Product Description

Gerald Stapleton was born in Durban, South Africa in 1920. In January 1939 he took up a short service commission in the RAF and eventually joined 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron in December 1939, prior to becoming on of the outstanding fighter pilots of the Battle of Britain, accounting for nearly 20 enemy aircraft destroyed, probably destroyed or damaged. All his scores were achieved on Spitfires during this battle and he was revered as one of Richard Hillary's contemporaries in whose book "The Last Enemy", he features. Nicknamed "Stapme" after a phrase used in his favourite cartoon strip "Just Jake", in February 1942 he became flight commander of 257 Squadron, then joined 2 ADF at Colerne the following year before becoming a gunnery instructor at RAF Kenley and Central Gunnery School, Catfoss. He returned to operations in August 1944 to command 247 Squadron on Typhoons. He received the Dutch Flying Cross for his part in the Arnhem operations. Forced to land inside German lines in December 1944, he spent the rest of the war in Stalag Luft I on the Baltic coast. One of the real "characters" to survive the war, and to many the quintessential image of a Battle of Britain fighter pilot, Stapme tells his full story to historian David Ross.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #286445 in Books
• Published on: 2002-07-22
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 192 pages

Customer Reviews

Stapme - Battle of Britain pilot
I decided to read "Stapme" after reading David Ross's superb biography of Richard Hillary (both Stapme and Richard Hillary served with 603 Squadron during the Battle of Britain) and I thoroughly recommend it. It's very well-written and really enjoyable to read. Stapme has had such an interesting life - a WW11 fighter pilot, a POW in Germany during the latter part of the war, his post-war adventures back home in South Africa and now retirement in England. His story is told so engagingly in this book which is also very well illustrated. I have met Stapme several times at various book-signings and airshows so if you get the chance to meet him after you've read the book do so!

Another outstanding book from David Ross
Another well researched and superbly crafted book from David Ross. David's style and content appeals to both aviation historians and those who simply have an interest in this crucial period of British history: there is something for everyone. Importantly David Ross brings fresh insights into the personalities of 'The Few' such as Gerald Stapleton as well military history of 1940.