This is not a tale of fighter aces shouting "Tally-Ho" and shooting down
every plane in sight. It is the history of a group of men who were
bonded by war and their love of flying. 451 and 453 (RAAF) Squadrons
were both formed in 1941 and would both fly and fight until the end of
the Second World War. While 451 was sent to North Africa and equipped
with Hurricanes, 453 was deployed to Singapore, flying Brewster Buffalos
against the Japanese.
Later they would both join the war in Europe, flying sorties together
against V2 sites and dive-bombing targets ahead of the Allied advance.
There are moments of excitement, pain, suffering, fear, boredom and
laughter. Many families of the pilots involved do not even know the full
story of the squadron. This book is not just the history according to
the official record, but is the history informed by all available
sources.
Author Adam Lunney's first book, Ready to Strike: The Spitfires and
Australians of 453 (RAAF) Squadron over Normandy was highly commended by
the Chief of Air Force (RAAF) in the 2018 RAAF Heritage Awards.