SMOKE TRAILS in the SKY

Personal letterhead laid in signed by

 Squadron Leader Tony Bartley DFC

‘With best wishes
Anthony Bartley
Nov 11th 1985′

William Kimber First edition 1984.   208 pages and well illustrated with photos

Fine condition hardback book and Fine condition unclipped dustjacket. Clean bright and tight. An excellent copy of this book which feels unread. The signed headed paper measures 14 x 13 cm which fits nicely inside the book. 

Tony Bartley epitomised the young, dashing RAF fighter pilot of the Battle of Britain. He learned to fly in 1938 and joined the RAF the following year first being posted to 92 Squadron, flying Spitfires. He was credited with 8 victories during the Dunkirk evacuation and the Battle of Britain before joining 74 Squadron as a flight commander in March 1941. 

Following a rest period as a flying instructor and as a production test pilot at Vickers Supermarine, he returned to operations in February 1942. He was a flight commander with 65 Squadron and then in May he was appointed the Squadron’s CO. The following August he was appointed to command 111 Squadron in North Africa. He returned to the UK in January 1943 after the end of his tour and flew with the Americans over the D-Day landings.  After the war he married the famous actress Deborah Kerr.

Another fascinating insight into the fabulous 92 Squadron through the eyes of one of its most extrovert characters which captures the atmosphere of the times.