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THE SPITFIRE SMITHS: A Unique Story of Brothers in Arms
by Rod Smith Price: $45.00ISBN: 1906502110 ISBN-13: 9781906502119 Edition: illustrated edition Data published: 2008 Publisher: Grub Street Publishing All Customer Reviews Read more |
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Description of the Book: THE SPITFIRE SMITHS: A Unique Story of Brothers in Arms
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In late 2001 Rod Smith died tragically at his own hand, leaving behind a part-written autobiography and many notes. At the request of his family, his friend, the historian Christopher Shores, took on the task of seeking to complete the story as nearly as possible to how he believed Rod had wished it to be. Rod and his brother Jerry both became Spitfire pilots during World War II, leaving their home in Canada only to find themselves - purely by chance - serving together in the defense of Malta during 1942. Jerry had already gained some fame as the first pilot ever to land a Spitfire on an aircraft carrier (due to a faulty fuel feed after being launched to fly to the beleaguered island). Both showed immediate promise as fighter pilots, but by the end of that year Jerry was dead - last seen chasing a German bomber out to sea - while Rod had become an 'ace' and would receive the D.F.C. Two years later, serving as a squadron commander in Western Europe, he claimed six Messerschmitts down within a single week, and was involved in the shooting down of the first German jet aircraft to fall to British Commonwealth fighters. He ended the war as one of Canada's highest scoring aces, with more than 13 victories to his credit. Qualifying after the war both as an aeronautical engineer and as a barrister, he brought a keen and analytical intellect to a passionate interest in aviation and aerial combat, writing many letters and articles of great depth and insight. His untimely death was a great loss not only to his family and friends, but to the wider world of aviation history as well. This book, containing many diary entries from each of the brothers, is a testament to them. REVIEWS "...the most comprehensive treatment of the subject ever penned...one of a kind testament to the multi-faceted Rod Smith and to biographer Chris Shores." Aviation History, November 2009
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Details of the Book: THE SPITFIRE SMITHS: A Unique Story of Brothers in ArmsAuthor: Rod Smith Number Of Pages: 224 Binding: Hardcover ISBN-10: 0764307215 ISBN-13: 9781906502119 Language: English Amazon Sales Rank: 595367 Publication Date: 2008 Publisher: Grub Street Publishing Package Dimensions: 0.40 x 5.50 x 1.20 inches |
Related KeywordsSecond World War, 1939-1945 Fighter pilots - Canada Smith, Jerrold Alpine Smith, R. I. A World War, 1939-1945 - Aerial operations, British World War, 1939-1945 - Malta Biography / Autobiography History - Military / War Biography & Autobiography / Military HISTORY / Military / Canada History / Military / World War II Military Military - Aviation Military - World War II Air forces & warfare General & world history Second World War World history: Second World War History Aerial operations, British Biography Canada Fighter pilots Spitfire (Fighter planes) World War, 1939-1945 Autobiography: Historical, Political & Military |
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