Spitfire!: The Full Story of a Unique Battle of Britain Fighter Squadron

by Dilip Sarkar

As a child, Dilip Sarkar was fascinated by the haunting image of an anonymous RAF Spitfire pilot. Taken minutes after landing from a Battle of Britain combat, this was Squadron Leader Brian Lane DFC, the commander of 19 Squadron, based at Fowlmere – and author of the stirring first-hand account Spitfire! The Experiences of a Fighter Pilot, published under the pseudonym B.J. Ellan. Deeply moving was the discovery that in 1942 Brian was reported missing after a futile nuisance raid over the Dutch coast.

During the mid-1980s, Dilip began researching the life and times of both Brian Lane and 19 Squadron, forging close friendships with many of the unit’s surviving Battle of Britain pilots and support staff. This enabled identification of the wartime censor’s blanks regarding people and places in Brian’s book, and the publication in 1990 of Dilip’s first ever book, Spitfire 19 Squadron at War 1939-41.

Nearly thirty years later, sadly all of the survivors are now deceased, but Dilip’s close relationship has provided a huge archive of correspondence and interviews in addition to a unique photographic collection. Furthermore, the author, a retired police detective, has thoroughly investigated the life – and death – of Squadron Leader Lane.

This completely new Spitfire Squadron covers everything we would ever need to know about such a unit during the critical pre and early war the social, political, aviation and military history all in one volume – emphasising the human experience involved and the stories of casualties. With an immense photographic collection – many published here for the first time – this book is destined to become a classic.

So, strap yourself in, turn gun button to ‘fire’, and join 19 Squadron’s Spitfire pilots during our Darkest and Finest Hours … the ultimate ‘Band of Brothers’?

Genres: History, World War II

496 pages, Paperback

Published October 22, 2021

Reviews

[KOMET · Rating 5 out of 5]

SPITFIRE!: The Full Story of a Unique Battle of Britain Fighter Squadron is one of the best, well-researched, and comprehensive histories of a World War II fighter unit it has been my pleasure to read. The author had formed deep and longstanding relationships with many of the surviving pilots and ground crew who had been a part of 19 Squadron from 1938 - when the squadron became the first in the Royal Air Force (RAF) to be issued with the then new Supermarine Spitfire and went on to do a very thorough, effective job of integrating the fighter into active service -- to June 20, 1941, when 19 Squadron's commander, Brian Lane, was posted away to headquarters for a rest from operations.

Lane had first assumed temporary command of 19 Squadron in May 1940, following the loss of its previous commander, Geoffrey Stephenson, in combat above the French coast near Calais, where Stephenson was soon captured by the Germans. He went on to earn the respect and admiration of his squadron mates for his fairness, modest manner, and proven leadership in action. Lane's first stint at command was a short one, however. He was succeeded by Philip Pinkham, a longstanding officer, who came to the squadron lacking combat experience. Sadly, Pinkham would be killed in action on September 5, 1940, caught in a crossfire created by German bombers he was attacking. Thereupon Lane was officially put back in command of the squadron and led from the front as often as possible.

The book does an excellent job, through the insertion of comments from the pilots, ground crews, wives, and RAF ground controllers who played key roles in 19 Squadron's history from late 1938, the 'Phoney War' phase from September 1939 to May 1940, combat over Dunkirk (where the British Expeditionary Force was being evacuated to Britain during those hectic days of late May to early June 1940 when a German victory seemed all but certain), and on through the Battle of Britain period, of conveying what life under the stresses and pressures of war was like on an individual level. This gives SPITFIRE! an immediacy that makes the events of 84 years ago less remote. There are also a generous amount of photos of the men, planes, airbases that were so much a part of 19 Squadron during the early years of the war.

For any aviation enthusiast, this book is an absolute keeper. I gained a deep admiration, respect, and appreciation for those exceptional people who made 19 Squadron such an outstanding unit during the early years of the Second World War.

[Simon Clayton · Rating 3 out of 5]

A thoroughly researched book, primarily about 19 Squadron based at Duxford. Full of the recognisable heroes of our greatest hour.

It introduced me to many new pilots and auxiliary staff, provided insight to the challenges encountered with flying the Spitfire, particularly the cannons, and shone a light on pilots such as Douglas Bader and the political machinations behind the scenes.

Reading the ebook version I found the way the photographs were laid out in the text confusing, and disruptive to the narrative. The very nature of the subject material did result in some mundane dialogue and there was a little too much repetition of some matters for my taste.

That said, I do recommend this book for history and aviation enthusiasts. There are some real insights to be found.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If anyone is accustomed to due diligence, it's the author, a retired police detective. He has applied this skill to researching the history of the use of the Spitfire in the RAF and particularly the men of 19 Squadron. Special emphasis on Squadron Leader Lane. The whole has been (obviously) thoroughly researched, documented, and peppered with archival photos. The presentation is as interesting as can be, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I requested and received a free temporary ebook from Pen & Sword and Air World via NetGalley. Thank you!

[Jeffrey De Rycke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Voor iedereen die interesse heeft in dit soort onderwerpen, is dit boek een absolute aanrader. Je merkt hoeveel tijd en moeite de auteur in dit boek (en alle vorige edities) heeft gestoken. Gaande van uitpluizen van archieven, tot oud-piloten interviewen, graven bezoeken, zelf een spitfire helpen opgraven, correcties verschaffen aan anderen, en ga zo maar door. Daarbij geeft het een heel breed perspectief, zowel de verhalen van individuele piloten, als de politiek van de hoogste pieten in de RAF. Finaal zijn de missies zo gedetailleerd uitgeschreven, dat het bijna is alsof je zelf mee in de lucht zit.

Kortom, een must read voor iedereen met dit soort interesses.