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Gun Button to Fire: A Hurricane Pilot's Dramatic Story of the Battle of Britain
The amazing story of one of 'the Few', fighter ace Tom Neil. This is a fighter pilot's story of eight memorable months from May to December 1940. When the Germans were blitzing their way across France, Pilot Officer Tom Neil had just received his first posting - to 249 Squadron, in process for forming at RAF Church Fenton in Yorkshire. Nineteen years old, fresh from training at Montrose on Hawker Audax biplanes he was soon to be pitch forked into the maelstrom of air fighting on which the survival of Britain was to depend. By the end of the year he had shot down 13 enemy aircraft, seen many of his friends killed, injured or burned, and was himself a wary and accomplished fighter pilot.
Tom Neil is one of only a handful of veterans still alive today. The average age of surviving veterans is 91. Only 20 veterans out of 2947 official Battle of Britain pilots are fit enough to attend Battle of Britain Fighter Association events (although around 90 are still alive in total). He is 89 and lives in Suffolk with his wife who was a Fighter Command plotter when they met in 1940. He flew 141 combat missions (few pilots reached 50) mostly from North Weald airfield in Essex, and shot down 13 enemy aircraft during the Battle of Britain. Tom Neil was one of the pilots the War Ministry used in their propaganda at the time of the Battle of Britain partly because of his height (6 ft 4) and his good looks. Tom Neil flew with James Nicolson at the time he won the only Battle of Britain Victoria Cross.
Tom Neil is one of only a handful of veterans still alive today. The average age of surviving veterans is 91. Only 20 veterans out of 2947 official Battle of Britain pilots are fit enough to attend Battle of Britain Fighter Association events (although around 90 are still alive in total). He is 89 and lives in Suffolk with his wife who was a Fighter Command plotter when they met in 1940. He flew 141 combat missions (few pilots reached 50) mostly from North Weald airfield in Essex, and shot down 13 enemy aircraft during the Battle of Britain. Tom Neil was one of the pilots the War Ministry used in their propaganda at the time of the Battle of Britain partly because of his height (6 ft 4) and his good looks. Tom Neil flew with James Nicolson at the time he won the only Battle of Britain Victoria Cross.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published November 16, 1987
21 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
Tom Neil
10 books7 followersThomas Neil joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) on 17th October 1938 and began his flying training at 17 E&RFTS, Barton, Manchester.
Called up on 2nd September 1939, Neil went to 4 ITW; Bexhill in early November.
On 1st December he was posted to 8 FFS, Montrose and on completion of the course, he was commissioned and joined 249 Squadron on 15th May 1940 at its reformation at Church Fenton.
Flying from North Weald on 7th September, Neil claimed a Bf 109 fighter destroyed, on the 11th a He 111 bomber, on the 15th two Bf 109s and a Do 17 bomber destroyed and another Do 17 shared, on the 18th a He 111 damaged and on the 27th a Bf 110 and a Ju 88 bomber destroyed, a Bf 110 fighter probably destroyed and a Ju 88 shared.
On 6th October, Neil shared in the destruction of a Do 17 bomber, on the 25th claimed a Bf 109 destroyed.
On 27th he claimed a Do 17 probably destroyed.
On 28th Neil shared in the destruction of a Ju 88 bomber.
On 7th November he claimed a Ju 87 and two Bf 109s destroyed. On this same day, Neil collided with Wing Commander F.V. Beamish during a patrol and lost his tail. He baled out of his Hurricane (V 7676), unhurt.
Thomas Neil was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) on 8th October 1940, and a Bar on 26th November 1940. He was made a Flight Commander in December.
In May 1941, 249 Squadron went to Malta in the Mediterranean. The squadron flew off the Ark Royal on the 21st, Neil leading the second group of Hurricanes.
After a series of mishaps and misadventures, they all reached Malta safely.
On 12th June 1941, Neil destroyed a Mc 200 fighter of Italy's Regia Aeronautica.
Tour expired, he left Malta on 26th December 1941 and returned to the UK, via the Middle East, South Africa, West Africa and Canada, finally arriving at Liverpool in early March 1942.
Neil was posted to 81 Group as Tactics Officer. He went to 56 OTU in mid-June and on 1st September 1942 he took command of 41 Squadron at Llanbedr.
In July 1943, he was posted to 53 OTU, Kirton-on-Lindsey, as an instructor. He later went to the 9th US Army Air Force, as Flying Liaison Officer with the 100th Fighter Wing. After D-Day Neil did some operational flying in France, as a supernumerary.
