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ARISE TO CONQUER
Originally published during the war in 1942, this is the other side of the mirror from the philosophical flight record of authors such as Antoine de Saint Exupery. It is a literal, daily record of a British fighter pilot (23 years old) fighting in the Battle of Britain, giving a truly authentic picture of life in a fighter squadron in those perilous times.
Gleed details his first sortie in 1939, his breakdown not so long after, his return to the RAF and battles over France, his exploits in the Battle of Britain, becoming an ace, and eventually being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for his service as leader and fighter. This is a candid, likable record of a job done which became a classic, now published in paperback.
Gleed details his first sortie in 1939, his breakdown not so long after, his return to the RAF and battles over France, his exploits in the Battle of Britain, becoming an ace, and eventually being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for his service as leader and fighter. This is a candid, likable record of a job done which became a classic, now published in paperback.
208 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 13, 2016
Stirring account of a British RAF airman during the Battle of Britain and a very admirable hero as well.
March 1, 2014
"ARISE TO CONQUER" was one of those books that was published in the UK during the Second World War by a select group of airmen so as to give people on the home front a palpable sense of what frontline combat was like. In this case, the reader is given a glimpse into the life of its author, Ian Gleed. Gleed, who had joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) prewar, describes life in a fighter squadron in the last hours of peace. Then, upon the declaration of war in September 1939, his squadron is tasked with flying coastal patrols in their Hawker Hurricane fighters, protecting merchant shipping from Luftwaffe attack. Very little action takes place as autumn gives way to winter. Gleed is transferred to another squadron as a flight leader, this time flying Spitfires.
But this was not to be a long stay for Gleed. While flying a Spitfire one day on a high altitude test, the aircraft experiences significant structural collapse. How Gleed managed to extricate himself from the cockpit and bail out is nothing short of miraculous. He's wounded and placed in hospital for 3 weeks.
Gleed, after a few days of enforced rest, becomes impatient and clamors to be placed back on flying status. Eventually, his persistence pays off and he's posted to a Hurricane squadron in France. He arrives (via ship and train) at No. 87 Squadron shortly after the beginning of the German blitzkrieg in the West. His words convey the urgency, the terror and despair at that stage of the war.
"... Around me a gigantic dog-fight was taking place; it was impossible to see which was friend or foe until you were close enough to see the aircraft markings. Round and round I went. Slowly but steadily I was turning inside the 109. Round and round until I felt sick and hardly knew which way up I was. Now and then I flashed by other 'planes, sometimes with black crosses [German] and sometimes with roundels [Allied].
" 'You're a swine. --- a few more turns and you'll have had it.' Damn! it was as if the Hun had heard my thoughts. He turned on his back and dived vertically. I followed. Brrrrrrrmmm. Damn! that was a shaky shot. Christ! a large chunk of something flew off. A snaky white trail suddenly appeared by my cockpit. 'Someone on your tail; aileron turn, quick. Stick hard over to one side. That's lost him. Thank God for that! Now for home."
Gleed survives the evacuation of 87 Squadron to the UK and the subsequent French collapse. The UK is now under threat of invasion. Throughout the summer and fall of 1940, Gleed, who is adept in conveying so much of squadron life through sparse word-pictures, shows how it was that the British refused to fold and inflicted on Hitler his first serious setback in the War.
Taken as a whole, "ARISE TO CONQUER" is a classic of the combat memoir genre, comparable to Saint-Exupery's "Flight to Arras." I recommend it highly.
But this was not to be a long stay for Gleed. While flying a Spitfire one day on a high altitude test, the aircraft experiences significant structural collapse. How Gleed managed to extricate himself from the cockpit and bail out is nothing short of miraculous. He's wounded and placed in hospital for 3 weeks.
Gleed, after a few days of enforced rest, becomes impatient and clamors to be placed back on flying status. Eventually, his persistence pays off and he's posted to a Hurricane squadron in France. He arrives (via ship and train) at No. 87 Squadron shortly after the beginning of the German blitzkrieg in the West. His words convey the urgency, the terror and despair at that stage of the war.
"... Around me a gigantic dog-fight was taking place; it was impossible to see which was friend or foe until you were close enough to see the aircraft markings. Round and round I went. Slowly but steadily I was turning inside the 109. Round and round until I felt sick and hardly knew which way up I was. Now and then I flashed by other 'planes, sometimes with black crosses [German] and sometimes with roundels [Allied].
" 'You're a swine. --- a few more turns and you'll have had it.' Damn! it was as if the Hun had heard my thoughts. He turned on his back and dived vertically. I followed. Brrrrrrrmmm. Damn! that was a shaky shot. Christ! a large chunk of something flew off. A snaky white trail suddenly appeared by my cockpit. 'Someone on your tail; aileron turn, quick. Stick hard over to one side. That's lost him. Thank God for that! Now for home."
Gleed survives the evacuation of 87 Squadron to the UK and the subsequent French collapse. The UK is now under threat of invasion. Throughout the summer and fall of 1940, Gleed, who is adept in conveying so much of squadron life through sparse word-pictures, shows how it was that the British refused to fold and inflicted on Hitler his first serious setback in the War.
