In the original dustsheet. Red cloth binding with gilt title on the spine.

• F.B.A. provides an in-depth photographic presentation of this item to stimulate your feeling and touch. More traditional book descriptions are immediately available.

In this work Wing Commander R.W. Sampson OBE, DFC and Bar recounts his World War II experiences. It describes the time he spent with 602 Squadron, 131 Squadron, the Culmhead Wing, and with SHAPE in Paris in the 1960s. Good tight reading copy, good glossy wrappers. “Sammy” Sampson, in cooperation with aviation historian Norman Franks, has written a graphic account of his three years flying Spitfires on offensive ops over France. He has covered in detail his period commanding the Free French Wing, of which little has been recorded in Britain. His story is told with pace , spice and honesty, and his recollections of people and events provide a refreshing insight into the life of a wartime fighter pilot who previously played rugby for Scotland. “Yet another Grub Street success. Well worth reading, told with verve and an intensity that portrays the subject’s character to the full.” “Aviation News.” Illustrated historic photographs throughout.

Review: A very decent piece of work but too brief. I’d also prefer these pilots to give us more information about their colleagues other than admiring their “pluck”. Habits, bugbears, a bit more “dialogue” would have made it a better piece of history.

Norman Leslie Robert Franks (born 1940: died May 2023) is an English militaria writer who specialised in aviation topics. He focuses on the pilots and squadrons of World Wars I and II.