In January 1945, Neil was posted to the School of Land/Air Warfare at Old Sarum, instructing and lecturing.
Subsequently, he went to Burma in March 1945, investigating. Whilst there, he flew some operational sorties with No 1 Indian Wing. He returned to Old Sarum in April, leaving there in January 1946 to go on an Empire Test Pilots’ course at Cranfield.
Thomas Neil was awarded the Bronze Star Medal(US) (2-8-49) and the AFC (2-1-56).
Thomas Neil retired from the RAF in 1964, as a Wing Commander. In retirement, he has written a number of books and articles about his wartime experiences.
Neil passed away on July 11, 2018, three days shy of what would have been his 98th birthday.
Called up on 2nd September 1939, Neil went to 4 ITW; Bexhill in early November.
On 1st December he was posted to 8 FFS, Montrose and on completion of the course, he was commissioned and joined 249 Squadron on 15th May 1940 at its reformation at Church Fenton.
Flying from North Weald on 7th September, Neil claimed a Bf 109 fighter destroyed, on the 11th a He 111 bomber, on the 15th two Bf 109s and a Do 17 bomber destroyed and another Do 17 shared, on the 18th a He 111 damaged and on the 27th a Bf 110 and a Ju 88 bomber destroyed, a Bf 110 fighter probably destroyed and a Ju 88 shared.
On 6th October, Neil shared in the destruction of a Do 17 bomber, on the 25th claimed a Bf 109 destroyed.
On 27th he claimed a Do 17 probably destroyed.
On 28th Neil shared in the destruction of a Ju 88 bomber.
On 7th November he claimed a Ju 87 and two Bf 109s destroyed. On this same day, Neil collided with Wing Commander F.V. Beamish during a patrol and lost his tail. He baled out of his Hurricane (V 7676), unhurt.
Thomas Neil was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) on 8th October 1940, and a Bar on 26th November 1940. He was made a Flight Commander in December.
In May 1941, 249 Squadron went to Malta in the Mediterranean. The squadron flew off the Ark Royal on the 21st, Neil leading the second group of Hurricanes.
After a series of mishaps and misadventures, they all reached Malta safely.
On 12th June 1941, Neil destroyed a Mc 200 fighter of Italy's Regia Aeronautica.
Tour expired, he left Malta on 26th December 1941 and returned to the UK, via the Middle East, South Africa, West Africa and Canada, finally arriving at Liverpool in early March 1942.
Neil was posted to 81 Group as Tactics Officer. He went to 56 OTU in mid-June and on 1st September 1942 he took command of 41 Squadron at Llanbedr.
In July 1943, he was posted to 53 OTU, Kirton-on-Lindsey, as an instructor. He later went to the 9th US Army Air Force, as Flying Liaison Officer with the 100th Fighter Wing. After D-Day Neil did some operational flying in France, as a supernumerary.
In January 1945, Neil was posted to the School of Land/Air Warfare at Old Sarum, instructing and lecturing.
Subsequently, he went to Burma in March 1945, investigating. Whilst there, he flew some operational sorties with No 1 Indian Wing. He returned to Old Sarum in April, leaving there in January 1946 to go on an Empire Test Pilots’ course at Cranfield.
Thomas Neil was awarded the Bronze Star Medal(US) (2-8-49) and the AFC (2-1-56).
Thomas Neil retired from the RAF in 1964, as a Wing Commander. In retirement, he has written a number of books and articles about his wartime experiences.
Neil passed away on July 11, 2018, three days shy of what would have been his 98th birthday.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 19, 2023
Tom Neil is a very rare person, a fighter ace who can really write. I've read so many of these pilot biographies, and they range between dull as dishwater, and completely fascinating, and it's so nice to read a good one. Tom Neil is very honest and frank, he made mistakes, but he learnt from them, and I guess that is why he was so successful. He’s quite critical of the Hawker Hurricane, it simply wasn’t good enough compared to the Bf109, this is quite different to the version of events I grew up with, which was that the Hurricane was OK, but the Spitfire was marvelous, and of course being British both were superior to anything German. Nice to finally read an honest opinion from a pilot who was there and flew both Hurricane and Spitfire, the Spitfire was closer to equal with the Bf109 during the Battle of Britain. It makes you wonder about some of the other narratives from WW2.
