Product Description

Born in London of an English father and Australian mother and educated in Switzerland, Billy Drake was to become one of the most illustrious RAF fighter pilots of World War II. He flew in many theatres with various squadrons on different aircraft - starting with 1 Squadron in France in 1940 on Hurricanes, then with 421 Flight (later 91 Squadron) on Spitfires over the Channel, then in West Africa with 128 and the Desert with 112 "Shark" Squadron on Kittyhawks. Taken off operations a the end of 1942, he was posted to Malta leading the Krendi Wing. On return to the UK he led a 2nd TAF Typhoon Wing, flying numerous sorties over the French coast prior to the invasion. He eventually accounted for more than 20 enemy aricraft destroyed or damaged. He was then despatched to Fort Leavenworth USA with Peter Brothers, then to Operations Staff SHAEF HQ for the rest of the war. Postwar he was to be found in Japan, at HQ Malaya and Singapore, followed by a succession of staff appointments, including Air Attache in Switzerland. His final posting was a Group Captain commanding RAF Chivenor, Devon, until retirement in 1963. A colourful personality, he gives the reader insights into his exceptional career, his widely differing experiences, the characters he knew and flew with and the humorous highlights of an RAF lifestyle.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #524953 in Books
• Published on: 2002-07-22
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 192 pages

Customer Reviews

A half hearted narrative of a great WWII Pilot
This account of the life and times of Group Captain Drake is dissapointing in the most politeful way. Lacking historical detail and context this is a shallow and unispiring narrative lacking intellectual quality. I'm surprised it found a publishing house. The subject even confesses to having had little interest in the project! It is best avoided if you are looking to add any significant historical value and understanding to your interest or studies in the history of Fighter Command between 1935 and 1946.
That said, this man put his life and skills on the line for the freedom of Britain and should have been rewarded by this country accordingly. Regretably this appears to not have happened. I'm only sorry this rather belated account of the war does not live up to expectations and is no match for many other great works of this nature.

Bill Drake fighter leader
Excellent read and interesting perspective from one who actually took such an active role with so much success. I found billy's recollections of his colleagues of 1 Squadron in France during the phoney war and blitzkreig absorbing and tantalising and much too brief, this can be excused by the amount of time that has elapsed since that time.I particularly like his warmth and human perspective with respect to his post war activities, sucesses and disappointments and his fantastic ability to not take himself far too seriously. It is this ability which gives the book its appeal and readability.In summary an excellent testimony to one of our last remaining unsung heroes.