This is the classic 1959 dated first edition autobiography of Alan Deere, New Zealand’s most famous RAF pilot who saw action from the Munich Crisis to the invasion of France in 1944. The book we would describe as being in excellent condition for its age, with very little browning and spotting with slight bumping to corners. The spine does not lean and the whole dustjacket is bright and clean overall with some slight rubbing/grubbiness. We haven’t seen many copies of this 65 yr old book in much better condition. The book has been significantly enhanced with an original pencil drawing of Al Deere by Steve Teasdale on the first flyleaf. Underneath the portrait is the professionally mounted genuine signature of Al Deere. This all makes a highly collectable copy of one of the first classic accounts to come out of the Battle of Britain.
Al Deere experienced the drama of the early days of the Battle of Britain while serving with Spitfire squadrons based at Hornchurch and Manston, and his compelling story tells of the successes and frustrations of those critical weeks.
Deere’s nine lives are the accounts of his fantastic luck in escaping from seemingly impossible situations. During the Battle of Britain he parachuted from stricken aircraft on three occasions and once was blown up by a bomb whilst taking off from Hornchurch during an attack on the airfield.
In March 1943 Deere was appointed Wing Commander of the famous Biggin Hill Wing and by the end of the war, his distinguished ‘score’ was destroyed twenty-two, probables ten and damaged eighteen