January 18, 2024
A day to day account of the life of a Hurricane pilot in the Battle of Britain. Does what it says on the tin with no over glamorisation. I am akways struck when reading such books by the low opinion most of his contemporaries had of Douglas Bader!
April 19, 2015
An Excellent Read!
An excellent writer, Tom Neil spins a tale of his time with 249 Squadron during the Battle of Britain. His squadron mates include a number of well-known pilots including James Nicolson, winner of Fighter Command's only Victoria Cross during the Battle of Britain. You will find it hard to put this book down!
An excellent writer, Tom Neil spins a tale of his time with 249 Squadron during the Battle of Britain. His squadron mates include a number of well-known pilots including James Nicolson, winner of Fighter Command's only Victoria Cross during the Battle of Britain. You will find it hard to put this book down!
January 14, 2019
This book scores a bull’s eye for authenticity. Not all biographies are entirely reliable but this one is beautifully authenticated by possibly its most uncomfortable feature – the acknowledgement by the author of the detachment he felt at the time by the loss of his colleagues and by the absence of sympathy he felt for enemy pilots. From this distance each of those admissions seem cold-hearted but it is easy to make that judgement when we lack the immediate context of the action at the heart of this book.
Neil later modifies his views, but it is unlikely that he would have been able to conduct himself as effectively as he did during the airborne battle over the south of England in 1940 had he been hampered by emotionally wrangling with the losses that he witnessed and caused. The conflicting contradictions of the time cut through this account as he recounts the stiff upper lip normality fighting with the crushing reality of facing a machine of brutal conquest that had subjugated seven European countries in less than twelve months.
He is also refreshingly honest about his own shortcomings and thus drives home the humanity that lies beneath the heroism demanded by the obligations of his service.
The reader looking for aviation history detail will not be disappointed as Neil takes to the air initially in the infamous Spitfire and then the less aesthetically glamorous but more rugged Hurricane. We learn first-hand about the attributes and foibles of each, but it is the daily grind that leaves the deepest impression. As with all wars, the action is brief and spaced with long periods of anticipation, frustration and deprivation. That too, underlines the authenticity – however for the general reader it may also cause a little dissatisfaction. The book is almost a diary and while that certainly aides its historic accuracy, it does add a certain monotony. Whilst undoubtedly true, the regularity of the structure can at times be just a little trying. More incisive editing would have made the read even more enjoyable at no cost to the emphasis on the drudgery of the duties described.
The book focuses on the Battle of Britain and includes an appendix giving accounts of what happened to Neil’s colleagues and this also is a little ungainly – sometimes repetitive and at other times providing details that may have brought even more colour to the main body of the book.
This is a very worthy work, however, providing an intimate record of a pivotal period in the Second World War. Historians question just how integral this conflict was to the halting of Hitler. Neil himself ponders its impact, but laments most of all the lives he could not mourn when he was too busy trying to win it, or at least survive it.
Neil later modifies his views, but it is unlikely that he would have been able to conduct himself as effectively as he did during the airborne battle over the south of England in 1940 had he been hampered by emotionally wrangling with the losses that he witnessed and caused. The conflicting contradictions of the time cut through this account as he recounts the stiff upper lip normality fighting with the crushing reality of facing a machine of brutal conquest that had subjugated seven European countries in less than twelve months.
He is also refreshingly honest about his own shortcomings and thus drives home the humanity that lies beneath the heroism demanded by the obligations of his service.
The reader looking for aviation history detail will not be disappointed as Neil takes to the air initially in the infamous Spitfire and then the less aesthetically glamorous but more rugged Hurricane. We learn first-hand about the attributes and foibles of each, but it is the daily grind that leaves the deepest impression. As with all wars, the action is brief and spaced with long periods of anticipation, frustration and deprivation. That too, underlines the authenticity – however for the general reader it may also cause a little dissatisfaction. The book is almost a diary and while that certainly aides its historic accuracy, it does add a certain monotony. Whilst undoubtedly true, the regularity of the structure can at times be just a little trying. More incisive editing would have made the read even more enjoyable at no cost to the emphasis on the drudgery of the duties described.
The book focuses on the Battle of Britain and includes an appendix giving accounts of what happened to Neil’s colleagues and this also is a little ungainly – sometimes repetitive and at other times providing details that may have brought even more colour to the main body of the book.
