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THE SERGEANT PILOT a sweeping historical novel of the Battle of Britain
AN UNFORGETTABLE WW2 NOVEL OF THE RAF, FROM A FORMER RAF PILOT.
Yorkshire, March 1940. The war is still a rumour from a distant country.
The village of Hartby Steeple has stood in its loop of river for nine hundred years. No army has ever crossed its bridge. No bomb has ever fallen on its fields.
Young pilot Chris Thorne has arrived at the airfield beyond the village to join 606 Squadron — twelve men in obsolete biplanes, waiting for a war they have not yet seen.
For the villagers, life carries on as it always has.
Then comes Norway. Then France. Then Dunkirk.
The peaceful skies of Hartby Steeple fill with the sound of engines, and the lives of a Yorkshire village and a fighter squadron become entwined.
From the last quiet spring of peace to the burning afternoon of the fifteenth of August, this is a vivid and deeply human portrait of the men who flew, the villagers who watched, and the summer that decided a war.
Perfect for fans of James Holland and Derek Robinson.
Please note, this book was previously published as The Battle of Britain.
READERS LOVE THE SERGEANT PILOT:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Some books you don’t want to end. This is one. A very novel take on the Battle of Britain and great descriptions of North Yorkshire.’ Amazon Reviewer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘This was a really interesting and entertaining book about the Battle of Britain.’ Amazon Reviewer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘This gives us another view of life in the RAF, during many campaigns. It talks of love and love tragedy. It hits many parts of the human experience.’ Amazon Reviewer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘An excellent look at the British pilots’ everyday life before and during the Battle of Britain.’ Amazon Reviewer
Robert Jackson is one of Britain's most prolific writers on military aviation, the author of more than fifty works of fiction and history spanning two world wars and the jet age. A former pilot in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, he has flown a wide range of aircraft from jets to gliders.
Yorkshire, March 1940. The war is still a rumour from a distant country.
The village of Hartby Steeple has stood in its loop of river for nine hundred years. No army has ever crossed its bridge. No bomb has ever fallen on its fields.
Young pilot Chris Thorne has arrived at the airfield beyond the village to join 606 Squadron — twelve men in obsolete biplanes, waiting for a war they have not yet seen.
For the villagers, life carries on as it always has.
Then comes Norway. Then France. Then Dunkirk.
The peaceful skies of Hartby Steeple fill with the sound of engines, and the lives of a Yorkshire village and a fighter squadron become entwined.
From the last quiet spring of peace to the burning afternoon of the fifteenth of August, this is a vivid and deeply human portrait of the men who flew, the villagers who watched, and the summer that decided a war.
Perfect for fans of James Holland and Derek Robinson.
Please note, this book was previously published as The Battle of Britain.
READERS LOVE THE SERGEANT PILOT:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Some books you don’t want to end. This is one. A very novel take on the Battle of Britain and great descriptions of North Yorkshire.’ Amazon Reviewer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘This was a really interesting and entertaining book about the Battle of Britain.’ Amazon Reviewer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘This gives us another view of life in the RAF, during many campaigns. It talks of love and love tragedy. It hits many parts of the human experience.’ Amazon Reviewer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘An excellent look at the British pilots’ everyday life before and during the Battle of Britain.’ Amazon Reviewer
Robert Jackson is one of Britain's most prolific writers on military aviation, the author of more than fifty works of fiction and history spanning two world wars and the jet age. A former pilot in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, he has flown a wide range of aircraft from jets to gliders.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 22, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 24, 2026
The Meat Grinder
A story of life, love, and death of the men who flew for the RAF before and during the Battle of Britain and the women who came, stayed or left them throughout the early stages of WW II. Real characters, honest emotions and a believeable story line combined with smart dialogue made this one a winner. I was sorry when it ended.
A story of life, love, and death of the men who flew for the RAF before and during the Battle of Britain and the women who came, stayed or left them throughout the early stages of WW II. Real characters, honest emotions and a believeable story line combined with smart dialogue made this one a winner. I was sorry when it ended.
