Hero: The Buzz Beurling Story

by Brian Nolan

A biography of Canada's premiere fighter ace of the Second World War. Beginning his service in the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1941, Beurling, a bit of a loner wholly devoted to developing his skills as a fighter pilot, found it difficult to adapt himself to the accepted discipline so essential to working well in a squadron tasked with flying combat over Western Europe. But, when Beurling volunteered for combat service in Malta (arriving there in the early summer of 1942 when the island was under siege from both the Luftwaffe and Regia Aeronautica), he came into his own as a fighter pilot. Within 4 months, he was credited with shooting down 28 enemy planes and enjoyed a reputation as a top pilot and superb shot.

Beurling survived the war. But his life was cut short when he died in an air crash in 1948, aged 26.

Genres: Nonfiction

Mass Market Paperback

Published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[KOMET · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased this book in May 1983 when I was visiting Toronto with a buddy of mine from high school. We had just finished our freshman year of college and welcomed a change of scene for a break. He preferred Chicago, but I wanted to go to Toronto. Happily, I won out and we had a fun time there. (To this day, Toronto remains one of my favorite cities to visit.)

The book is a biography of Canada's premiere fighter ace of the Second World War. Beginning his service in the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1941, George Beurling, a bit of a loner wholly devoted to developing his skills as a fighter pilot, found it difficult to adapt himself to the accepted discipline so essential to working well in a squadron tasked with flying combat over Western Europe. But, when Beurling volunteered for combat service in Malta (arriving there in the early summer of 1942 when the island was under siege from both the Luftwaffe and Regia Aeronautica), he came into his own as a fighter pilot. Within 4 months, he was credited with shooting down 28 enemy planes and enjoyed a reputation as a top pilot and superb shot.

Beurling survived the war. But his life was cut short when he died in an air crash in 1948, aged 26

[Chris Tschirhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

A comprehensive look at George "Buzz Beurling. Canada's leading Ace of WWII. The book is both exciting and tragic. It outlines the natural drive and talent of Buzz, but also gives furtive glimpses into a tragic soul and goes towards explaining his "Screwball" nick name. If he would have been an American he would have been touted as a hero. However, in the RAF and RCAF he didn't fit in and paid a personal price for it. He is the type of person need in War and the a tragic figure when not in the air or an aero-plane.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

According to the book Beurling was the 9th leading Allied ace in WW2 with 31 1/3 victories. But as the book also said he was a good pilot but a bad soldier. He often comes across as not terribly likeable. He could be very charming but also rebellious and self centered. But he was very good at shooting down planes and so became a Canadian war hero. He always seemed at loose ends when not flying.