RESURGAM

Signed on the title page by 87 Squadron pilots

Dennis David
Garry Nowell
Frank ‘Dimmy’ Joyce

Privately published circa 1980.  108 pages plus photos

Fine condition hardback book and dustjacket. A smart copy.  Laid in the book is a photo of Hurricane L1614 which has some notes written on the reverse by Dimmy Joyce indicating that it depicts Nowell’s aircraft which he crash landed on 16 May 1940.

The story of Garry Nowell, an RAF fighter pilot helped by remarkable eyesight but impeded by hearing loss.  Nowell was with 87 Squadron when war was declared and going to France, he frequently flew as wingman to Dennis ‘Hurricane’ David who went on to be a lifelong friend.

Shooting down 16 aircraft in the Battle of France, Nowell was shot down himself over Dunkirk and spent over 2 years in recovery and convalescence.  He successfully fought for a return to operations and became an exponent of high altitude interception. He went on to teach young Australian Spitfire pilots to fly and shoot nearly as well as himself.

This is a scarce ace biography, signed by the subject and squadron colleagues, with some fascinating stories about the frantic days of the Battle of France and tussles with the RAF hierarchy and bureaucracy.