This is a very worthy work, however, providing an intimate record of a pivotal period in the Second World War. Historians question just how integral this conflict was to the halting of Hitler. Neil himself ponders its impact, but laments most of all the lives he could not mourn when he was too busy trying to win it, or at least survive it.
April 24, 2020
One star short of constellation.
This could be one of my favorite Battle of Britain books. The author was deeply involved in the combats with inadequate fighters - no, the Hurricanes were not that great - that turned back the superior Me-109s and invasion. The epilogue is particularly moving, with remembrances of those the author knew, and of many who died. My “fifth star” hesitancy is the author’s occasional descent into anti-semitism, as witness his references to “curly-haired citizens” he felt were avoiding service. He never actually identifies his objects of contempt, but his intent is obvious. Given that his account, and he, were products of their time is scant excuse. But history remains, and this is history for the ages. It’s your call.
This could be one of my favorite Battle of Britain books. The author was deeply involved in the combats with inadequate fighters - no, the Hurricanes were not that great - that turned back the superior Me-109s and invasion. The epilogue is particularly moving, with remembrances of those the author knew, and of many who died. My “fifth star” hesitancy is the author’s occasional descent into anti-semitism, as witness his references to “curly-haired citizens” he felt were avoiding service. He never actually identifies his objects of contempt, but his intent is obvious. Given that his account, and he, were products of their time is scant excuse. But history remains, and this is history for the ages. It’s your call.
December 7, 2024
Bearing in mind that this book was written more than 40 years after the action, it is a compelling, hugely detailed and beautifully written account of a Hurricane fighter pilot's experience of the Battle of Britain. Whilst there is a lot of detail about places and people, the writing really comes alive when describing the dogfights with the enemy. So much so, you can sense his frustration when a sortie didn't result in enemy contact. It's interesting that the book finishes somewhat abruptly when it's clear that he continued through the war and, in the epilogue, refers to hard times flying in the defence of Malta - will have to check if Ginger wrote about that too.
November 11, 2018
You can feel the emotion in this book, it's so raw, and I recognise it from my youth, honest and unsentimental, it is a very insightful view on a young man's thoughts and feelings when thrust from nowhere into such an extreme test at such a young age. Quite an incredible emotional journey. I enjoyed this book so much, sometimes made me feel perhaps that I had missed out, which sounds ridiculous I know; the writer has quite a talent to immerse and involve you in the emotion of the moment.
June 24, 2019
An objective, eyewitness view
The author has a conversational delivery which is thoroughly engaging.
Obviously being in the cockpit during the Battle of Britain and beyond enables an eyewitness view and is able to take the reader along with him.
Our gratitude will never be enough to the men and women that experienced and triumphed during WWII.
The author has a conversational delivery which is thoroughly engaging.
Obviously being in the cockpit during the Battle of Britain and beyond enables an eyewitness view and is able to take the reader along with him.
Our gratitude will never be enough to the men and women that experienced and triumphed during WWII.
February 19, 2019
You feel like a 19-year-old author is just chatting to you. Great insight into a young fighter pilot's life in 1940, Tom Neil captures the raw emotions and exhilaration of flying so well. Highly recommended.
February 5, 2020
It’s a really really good read. He tells of the mixture of extreme excitement and fear and tedium of repetition that was all a part of combat flying in the Battle of Britain. If you are interested in that subject you will love this book
December 22, 2019
Not a bad book, at times it seemed to gloss over events. The epilogue was good, it followed up some of the people in the book quite well. Tom Neil also managed to retain the style of language he used during 1940 to allow the reader to gain a better experience, by gum.
June 6, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s a brilliant account of The Battle of Britain, a period in which I am fascinated by.
Very good book.
Very good book.
September 19, 2021
I enjoyed this. Not as good as Paul Richey's Fighter Pilot or Geoffrey Wellam's First Light but still a good and wholly authentic read.
October 23, 2023
A startling record of a young mans immersion into 249 Hurricane squadron. We owe so much to these men who gave everthing they had to preserve our way of life! Very difficult to put down...
June 19, 2023
Tom Neil flew 141 combat missions during the Battle of Britain and his only serious mishap was when he had a mid-air collision with another Hurricane which is incredible in itself. Gun button to fire is a great personal account of a hurricane pilot during the Battle of Britain. Highly recommended!
November 1, 2016
"A Gun Button to Fire" 1987. At 96 years of age, Tom Neil is one of the last living heroes of The Battle Britain.
March 8, 2025
Enjoyed this book very much. Well written
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews