g of knowing.g the main character.
Merits 5 stars due to the quality of the writing really bringing a first-class feel I g of knowing.g the main character.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews