D.F.C. Forbes

Much better than I expected, actually. Gripping first-hand stories of the reality of life in a Spitfire squadron, not all excitement but plenty of waiting, frustration and boredom, written by the young pilots themselves, not by professional authors. Some died even before the first edition was published in 1942. I'm always interested in period slang. "Peelow" and "bogle" were new to me, as was "weaver" describing a particular role in squadron flying formation. Some interesting snippets on dog-fighting tactics. Quite real and gritty.… (meer)