Fight for the Sky : The Story of the Spitfire and Hurricane

Pen & Sword Books are proud to be reissuing this, the only book written by the legendary 'legless' ace Douglas Bader (immortalized by the film Reach For the Sky). He tells the inspiring story of the Battle of Britain from the viewpoint of 'The Few'. Using superb illustrations he traces the development of the Spitfire and Hurricane, and describes the nail-biting actions of those who flew them against far superior numbers of enemy aircraft. As an added bonus, other well-known fighter aces including Johnnie Johnson, "Laddie' Lucas and Max Aitken contribute to Douglas's book, no doubt out of affection and respect. This is a really important contribution to RAF history by one of the greatest - and certainly the most famous - pilots of the Second World War Arguably the greatest, and certainly the best known, fighter ace of the Second World War, Group Captain Douglas Bader CBE, DSO, DFC wrote only one book. Fight For The Sky, which Pen and Sword Books are honoured to re-publish in a completely fresh format. Invalided out of the RAF in 1933 after losing both legs in a flying accident, Bader rejoined in 1939. In a short time despite his disability, he became a national legend flying both Spitfires and Hurricanes with remarkable success and proving himself to be a charismatic leader of the highest order. In August 1941 his luck ran out and he was brought down over France becoming a prisoner-of-war. Fight For The Sky traces the service of these two great fighter aircraft which became as legendary as the Author himself. The Battle of Britain in 1940 is a crucial chapter in this story but there are many others. The book benefits hugely from the vivid experiences not just of Douglas Bader himself but his fellow pilots, many of whom contributed to this unique record.

Although Sir Douglas Bader died in 1982 and the Spitfire and the Hurricane are now treasured collectors' items, Fight For The Sky is a thrilling and vivid reminder of just how much we all owe to these superb aircraft and the gallant young men who flew them to victory.

The only book written by the legendary "legless" ace, the double amputee World War II fighter pilot immortalized by the film Reach for the Sky . In Fight for the Sky , Douglas Bader tells the inspiring story of the Battle of Britain from the viewpoint of "The Few." Using superb illustrations he traces the development of the Spitfire and Hurricane and describes the nail-biting actions of those who flew them against far superior numbers of enemy aircraft. As an added bonus, other well-known fighter aces including Johnnie Johnson, "Laddie" Lucas and Max Aikten contribute to Douglas's book, no doubt out of affection and respect. This a really important contribution to RAF history by one of the greatest--and certainly the most famous--pilot of the Second World War. Pen and Sword Books are proud to be re-issuing this the only book that the legendary 'legless' ace Douglas Bader (immortalised by the film Reach For The Sky) wrote. He tells the inspiring story of the Battle of Britain from the viewpoint of 'The Few'. Using superb illustrations he traces the development of the Spitfire and Hurricane and describes the nail-biting actions of those who flew them against far superior numbers of enemy aircraft. As an added bonus, other well-known fighter aces including Johnnie Johnson, 'Laddie' Lucas and Max Aikten contribute to Douglas's book, no doubt out of affection and respect. This is a really important contribution to RAF history by one of the greatest -and certainly the most famous - pilot of the Second World War. [Elib]