Book description
A unique and enthralling anthology compiled by WWII flying ace, Laddie
Lucas, Voices in the Air tells the story of the air battles of the
Second World War in the voices of those who took part. Drawn largely on
the writings of the combatants themselves from all sides of the
conflict, this book offers a vivid and highly individual account of the
great aerial campaigns of WWII. From a thrilling account of the first
sustained dogfight between Spitfire and Messerschmitt in 1940, to an
eighteen-year-old Japanese suicide pilot's last letter home and the
Luftwaffe leaders' analysis of 'what went wrong' after the Battle of
Britain, the book dramatically deals with every aspect of the war. Full
of stories of astonishing escapades, incredible bravery, dogged
persistence and moving feats of arms, Voices in the Air honours both the
sung and the unsung heroes of the war. After training as a journalist,
Laddie Lucas became a distinguished wartime leader in the Royal Air
Force, commanding the top-scoring fighter squadron in the Battle of
Malta in 1942. He was one of Britain's best-known amateur golfers,
leading his country against the US, and as a Conservative MP, he
represented Brentford and Chiswick for ten years in the 1950s, serving
under Churchill, Eden and Macmillan. In 1976, Laddie Lucas retired and
turned to writing. He had a number of books published, including the
hugely successful biography of Sir Douglas Bader. Laddie passed away in
1998.
