Cover Image: Scramble!

Scramble!

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Member Reviews

A really good read. For anyone who takes an interest in the air war in Europe during WWll, this is the book for you. We may have heard of the more popular airmen of that time but here is his own story of one of the most successful fighter pilots of the RAF with most of his victories achieved at night and at a young age. The book begins with his being shot down in 1944 and taken prisoner with his navigator, then takes us back through his life before the war, his interest in flying and joining up in 1938 to fly. His active career throughout the war is interspersed with his description of his conflicting interests while serving in the RAF and his marriage and growing family who were separated from him for most of his operational period. That relationship was not really mended until he was released from captivity in 1945.
The night fighting descriptions are fascinating as it deals with the fast moving technological developments of airborne radar on both sides and the tactics that were adopted to use that equipment effectively.

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A truly fantastic book covering one of Britain’s most-decorated and successful fighter pilots during world war two.
Written in a relaxed style that compels readers to not to put the book down, it delights the reader in detailing operations flying various aircraft documenting the combat experienced by the author.
It is refreshing to read about air combat operations in other aircraft of the RAF such as the Beaufighter and Mosquito than the usual Spitfire or Hurricane.
If you have an interest in air combat, aviation in general or love a good war story then this book is a must!
A compelling read, highly recommended as one of the best biographies of a World War Two fighter pilot!
This one needs to be on your bookshelf!

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Scramble is the whole story of a pilot who fought in WW2. The problem is - it's the whole story. It may be true to life but initially it's rather pedestrian - and a little boring. I asked for it as I thought I'd enjoy accounts of thrilling battles in the sky. 23% in, and...very little has happened. For those who were there or had wartime parents, it's evocative. But sadly, in this case, the truth is boring. I won't be reading further.

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