KIWI SPITFIRE ACE

Signed on the title page by

Flight Lieutenant Jack Rae DFC* 

Grub Street First edition 2001. 183 pages and well illustrated with photographs.

Fine condition hardback book in red covers and a Fine condition unclipped dustjacket. There is a discreet previous owner blind stamp to the bottom of the half title page.

Jack Rae was already an ace with 485 (NZ) Squadron in 1941 when he was sent to Malta at the height of the Luftwaffe’s onslaught against the island. He flew off USS Wasp for the 4 hour flight to Malta and joined 249 Squadron commanded by Laddie Lucas. Alongside aces such as Beurling, Hesslyn and Brennan he added to his score.  On returning to the UK he re-joined 485 squadron at Biggin Hill but was soon forced to crash land in France following an engine failure. He became a POW in Stalag Luft III at the time of ‘The Great Escape’ which he missed due to being in solitary confinement following a previous failed solo attempt. He survived the forced march across Germany and returned to New Zealand after the war.

An entertaining and exciting book enhanced by a neat signature.