A Willingness to Die, Life & Memories in Fighter Command and Beyond

Kingcome, Brian & Ford, Peter (Ed)

ISBN 10: 0752416936 / ISBN 13: 9780752416939

Published by Tempus Publishing, Stroud, UK, 1999

About this Item

Includes several b/w photographs. xviii, 188pp. Slight crushing to head and foot of DJ spines.

Seller Inventory # 52322

Bibliographic Details

• Title: A Willingness to Die, Life & Memories in Fighter Command and Beyond
• Publisher: Tempus Publishing, Stroud, UK
• Publication Date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0752416936
• ISBN 13: 9780752416939
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Very Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good
• Weight: 700 grams
• Seller catalogs:
  • WW2: Biographies and Memoirs
  • WW2: Aircraft and Aerial Warfare

About this title

Synopsis

In 1938 Brian Kingcome joined the RAF with a permanent commission and was posted to No.65 Fighter Squadron at Hornchurch, soon to be equipped with the Spitfire, and so it came about that Brain flew the Spitfire throughout the war. He became acting CO for No.92 Squadron at Biggin Hill and led over sixty operations., achieving the highest success rate of any squadron in the Battle of Britain. In May 1943 Brian joined Desert Air Force in Malta and took command of 244 Wing. At this time he was confirmed Flight Lieutenant, acting Squadron Leader, acting Wing Commander and at twenty-five was one of the youngest Group Captains in the Royal Air Force. Brian Kingcome may have been the last Battle of Britain Pilot of repute to put his extraordinary story into print; looked upon by other members of his squadron as possibly their finest pilot, his nonetheless unassuming memoirs are related with a subtle and compassionate regard for a generation who were, as he felt, born to a specific task. Brian's memoirs have been edited and introduced by Peter Ford, ex- National Serviceman in Malaya.