Product Description

Few RAF pilots flew operationally from the beginning to the end of the Second World War. Fewer still can claim to have experienced action from Dunkirk and the Battle of Britain, El Alamein and the D-Day landings, to bomber escort duty in the closing days of the war in Europe. Peter Ayerst is one such man and his tale is, as yet, untold. Peter joined the RAF in 1938 on a short service commission and was despatched to France at the outbreak of war. He survived a confrontation with 27 enemy Messerschmitt Me109s but with his Spitfire riddled with bullets. During the Battle of Britain he shot down the first of his eight 'kills', a Heinkel He111. After serving with legendary fighter ace Douglas Bader, Peter was posted to North Africa in 1942 where he was forced to crash-land his Hurricane in a mine field. He later led repeated attacks on enemy motor transport, personally destroying a Junkers Ju52 and 17 vehicles. Peter flew Spitfires on intruder sorties over France before and during D-Day, on bomber escort duty against V-weapons sites and in support of mass daylight raids deep into Germany. Awarded the DFC in December 1944, he also flew as fighter escort to King George VI's Dakota. By th

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #808117 in Books
• Published on: 2004-05-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 256 pages

About the Author
Peter Ayerst spent eight years as a fighter pilot with the RAF throughout the Second World War, before eventually retiring as a wing commander. Hugh Thomas is a partner in a film and video production company.

Customer Reviews

One of the anonymous heroes no more.
Peter Ayerst's story is one that should have been told a long time ago,for this man's war and life is quite remarkable.If you like military history,aviaton in general or just a breathtaking biography this is for you.Peter Ayerst has crammed more into his 85 years than you would think it possible for one person to do in 150.This book tells not only of his war exploits but his post war Raf career up to flying the Lightning and then several more career's after that.One of the best books I have read,don't miss it.

So nearly, so far
Reverential deference is fine in a social setting, but not in a book. And "aw shucks" reticence irritates in a biography. When the subject gets chased and damaged by a swarm of German aeroplanes, we'd like to hear a bit about it, not just view the stiff upper lip later. It's for the author to prise the story out of the subject, and for the subject to open up and deliver the goods. Without both, there isn't a book. Combine this with the author's desire to trot out WW2 myths and legends as if they were facts, when they really could have done with a bit of checking, and you'll sense my irritation with this book. The allies didn't return to continental Europe five years after Dunkirk, it was three years into Italy and four into France.
Hugh Thomas has found a really interesting subject for a book, but missed his chance to add something important to the genre. His publishers also carry a good deal of blame, and I can't think why his editor allowed what looks like an early draft to hit the bookstalls.