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RAF Wings Over Florida: Memories of World War II British Air Cadets
In the early 1940s, prior to the United States' entry into World War II, through the joint efforts of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill, British soldiers were sent to the United States for flight training. This collection gives first-person accounts of the men who learned the art of flying in a place far from their homeland – Florida. The stories provide a wonderful contrast between the two cultures and are told in the voices of British cadets, American cadets who trained with them, instructors, and other individuals who welcomed the British cadets into their homes and lives.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 26, 2023
3.5 Stars
This book discusses the training of British RAF pilots during World War II. This book specifically focuses on two sites, Carlstrom Field and Riddle Field in south Florida. There were other sites in Florida that trained RAF pilots, like Lakeland, but this book is only focused on the two locations. The book is primarily composed of reminisces of men who trained and worked at each facility, many having brief biographies of their lives after the war.
Some of the stories were meandering, and I had a hard time seeing the connection to Florida. Some were quite interesting and full of details about their lives here.
My favorite quote from the book relates to a pilot reminiscing about some of the messing around or hotdogging these young pilots did. One envisions the letter sent home to his mother if he was killed doing something stupid:
"Dear Mother of a Cadet: The United States Department of War regrets to inform you that your son was killed while pulling some idiotic trick in training. Should you have other sons, keep them away from matches, sharp knives and airplanes."
An interesting read for those interested in local perspectives of a global conflict.
This book discusses the training of British RAF pilots during World War II. This book specifically focuses on two sites, Carlstrom Field and Riddle Field in south Florida. There were other sites in Florida that trained RAF pilots, like Lakeland, but this book is only focused on the two locations. The book is primarily composed of reminisces of men who trained and worked at each facility, many having brief biographies of their lives after the war.
Some of the stories were meandering, and I had a hard time seeing the connection to Florida. Some were quite interesting and full of details about their lives here.
My favorite quote from the book relates to a pilot reminiscing about some of the messing around or hotdogging these young pilots did. One envisions the letter sent home to his mother if he was killed doing something stupid:
"Dear Mother of a Cadet: The United States Department of War regrets to inform you that your son was killed while pulling some idiotic trick in training. Should you have other sons, keep them away from matches, sharp knives and airplanes."
An interesting read for those interested in local perspectives of a global conflict.
July 9, 2025
a really fascinating read
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews