Blue Arena

Blue Arena

 

Bob Spurdle's operational career began as a Spitfire pilot in 74 Squadron, one of Sailor Malan's Tigers, and it was the Spitfire that was to dominate his flying career throughout the rest of the Second World War. Impatient to fly and a rebel against blind officialdom, he wangled one operational posting after another, and was still in action in August 1945. In the meantime he had destroyed eight enemy aircraft, probably four more, and damaged at least fifteen others. After leaving 74 Squadron he flew with 91 Squadron and with the Merchant Ship Fighter Unit, then returned to his native New Zealand to fly against the Japanese. But he returned to the UK in 1944 as a flight commander in 80 Squadron, becoming their CO in July. For the last part of the war he was attached to the 6th Airborne Division for Army Co-operation work flying by glider into Germany, and then on to the Elbe by 11th Armoured Division tank.

 

Bob Spurdle is a natural writer. Few have expressed so vividly and plainly the exhilarations and fears of the fighter pilot in action, what it feels like to be jumped by a gaggle of Me 109s, to cope with the pressures of losing friends, of flying continually in action as part of an elite force on whom survival of Britain and her allies depended.

 

 

Bob Spurdle

Hadcover with like d/w of 236pp, Ex Lib. William Kimber Co. 1986 1st Ed

 

Good only/Good only

Book Code:  SH3207

Our Price:£8.95
Quantity:

Add to Basket

»Add to Wish List