Taken as a whole, "ARISE TO CONQUER" is a classic of the combat memoir genre, comparable to Saint-Exupery's "Flight to Arras." I recommend it highly.
September 2, 2015
Ian Gleed, the English author of this book, recounts his everyday daily routine during WW2 and his air battles over England and France. If you don't know how the English men spoke in those days - you'll find out in this book. That is what makes this book very Interesting and Refreshing.
A really good read.
A really good read.
May 29, 2024
This first-hand account of the Battle of France and the Battle of Britain by a fighter pilot published in early 1942 helped shape the image of "the Few" in the war and thereafter. Unlike the intellectual reflections of Richard Hillary ("The Last Enemy") or the thoughtful account of Paul Richey ("Fighter Pilot"), Gleed's account is often stream-of-consciousness and seems consciously shallow. Gleed uses the infamous RAF slang non-stop and avoids introspection almost to a fault -- as if Gleed is intentionally feeding the already popular image of the happy-go-lucky higher pilot.
The views of the enemy and allegations of bombers running away when attacked without doing much damage tell us more about what the Air Ministry wanted people to read than about the aerial engagements allegedly depicted. It is also important to remember that Gleed participated in the Battle of Britain from 10 Group, which was not on the front line and did not experience the intensity of combat or the extend of the casualties faced by 11 Group.
In short, this book is not a valuable source for information about actual combat but provides extremely valuable insight into the mentality and attitudes of Britain's still largely juvenile fighter force. After all, most fighter pilots in Britain during WWII were not yet deemed mature enough to vote, e.g. they were under 21 years of age.
The views of the enemy and allegations of bombers running away when attacked without doing much damage tell us more about what the Air Ministry wanted people to read than about the aerial engagements allegedly depicted. It is also important to remember that Gleed participated in the Battle of Britain from 10 Group, which was not on the front line and did not experience the intensity of combat or the extend of the casualties faced by 11 Group.
In short, this book is not a valuable source for information about actual combat but provides extremely valuable insight into the mentality and attitudes of Britain's still largely juvenile fighter force. After all, most fighter pilots in Britain during WWII were not yet deemed mature enough to vote, e.g. they were under 21 years of age.
March 4, 2023
A very interesting account of the Battle of Britain...
The book is written in an unusual style, in my opinion. Almost in a conversational style. It took a while to get used to. The story
Itself took place from just prior to the declaration of war through the Battle of Britain, including the author's time with the BEF in France.
The book is written in an unusual style, in my opinion. Almost in a conversational style. It took a while to get used to. The story
Itself took place from just prior to the declaration of war through the Battle of Britain, including the author's time with the BEF in France.
October 15, 2018
A rare pearl of a book
Published in 1942, this is the story of Ian Gleed, a fighter pilot during the Battle of France and the Battle of Britain. His memories were fresh and the book reflects it.
This is a great read.
Published in 1942, this is the story of Ian Gleed, a fighter pilot during the Battle of France and the Battle of Britain. His memories were fresh and the book reflects it.
This is a great read.
November 13, 2018
An inside look at the battle of Britain.
Laying your life on th line to protect your country. A look at how it was high on the sky above Britain battling the German menace and still live to do it another day.
Laying your life on th line to protect your country. A look at how it was high on the sky above Britain battling the German menace and still live to do it another day.
December 12, 2018
Excellent Book!
A well told story of the early days of WWII as e,experienced by an ART pilot. From the fall of France to the beginning of the Battle of Britain, you'll e,experience the action first hand. My only regret is that it was too short!
A well told story of the early days of WWII as e,experienced by an ART pilot. From the fall of France to the beginning of the Battle of Britain, you'll e,experience the action first hand. My only regret is that it was too short!
May 17, 2022
A great biography regarding one of the great pilots for the RAF during WW2. The story is full of action and full of great stories about the pilots and the ordeals they endured. A must read for the air enthusiast.
Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
December 2, 2018
One of the Best
Absolutely a historical and vivid of account of British fighter pilot,s life was in the battle for Britain. I felt like I was there.
Absolutely a historical and vivid of account of British fighter pilot,s life was in the battle for Britain. I felt like I was there.
September 6, 2022
Excellent insight to the events and actions of a fighter squadron at the start of the war.
August 26, 2023
Tally ho!
What can I say? A brilliant read and an even more valuable insight into the life of an RAF pilot during the events of the Battle of Britain
Highly recommended
What can I say? A brilliant read and an even more valuable insight into the life of an RAF pilot during the events of the Battle of Britain
Highly recommended
March 23, 2025
4.5 stars
April 3, 2014
It reminded me that WWII was a different war, in a different time. The accounting in this story showed how united "good" was over "evil." There is just no sense of cause in any subsequent generation since.
October 28, 2016
Very much written in the context of it's time - keep calm and carrying on whatever the odds with a smile on your lips and plenty of RAF banter.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews