THE GREATEST SQUADRON OF THEM ALL — THE DEFINITIVE HISTORY OF 603 (CITY OF EDINBURGH) SQUADRON, RAUXAF — VOLUME 1: FORMATION TO THE END OF 1940 — SIGNED BOOK
Prix régulier 150,00 € TTC 6%
Characteristics
| ISBN-13 | 9781904010494 |
| ISBN-10 | 1904010490 |
| Book cover finish(es) | Hardcover ( square back binding ) dust jacket |
| Special Features | • Signed Book |
| Condition | Like NEW |
| Author(s) | David Ross, Bruce Blanche, William Simpson |
| Publisher | Grub Street |
| Number of pages | 384 |
| Published date | 2003 |
| Language(s) | English |
| Size | 18 x 25.5 x 4 cm |
Description
'As I write, memories come crowding in upon me, and from their store I give you this of 603. They were, I think, the greatest Squadron of them all.'
This is how Group Captain C. A. 'Boy' Bouchier, the CO of RAF Hornchurch during the Battle of Britain, once described 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron RAuxAF. This two-volume study, written by the three most knowledgeable historians on the subject, will show how the pilots and ground crew more than earned such a reputation throughout their proud history.
Basing their research on the 603 Squadron archive, Public Record Office documents, letters, and diary and logbook entries, here is the most comprehensive tribute ever written to this award-winning group of men.
Volume One takes the reader through the early years of what was initially a bomber unit with its colourful characters, through the Phoney War, during which 603 destroyed the first enemy aircraft over British soil since WW1, and into the Battle of Britain. Here, extensive detail on the personnel involved is provided in the form of pen-portraits of each pilot, many of them fascinating characters who became household names, including amongst others, Richard Hillary, Gerald Stapleton, Black Morton, Rusty Rushmer and Bubble Waterston.
The outstanding achievements of pilots and ground crew are presented as a day-by-day commentary and analysis which centres on the sacrifices made during those all too hectic days. The loss of the auxiliary Edinburgh pilots especially was deeply felt by their colleagues as well as the folk back home in the Scottish capital.
A comprehensive selection of over 300 photographs is included, most never before published, and an exhaustive list of appendices unearths much new information.
This exceptional story is full of fascinating anecdotes and emotional memories, kept alive today by the 603 Association, which consists of surviving ground crew members, most of whom served at Hornchurch during the Battle of Britain. Thanks to them and this study, the memory of the Few and their unit history will live on.