During the six years of the Second World War, Canadian fighter pilots
flew and fought with great distinction in every theatre of war to which
Commonwealth fighter forces were deployed. All the Fine Young Eagles
captures the spirit and magnitude of the Canadian contribution, which
began in Europe's Low Countries in 1940 and ended among the Japanese
Home Islands in 1945. In keeping with the country's developing autonomy,
Canadians served in both RAF and RCAF units, fighting with great courage
in their Spitfires, Hurricanes, Kittyhawks and Typhoons.
All the Fine Young Eagles collects the wartime diaries and postwar
reminiscences from a great variety of the Canadian fighter pilots who
served in World War II. Their vivid first-hand accounts take the reader
into the cockpit to experience dogfights, tactical manoeuvres, forced
landings and injuries, as well as the often tedious periods between
engagements. They also illuminate the day-to-day living conditions on
base and include humorous accounts of the vivid personalities and
lighter moments of wartime.
To provide context for their stories, Bashow's authoritative voice
offers both a large-scale historical framework and detailed information
about tactics, equipment and people, including such famous flying aces
as Buzz Beurling and Moose Fumerton.
This updated second edition contains a substantial amount of new
material that veterans have contributed since the publication of the
first edition.
