Fighter Pilot, by Paul Richey.

Orion Books, ISBN 978-0-3043-6339-1, re-issued 2012, £8.99.

This is the story of an RAF pilot who went to France in September 1939 to support the BEF. The book, first published in 1941, is based on his diary through the Phoney War and then the Blitzkreig, and ends with his return to England in June 1940. It is a mesmerising read.

Paul Richey was born in 1916. His father was a much-decorated soldier on the Western Front who ended up a Lieutenant-Colonel. Paul opted not to follow his father into the army, but instead joined the RAF in 1937. After training he was allocated to 1 Squadron, equipped with Hawker Fury biplanes, equipped with two machine guns and a top speed of 220mph. Fortunately, the squadron was re-equipped with Hawker Hurricanes in 1939. These, at least, meant they had a chance to compete with the Luftwaffe.

1 Squadron acquitted itself really well in France, due to its high standard of training and tight discipline, shooting down 155 German aircraft for the loss of only three pilots. Paul himself was shot down more than once and ended up in the American Hospital in Paris just as the BEF was being evacuated from Dunkirk, and was lucky to make it home.

The book describes, in a matter of fact way, the outstanding work of that small band of British pilots sent to France, facing incredible odds, whilst Churchill kept most of the pilots - and planes - at home to protect England.  Quite often one flight of Hurricanes would be called on to attack 30 or 40 German bombers who would be protected by an equal number of German fighters. It sheds light on an aspect of the Second World War in the air often missing from other accounts, which tend to focus on the Battle of Britain. That said, what comes across is the incredible bravery amidst chaos and incompetence in the first days of the war. It paints a picture of thoughtful and well-trained pilots working out new ways to attack the Luftwaffe, and to stay alive. It gives a riveting account of life in those desperate times.