First Light: Original Edition (Penguin World War II Collection)

Product Information

Writing with wit, compassion, and a great deal of technical expertise, Wellum relives his grueling months of flight training, during which two of his classmates crashed and died. He describes a hilarious scene during his first day in the prestigious 92nd Squadron when his commader discovered that Wellum had not only never flown a Spitfire, he'd never even seen one."

After the war, Wellum remained in the RAF until 1961. Among his appointments he was with the Second Tactical Air Force in Germany, converted to jets – flying Gloster Meteors, de Havilland Vampires and English Electric Canberra bombers on reconnaissance sorties – served at RAF Gaydon, and finally, in East Anglia, with a Thor intermediate-range ballistic missile unit. Why I recommend this audiobook: One of my instructors once told me “Flying is not inherently dangerous, but it’s very unforgiving”. We learn from those that have gone before and the mistakes that have been made. The Killing Zone is essential listening for all pilots – from new trainees up to the most experienced private pilots. Meantime, our real Spit took off with the pilot delivering Boy Wellum's point of view (by way of a specially designed camera mounting on his flying helmet).

I read this book many years ago as a teenager and it was one of those fascinating stories that inspired me to follow my dream of becoming a pilot. (Sep 2021: I’m actually listening to this audiobook again at the moment and really enjoying it). That summer Wellum was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. By September his time with 92 Squadron had come to an end, and he was tired. He was posted to an operational training unit and did not return to squadron service until February 1942, when he became a flight commander with 65 Squadron, at Great Sampford in Essex. As Wellum starts to fly on operations there is a definite change in the tone of his writing. His recollections of time on the ground with his fellow pilots are still lighthearted and amusing, but this is in stark contrast to time spent in the air fighting over Southern England and later over Northern France. His descriptions of aerial combat are vivid and gripping, written with an immediacy that is terrifying. Tragedy strikes again and again as a steady stream of his friends are killed and badly wounded, and the pressure on these pilots to keep flying is relentless. No wonder that after 2 years of operational flying he is completely worn out, and he and the reader can finally pause for breath. He was then posted directly in May 1940 to 92 Squadron, flying Spitfires. He saw extensive action during the Battle of Britain. His first Commanding Officer was Roger Bushell, (later immortalised in 'The Great Escape'), and his close colleagues included Brian Kingcome. Wellum's first commanding officer was Roger Bushell, (later immortalised in The Great Escape). [6] Bushell was shot down and captured almost immediately after Wellum's arrival, and was later executed by the Gestapo in the aftermath of the "Great Escape". [4]

There have been countless books about the Battle of Britain. But the combination of immediacy - Geoffrey Wellum had jotted down notes in an exercise book at the time - and distance - another 35 years would pass before he expanded his notes into a narrative - gives this account extraordinary depth and resonance . . . First Light will rank among the finest of Second World War memoirs Tony Gould, Independent In the summer of 1941 Wellum participated in more than 50 "sweeps" over occupied France (also known as Circus offensives) flying escort for Blenheim and Stirling bomber formations, taking the war to the enemy. He claimed a Bf 109 shot down on 9 July 1941 over France, [9] and in August 1941, Wellum was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. [3] [10]

Credits

Wellum left the Royal Air Force in 1961, [and went to work] with a firm of commodity brokers in the City of London, set up his own business, and then retired to Mullion, Cornwall." For me, creating the tension on the ground was just as important as in the air. I love the waiting scene in dispersal before Geoff's first combat - the tinkling of teaspoons in cups, the rustle of a magazine, Kingcome chewing on his match... and then the sudden shrill ringing of the phone - scramble! Then in May 2018 it happened. I was due to fly to Duxford on the Friday before the May airshow to renew my DA, then exhibit for the weekend with the Typhoon project. The flight didn’t happen so I drove up instead, meaning I was there for dinner that night and went to the local pub where many owners and operators were known to hang out, especially on an airshow weekend. I walked into the pub on my own, saw John Romain, James and Anna at a table round the corner, waved, went to the bar and thought nothing more of it. Then, he came over and apologised for not recognising me in the light and invited me to sit with them for a beer as they were leaving soon. A little small talk, then, out of the blue he says “How many hours do you have on the Harvard, Sam?”