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Spitfire Pilot

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Spitfire Pilot

By: Flight-Lieutentant David M. Crook DFC, Richard Overy
Narrated by: Steven Crossley
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About this listen

At the outbreak of the Second World War D. M. Crook, of No. 609 Squadron AAF, was at Yeadon, still undergoing his training; by the winter of 1939-40, he had his wings.

Successfully applying to return to his Squadron, then on defense duties in northern England, Crook began to familiarize himself with their new fighter: the Spitfire.

Soon they were posted to RAF Northolt, and it was at this time that Crook, much to his chagrin, was left grounded, undergoing knee surgery as they flew over Dunkirk.

Following the Allied evacuation from France, Crook returned to the air and found himself facing the relentless sorties as the skies above Britain transformed into a battlefield. In one particularly frank passage, Crook recounts how he mistakenly shot down a Blenheim, going on to illustrate how easy it was for pilots to misidentify aircraft.

Spitfire Pilot is a remarkable account of one officer's life in 609 Squadron during one of the most famous battles of the Second World War.

©1942 David M. Crook; Introduction copyright 2006 by Richard Overy; On 609 Squadron copyright 2006 by Sandy Hunter; Preface copyright 2006 by Rosemary Loyd (P)2018 Tantor Air Forces Armed Forces Military War Aviation

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Journalism is often called the first draft of history. This is before that. A decorated pilot the author was trained as a pilot before the Second World War started so was part of the much storied Few during the Battle of Britain. Much has been written about the subject. Richard Collier's 'Eagle Day' is excellent on the big picture and drew on sources while they were still alive. But David Crook's memoir written months after they events in question puts gives you a first hand account. It is, however, a product of its time. Crook is self-effacing and quick to praise others. He acknowledges but does not dwell on the loss of colleagues. But that's just it. If we're looking at a contemporary memoir that's not it.

Before the first draft of history

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I always enjoy stories about the RAF during World War II and found this book to be no exception. The descriptions of the aerial battles are riveting, and you have a very good impression of the dangerous through which these brave man went.

The story of a very brave pilot.

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I didn't enjoy the reading. It was like listening to an edition of Thomas the Tank Engine. such a pity as the story was edge of the seat stuff. Pretty politically incorrect too given it was written in the 1940s. Mentions of 'niggers' and 'Huns' which wouldn't happen today. Nonetheless I'm glad I listened to it.

Great story badly read.

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loved this, Felt the narrator perfectly captured the atmosphere.
my appreciation for our hero's of that time has somehow manged to be increased on hearing Mr Crook's story. Forever grateful to them all!!

Great story.

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An excellent diary of one man and his squadron’s heroic battle. What comes across is the relentless sorties and also the loss of so many young men, some of whom had grown up together. Forever grateful to The Few.

B of B diary- enlightening

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A very enjoyable, down to earth insight into the life of a WW2 fighter pilot.
It is very well narrated and once started, I found it very difficult to stop listening,
Highly recommended.

Fascinating book.

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I’ve been through a through of these books now, the likes of Tim Vigors, Geoffrey Wellham etc. and this is another fantastic account of a fighter pilots life during WWII.

Fascinating!

A brilliant book, engagingly narrated.

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absolutely loved it great insight to a fighter pilots life during combat ! ! !

Great listening

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Excellently told stor, with a flair for understatements. The human toll among pilots in the early years of ww2 were horrific. The dice were tossed every time one left the ground, whether combat or training flights. Individual skills played a part in survival, but surpricingly little. Countless great pilots were lost regardless. One tends to forget that memoars are usually told by the survivors. This story is an exception to the rule.

one of the bettet pilot memoars of ww2.

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written as is was in 1940-42 in a front line squadron. like being a part of it.
brilliant.

superb account of squadron life

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