All the Fine Young Eagles

by David L. Bashow

During the six years of the Second World War, Canadian fighter pilots flew and fought with great distinction in every theatre of war to which Commonwealth fighter forces were deployed. All the Fine Young Eagles captures the spirit and magnitude of the Canadian contribution, which began in Europe's Low Countries in 1940 and ended among the Japanese Home Islands in 1945. In keeping with the country's developing autonomy, Canadians served in both RAF and RCAF units, fighting with great courage in their Spitfires, Hurricanes, Kittyhawks and Typhoons.

All the Fine Young Eagles collects the wartime diaries and postwar reminiscences from a great variety of the Canadian fighter pilots who served in World War II. Their vivid first-hand accounts take the reader into the cockpit to experience dogfights, tactical manoeuvres, forced landings and injuries, as well as the often tedious periods between engagements. They also illuminate the day-to-day living conditions on base and include humorous accounts of the vivid personalities and lighter moments of wartime.

To provide context for their stories, Bashow's authoritative voice offers both a large-scale historical framework and detailed information about tactics, equipment and people, including such famous flying aces as "Buzz" Beurling and "Moose" Fumerton.

This updated second edition contains a substantial amount of new material that veterans have contributed since the publication of the first edition.

Genres: War

512 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1996

Reviews

[Joanna Calder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is, simply put, an outstanding book. It's a well-written account of the contribution of Canadian fighter pilots to the Allied victory in the Second World War. Dave Bashow writes an organized, thoughtful and engaging account of the progress of the war. Throughout we hear from the fighter pilots in their own words - on topics ranging from the merits of the Spitfire aircraft in combat to the ill-effects of challenging American servicemen who are trying to steal one's jeep to the terror and exultation of being in combat. We truly are "in the cockpit with Canada's Second World War fighter pilots". We do not have enough well-written books about the RCAF contribution to the war. If you are interested at all in the topic or the topic of air power in general, this is a must for your bookshelf.