BOMBER PILOT

Signed on the title page by

Leonard Cheshire
Warm wishes

Hutchinson First edition 1943.     136 pages plus 20 pages of photographs

Very Good condition hardback book in blue covers. Internally the book is clean, bright, square and with a solid binding. There is a colour photo of Cheshire tipped onto the half title page.   Any dustjacket for this book is very hard to find due to the very flimsy quality of the wartime paper. This one, though only in Fair condition with some loss to the edges and corners, is essentially complete and unclipped and is now protected with a Brodart cover which makes the book look presentable. 

Leonard Cheshire became a legend in his own lifetime, not only for his wartime exploits but also for his later humanitarian, peaceful and philanthropic activities.  This was his first book, published in early 1943, which told of his experiences as a young bomber pilot facing the everyday realities of war in the air, recounted with honesty and humour. 

The citation to the award of the second bar to Cheshire’s DSO reads:
This officer has commanded the squadron (617) with notable success. Within recent months he has participated in many attacks on targets of vital importance to the enemy, and the successes obtained are an excellent tribute to his outstanding tactical ability, great courage and iron determination. He is a splendid leader, whose personal example and untiring efforts have contributed in a large measure to the high standard of efficiency and fine fighting qualities of the squadron he commands.

A very decent undedicated signed copy of an important wartime book.