September 10, 2026
Nice well rounded Battle of Britain novel
The author is well known for his aviation writing and his ‘Yeoman’ series about an RAF pilot in WWII and beyond is well worth reading too. This book is a stand alone novel of a pilot during the early part of the Battle of Britain. Authentic details and a nice study of ordinary people caught up in war.
The author is well known for his aviation writing and his ‘Yeoman’ series about an RAF pilot in WWII and beyond is well worth reading too. This book is a stand alone novel of a pilot during the early part of the Battle of Britain. Authentic details and a nice study of ordinary people caught up in war.
June 22, 2026
Wonderful tales of the Battle of Britain
A fine explanation of the true lives of the brave men who flew into the skies of England in defense of their country against Nazi fighters and bombers attempting to crush the spirit of the British people.
A fine explanation of the true lives of the brave men who flew into the skies of England in defense of their country against Nazi fighters and bombers attempting to crush the spirit of the British people.
June 25, 2026
Very good read...
Lots of historical information that I was not aware of from that period of the war. Very good picture of a small airfield by a small English village. I am looking forward to reading the next volume.
Lots of historical information that I was not aware of from that period of the war. Very good picture of a small airfield by a small English village. I am looking forward to reading the next volume.
July 20, 2026
Well worth the time!
A very enjoyable read, accurately tied to historical events and a story line that keeps you engaged. A former USAF Exchange Officer with 228 OCU, RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, England. 1981-83.
A very enjoyable read, accurately tied to historical events and a story line that keeps you engaged. A former USAF Exchange Officer with 228 OCU, RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, England. 1981-83.
August 17, 2026
a heart felt tale
The writer
Made real people
Kept the war and its battles
Focused and believable
All the emotions were realistic and
Life was presented with all its up and downs and sudden endings
The writer
Made real people
Kept the war and its battles
Focused and believable
All the emotions were realistic and
Life was presented with all its up and downs and sudden endings
August 31, 2026
Superb from Start to Finish LP
Tight plot. Technically accurate in all areas. Compellingly real characters. This story runs the complete range of genres and does it well. This retired teacher gives it an A++. And has just ordered all
Robert Jackson books yet not read.
Tight plot. Technically accurate in all areas. Compellingly real characters. This story runs the complete range of genres and does it well. This retired teacher gives it an A++. And has just ordered all
Robert Jackson books yet not read.
June 24, 2026
Well worth a read.
Well researched tale of one the many NCO's in the RAF . Not one of the privileged few,but one of the many unsung heroes from the less wealthy classes.
Well researched tale of one the many NCO's in the RAF . Not one of the privileged few,but one of the many unsung heroes from the less wealthy classes.
June 25, 2026
Wonderful read for lovers of WW2 fiction
A great read.. Superbly described aerial warfare h scenes with a terrific ending that tugsl at the heartstrings. Highly recommended.
A great read.. Superbly described aerial warfare h scenes with a terrific ending that tugsl at the heartstrings. Highly recommended.
August 12, 2026
WWII in the Air
A great read! I enjoyed the story line and the characters…good descriptions of locations and life in the time of WWII
A great read! I enjoyed the story line and the characters…good descriptions of locations and life in the time of WWII
August 24, 2026
A Pleasure to Read
Well developed major and minor characters, with plenty of side stories that come back around to tie in with the main story. Nicely done.
Well developed major and minor characters, with plenty of side stories that come back around to tie in with the main story. Nicely done.
September 13, 2026
nice read
Clearly the author is a Battle of Britain enthusiast and amateur historian, but he weaves a nice and accurate story through the historical facts.
Clearly the author is a Battle of Britain enthusiast and amateur historian, but he weaves a nice and accurate story through the historical facts.
August 25, 2026
A great read, the best book I have read for a long time, not only a story but a very lot of info of war time history. On the ground and up in the air, as seen by the pilots flying. The ground crew, working all day and night. Having seen lots of war films, but in the book it covered in more details. The story started good and followed on into later in life. A great read.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews