A Royal Air Force fighter pilot's action-packed memoir of his service before, during, and after the epic World War II battle.
Originally published during the war in 1942, this is the other side of the mirror from the philosophical flight record of authors such as Antoine de Saint Exupery. It is a literal, daily record of an English fighter pilot of 23 years fighting in the Battle of Britain, giving a truly authentic picture of life on a squadron in those times.
Gleed details his first sortie in 1939, his breakdown not so long after, his return to the RAF and battles over France, his exploits in the Battle of Britain, becoming an ace, downing Messerschmitts, and eventually being awarded the DFC for his service as leader and fighter.
Praise for Arise to Conquer
"An epic of the Battle of Britain." The Sphere (UK)
"An excellent account of the daily life of a fighter squadron in the Battle of Britain gives spirited descriptions of many air combats." Flight