First Light: Original Edition (Penguin World War II Collection)

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The relentless stiff upper lip and jolly RAF banter are also a little bit wearing over the course of 350 pages. First Light – Battle of Britain July 1940 – Another busy start to the day at Biggin Hill in the summer of 1940. This is a wonderful book of a young man who joined the Royal Air Force before the start of World War Two and who later fought during the Battle of Britain and survived.

I find his work, including the backgrounds featured, to be very evocative, moving and highly commendable. Light reading creasing to spine; tiny chipping to base of spine; else a very good plus copy of a SCARCE first paperback edition, ninth printing SIGNED BY AUTHOR, GEOFFREY WELLUM. First Light: The Story of the Boy Who Became a Man in the War-Torn Skies Above Britain is a 2002 memoir by Geoffrey Wellum, a Royal Air Force fighter pilot in the Second World War. I was leading Spitfires of 124 Squadron when we were protecting our bombers in daylight over occupied Europe.

Firstly, it is the memoir of a boy growing into manhood while flying Spitfires during the Battle of Britain. A stunning collection of Philip’s finest works, encompassing all of the most famous aircraft from around the world. He is not a combat hero, an ‘ace’ (someone who has shot down five enemy aircraft), though he was a good pilot. Come down the travelators, exit Sainsbury's, turn right and follow the pedestrianised walkway to Crown Walk and turn right - and Coles will be right in front of you. I found it hard to put the book down late at night, which brought forth a moan from my wife about turning the lamp off or else!

Phenomenal insight into the life of a pilot, from training to fighting during the battle of Britian and beyond. Finally in Malta, he succumbs to combat fatigue that's deep enough that a chronic sinusitus makes him unfit for flying.You read with sadness the loss of many good pilots and friends but still the men continue flying day after day facing terrible odds. The first third of the book recounts Wellum's pilot training, and it really captures the pressure and intensity as he is transformed from a schoolboy into a pilot. It was about a young lad who had written to Geoffrey for years and who had arranged to come down and see him, but he had died a few days before, but the young lad came down anyway and was gutted. I rang him back, explained that I worked for Penguin Books and asked if he wanted me to show it to a few people.

rich in detail' James Holland, Wall Street Journal, 'Five Best World War II Memoirs''An extraordinarily deeply moving and astonishingly evocative story. He fought throughout the Battle of Britain and through to the end of 1941 as the RAF started to conduct more operations over France, and after a spell as an instructor took part in Operation Pedestal to relieve Malta.Immediately memories and visions of those dramatic days of September 1940 were rekindled with a clarity that I did not consider possible. He describes a hilarious scene during his first day in the prestigious 92nd Squadron when his commader discovered that Wellum had not only never flown a Spitfire, he'd never even seen one. rich in detail -- James Holland * Wall Street Journal, 'Five Best World War II Memoirs' * Vivid, wholly convincing, compelling. First edition hard back binding in publisher's original maroon cloth covered boards, blocked and lettered gilt back, illustrated end papers.

Illustrated with photographs The Second World War memoirs of fighter pilot Geoffrey Wellum (1921-2018). A book for all ages and generations, a treasure * Daily Express * An extraordinarily deeply moving and astonishingly evocative story. He was going to “bend every ear he could in Whitehall, the Air Ministry” as he said, “and anyone else who would listen.

There is also a sense of fun and good humour in this section, which contrasts with the serious and intense tone of David Crooks "Spitfire Pilot" and Richard Hillary's "The Last Enemy. I found myself amazed as I read the book of how much this young man and his friends suffered in defending their country and their mates in the air. Years prior I had wanted to join the RAF but had been put off by some poor career advice and the teenage urge to “be cool” and fit in. These men, as young as 18, flew one of the fastest and deadliest aircraft at the time and many didn't make it through the campaign or even their first mission. He was still full of beans there, and once again, signed off to our group of young air force officers with his familiar catchphrase.