BATTLE OF BRITAIN

BATTLE OF BRITAIN

by Ted Barris.

2024 is the 100th Anniversary year of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Ted Barris brings together a host of Canadian fighter pilot's stories, from the battles above France and Britain.

We firstly learn how Canada became a training base for so many Allied air crew. It became a political game of chess between various governments as to who should foot the bill. Eventually 

the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, to give it its full title, would go on to train almost 200,000 personnel between 1939 and 1945.

An incredible contribution.

The majority of the pilot's stories were new to me. I learnt about how and why they became fighter pilots and Ted then shares their stories of travelling to Britain and serving with their particular squadrons.

Many of them had already got their pilots licence before the war had begun. One was even flying and demonstrating at air displays, aged just fifteen! Playing a trick on the watching crowd, he would dress up as a boy scout and to the horror of those watching, jump in the cockpit, start the engine and away!

As an unexpected bonus, towards the end of the book we head behind the scenes of the filming of the 1969 film, 'The Battle of Britain'. Several of these pilots flew in the production and also went along to the film's premiere. 

At a festival last year, I was lucky to pick up a copy of the premiere programme. A much cherished item.

This book has been a thoroughly enjoyable read. Ted's narrative moves along at a great pace. 

One hundred years of the RCAF deserves to be celebrated and those who have served, remembered. This book is a fitting tribute to just some of those very brave young Canadian men.

The hardback book is available in Canada and the US in September and in the UK in October.

It is published by Sutherland House.

I thank them for sending me this review copy over from Canada, it is very much appreciated.