First Light: Original Edition (Penguin World War II Collection)

Product Information

Soon after getting back from Duxford that weekend I wrote to him, and told him that I had some leave coming up and I’d very much like to come down to Cornwall and see him on one of those days, to take him for a beer and say thank you for everything. Read all In May 1940 eighteen-year old Geoffrey Wellum joins the 92 squadron of the Royal Air Force and is taken to the pub,where pilots who have seen action sign their names on a blackboard. First edition hard back binding in publisher's original maroon cloth covered boards, blocked and lettered gilt back, illustrated end papers. It touches the heart, it is a true and honest account of a Veteran Pilot who served his country throughout the 2nd world war as a heroic pilot. He provides accounts of take-offs and landings, dogfights, night flying, and flying in dreadful weather.

It rather brilliantly managed to convey the thoughts and feelings of the author while in the cockpit. Finally in Malta, he succumbs to combat fatigue that's deep enough that a chronic sinusitus makes him unfit for flying. The most memorable aspects of this memoir (for me) were the sense of serene freedom enjoyed by the author whilst in the air during the pre-operational part of his training, the quiet but deep bonds of friendship between the author and his fellow pilots and the moments of humour expressed in snappy prose and quoted speech. It was a slightly extra curricular activity, but Chichester was local to where he lived, and also local to my home.Unfortunately, he said, he couldn’t attend the event as he was busy travelling around to lots of other events and couldn’t quite fit it in.

Incidentally, it was around this time that I learned my grandfather flew the Typhoon during WWII and that his last flight was from Goodwood. This gives his book great momentum and immediacy and it is consequently much less alienating than if it had begun along the lines "I well remember in the summer of 1940. I’ve admired and collected Philip’s paintings for quite a few years now, and I continue to enjoy them to this day. Tortured by fierce headaches, even in the midst of battle, he could not bear the thought of "not pulling your weight," of letting the other pilots risk their lives in his place.My gamble to go into instructing first in an effort to gain a lot of tailwheel experience in a short space of time, rather than to the airlines and more money, was starting to look like it might have been worth it. It's a good thing to see this kind of movie and remind ourselves that what we enjoy and even deride today cost the ultimate sacrifice of millions. Reading it, you feel you are in the Spitfire with him, at 20,000ft, chased by a German Heinkel, with your ammunition gone' Independent'A brilliantly fresh, achingly written memoir. His parting words were “don’t let the bastards grind you down” with a cheeky grin on his face and twinkle in his eye. This is his beautifully and candidly written account of what it felt like to be part of a fighter squadron and to fly a Spitfire, the camaraderie, fear, confusion and excitement of flying and fighting, which eventually led to combat fatigue.

v=1667583269"}},{"id":405389541628,"handle":"world-book-day","title":"World Book Day","updated_at":"2024-01-28T20:20:17+00:00","body_html":"Enjoy World Book Day on 2 March with our fantastic range of aviation and RAF themed books for all ages, and why not help your little future pilot dress the part in one of our official RAF Display Team flying suits.Although there is an aching sense that Wellum himself is unsure of the answer, to the reader there is no doubt: that we live to read what you have written is testament to your life and its worth. moving yet startlingly clear-eyed -- Andrew Pettie * Telegraph * One of the most gripping personal accounts of aerial warfare ever written -- Nigel Fountain * Guardian * There have been countless books about the Battle of Britain. We become so involved during the battles that we feel as though we’re in the cockpit with him, being chased by Messerschmitt 109. Back to the pub, a slightly more sombre affair this time, with photos and a book of condolence laid out.