NIGHT FIGHTER

‘Night Fighter’ signed and dated on the half title page by

 John Cunningham
CF Rawnsley
3rd May 1957

Inscribed by Jimmy Rawnsley:
For “that Jonesey Man”
with best wishes and many thanks
for happy memories of Malling,
from ‘Jimmy’

NB ‘The Jonesey Man” is  mentioned on page 254 and  refers to Flying Officer WD ‘Bill’ Jones DFC who was navigator to the distinguished night fighter ace Sqn Ldr WH ‘Bill’ Maguire DFC, one of the 85 Squadron flight commanders at West Malling.

Collins First edition, first impression 1957. 382 pages and well illustrated with photographs.

Very Good condition hardback book in black covers with a Near Fine condition unclipped dustjacket.  The book shows a few scattered marks but remains clean with no foxing. It is securely bound and square.  The text block has a light ripple which is a characteristic feature of the first edition of this book. Rawnsley has made a correction on page 183 which he has initialled CR.

Group Captain John ‘Cats-Eyes’ Cunningham DSO** OBE DFC*
joined 604 Squadron RAuxAF in 1935 at just 18. After three years at de Havilland’s Technical School, he became a junior test pilot in 1938. When war broke out, he soon rose to Flight Commander in 604 Squadron. By 1941 he commanded the unit, now focused on night fighting. Later, he led 85 Squadron on night‑intruder work and served as Group Captain Night Ops at 11 Group. After the war, he returned to de Havilland to head the flight‑test department, becoming one of Britain’s most famous test pilots.

Squadron Leader CF ‘Jimmy’ Rawnsley DSO DFC DFM*
served first as air‑gunner and then as navigator and radar operator to Cunningham, the RAF’s leading night‑fighter pilot. They flew together from 1937 to 1945, and their partnership delivered 17 victories. When Cunningham took command, Rawnsley became Navigator Leader of the Squadron

In 1943 Rawnsley was awarded the DSO and the citation read: ‘As observer, Flight Lieutenant Rawnsley has participated in more than 200 sorties and his brilliant work is beyond praise. He has assisted in the destruction of 17 enemy aircraft, 16 of them at night. In addition to his work in the Air, Flight Lieutenant Rawnsley has devoted much service towards the training of other members of aircraft and his efforts have been attended with excellent results. Flight Lieutenant Rawnsley has rendered invaluable service’. Jimmy Rawnsley died in 1965 making his a rare Battle of Britain signature.

Johnnie Johnson reviewed the book and wrote: ‘A great story: not only of night fighting but also of the hazards of seeking and stalking in the darkened skies. So entirely different from the quick thrust and parry of our own daylight duels against the Luftwaffe.’

‘Night Fighter‘ remains the classic account of Britain’s night war neatly signed by both principal subjects of the book and presented to a colleague. A rare and highly desirable addition to any Battle of Britain or aviation library.