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In All Things First: No. 1 Squadron at War 1939-45 (Hardback)

Aviation > Aircraft > Spitfires & Hurricanes Aviation > WWII > Battle of Britain

By Peter Caygill
Imprint: Pen & Sword Aviation
Pages: 288
ISBN: 9781848840508
Published: 19th November 2009
Last Released: 23rd November 2009

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In All Thing's First looks in detail at 1 Squadron during the Second World War with particular emphasis on the pilots and its operational activities. 1 Squadron was active from a very early stage when it flew to France on 8 September 1939 as part of the Advanced Air Striking Force and played a significant role in the Battle of France. Unlike most other squadrons that fought in France, it also played a major part in the Battle of Britain in 11 Group.

Later in the war the Squadron had considerable success in the night intruder role and also took part in the defence against hit-and-run raiders. It was highly active over occupied Europe carrying out Rhubarb and Ramrod operations including the dive bombing of V-1 installations. When the V-1 campaign began 1 Squadron was the highest scoring Spitfire squadron. During the Second World War it flew the Hawker Hurricane from 1939-42 before converting to the Typhoon. In early 1944 it received Spitfire IXs and ended the war with the Griffon-powered Spitfire F.21. The main parts of the book are as follows

1) Early Days - a brief look at the history of 1 Squadron up to 1939
2) The First Team - pilot profiles
3) The Phoney War - Blitzkrieg - The Withdrawal from France
4) The Battle of Britain
5) Sweeps and Circuses in 1941
6) Night Intruders
7) The Typhoon - combat with Fw 190 Jabos and Ramrods
8) The Spitfire
9) The V-1 Campaign and conversion to the Spitfire F.21
10) The Post War Years - the No.1 Squadron story brought up to date

There will also be extensive appendices to include aircraft losses, details of selected operations and pilot escape and evasion.

As featured in.

Britain at War, 2010

Peter Caygill does a competent job of piecing together chronologically the squadron's wartime activity on Hurricane, Spitfire and Typhoon, benefiting from access to combat reports and first-hand accounts. His accounts of Rhubarbs, Ramrods, Circuses and other wartime operations are suitably informative and are illustrated by two 16 page black and white photo inserts with excellent- yes, excellent- reproduction.

Aircraft Magazine

All you ever wanted to know about RAF Number 1 Squadron. Recommended!

Control Towers.co.uk

About Peter Caygill

Peter Caygill is one of Britain's foremost aviation historians. His careful research includes meeting many pilots and aircrew who can relate first-hand experiences of flying the aircraft in question. Peter's previously published books include Lightning from the Cockpit published by Pen & Sword and the Airlife Combat Legend Series - Focke Wulfe FW-190, Spitfire Mks I-V and Spitfire Mks VI - F.24 and also Jet Jockeys and Spitfire Mk V in Action.

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