What do you think?
Rate this book
Spitfire Pilot: A Personal Account of the Battle of Britain
Spitfire Pilot is the exhilarating and moving memoir of D. M. Crook, an airman in the legendary 609 Squadron - one of the most successful RAF units in the Battle of Britain.
Beginning with his fond recollections of his halcyon days in training - acrobatics, night flying and languorous days spent playing sport and nights off visiting Piccadilly Circus - Crook goes on to recount in thrilling detail the dogfights, remarkable victories and tragic losses which formed the daily routine of Britain's heroic aerial defenders in that long summer of 1940.
Often hopelessly outnumbered, the men of 609 Squadron in their state-of-the-art Spitfires committed acts of unimaginable bravery against the Messerschmitts and Junkers of Germany's formidable Luftwaffe. Many of Crook's fellow airmen did not make it back alive, and the absence they leave in the close-knit community of the squadron is described with great poignancy.
Spitfire Pilot offers a unique and personal insight into one of the most critical moments of British history, when a handful of men stood up against the might of the German Air Force in defense of their country.
This definitive edition, the first for more than sixty years, includes a new foreword by David Crook's daughter and Air Vice Marshal Sandy Hunter, Honorary Air Commodore of the 609 Squadron. The book also has an introduction by Professor Richard Overy.
Beginning with his fond recollections of his halcyon days in training - acrobatics, night flying and languorous days spent playing sport and nights off visiting Piccadilly Circus - Crook goes on to recount in thrilling detail the dogfights, remarkable victories and tragic losses which formed the daily routine of Britain's heroic aerial defenders in that long summer of 1940.
Often hopelessly outnumbered, the men of 609 Squadron in their state-of-the-art Spitfires committed acts of unimaginable bravery against the Messerschmitts and Junkers of Germany's formidable Luftwaffe. Many of Crook's fellow airmen did not make it back alive, and the absence they leave in the close-knit community of the squadron is described with great poignancy.
Spitfire Pilot offers a unique and personal insight into one of the most critical moments of British history, when a handful of men stood up against the might of the German Air Force in defense of their country.
This definitive edition, the first for more than sixty years, includes a new foreword by David Crook's daughter and Air Vice Marshal Sandy Hunter, Honorary Air Commodore of the 609 Squadron. The book also has an introduction by Professor Richard Overy.
208 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published December 23, 2021
1 person is currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
David Crook
143 books4 followersDAVID CROOK is the editor of The Wall Street Journal Sunday, the personal finance section that appears in more than 60 papers around the country.
David's "Real-Estate Investing" book was published in 2006. His "The Wall Street Journal Complete Home Owner's Guidebook," which is to be published by Three Rivers Press in late 2008.
David was part of the original team that developed and launched the highly successful “Weekend Journal” of Friday’s Wall Street Journal. He also developed the “Home Front” and “Property Report,” the Journal’s residential and commercial real-estate sections. He was a writer and editor for many years at The Los Angeles Times.
Born and raised in Memphis, Tenn., David has lived and worked in New Orleans, Washington, Los Angeles and New York. He and his family have homes in Manhattan and Litchfield, Conn.
David's "Real-Estate Investing" book was published in 2006. His "The Wall Street Journal Complete Home Owner's Guidebook," which is to be published by Three Rivers Press in late 2008.
David was part of the original team that developed and launched the highly successful “Weekend Journal” of Friday’s Wall Street Journal. He also developed the “Home Front” and “Property Report,” the Journal’s residential and commercial real-estate sections. He was a writer and editor for many years at The Los Angeles Times.
Born and raised in Memphis, Tenn., David has lived and worked in New Orleans, Washington, Los Angeles and New York. He and his family have homes in Manhattan and Litchfield, Conn.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
No one has reviewed this book yet.