Five of the Few (Reminiscence) - Softcover

Darlow, Steve

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0753194791 ISBN 13: 9780753194799

Publisher: ISIS Large Print Books

Synopsis

Churchill’s ‘Few’ will forever be remembered by history as men who thwarted the seemingly invincible German war machine, when all seemed lost. They countered the full force of the Luftwaffe in the daylight battles during the summer of 1940, and in the night skies of the winter and spring of 1940/41. They were at the time, and still are, perceived as knights of the air, as our heroes. Now, five distinguished RAF airmen, four pilots and one radar operator/navigator, who fought that air battle during the Battle of Britain and the Blitz, have recounted their experiences in detail to author Steve Darlow. Their stories have never before been published, and they talk engagingly of their service life, combats, losses, injuries, friendships and fears – flying Spitfires, Hurricanes, Blenheims, Beaufighters and Havocs. One pilot tells of the time he fell victim to the enemy – ‘My Spitfire stopped being a flying machine, it became a lump of metal. I was going down with it and I couldn’t get out. I broke the seat by standing on it. The pressure throwing me into the bottom was terrific...’ A Beaufighter radar operator remembers being involved in shooting down a German aircraft – ‘He took a vertical dive, struck the ground and exploded with a shower of incendiaries. I felt like a child with a new toy. I had at last proved myself but for some reason I suddenly felt a little sad.’ But Five of the Few is not just about the experiences of these men during 1940/41. They would also distinguish themselves in subsequent air campaigns – night defense of the UK, offensive operations over the continent and support to D-Day and beyond. In between the aerial combats and ground attack operations, promotions, decorations and command responsibilities would come their way. But not all would make it through safely to the end of the war. One would end up behind barbed wire. Collectively Five of the Few is a war story of youth maturing, through aspiration and idealism, courage and bravado, fear and heroism, memory and reflection. It is a reminder of why so much was owed, and still is, by so many to so few.

About this title

About the Author

Steve Darlow born in Tonbridge Kent on 7th November 1966, completed secondary education at the Thomas Alleyne School, Stevenage and then went to Loughborough University, gaining a 2:1 in Physical Education, Sports Science and Mathematics. He played national league basketball for a number of years and gained 16 England caps. Writing is now his main occupation and he is married with two young sons

About this edition

• Publisher: ISIS Large Print Books
• ISBN 10: 0753194791
• ISBN 13: 9780753194799
• Binding: Paperback