TIGER SQUADRON

Bookplate inscribed, signed and dated by

Wing Commander Ira ‘Taffy’ Jones DSO MC DFC* MM  

‘This is no ‘push-button’ story
but that of all British Air Fighters
in two world wars whose motto was
“shoot the bastard down”
Hurrah!!
Ira Jones
6-6-57′

WH Allen First edition, first printing 1954.  295 pages plus lots of photographs including reproductions of 45 Cuthbert Orde portraits.

Very Good condition hardback book and Very Good condition unclipped dustjacket in a Brodart cover. A tidy example of this book. The bookplate comes from a page taken from a damaged book and mounted on the half title page.

Ira Jones’ ‘Tiger Squadron’ is the story of 74 Squadron, RAF, effectively a history of aerial combat in both World Wars. This first-hand account details Taffy’s life as a fighter pilot with the RFC during World War I. He then served with the RAF during the inter-war years and finally during Dunkirk and the Battle of Britain. Ira Jones, a 40-victory ace in WWI, also trained pilots during WWII and flew a few operational Spitfire sorties.

James Ira Thomas “Taffy” Jones DSO MC DFC* MM (1896–1960) was born near St. Clears, Carmarthenshire. In 1913, Jones enlisted in the Territorial Army. He soon transferred to the newly established Royal Flying Corps, serving as an air mechanic on ground duties. He earned the Military Medal before volunteering for flying duties as an Observer. Jones commenced pilot training in August 1917 after being commissioned. After completing his training, he joined 74 Squadron.

During his service with 74 Squadron, Jones won several awards and decorations; the Military Cross, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, and the Distinguished Service Order. Despite his reputation for crashing aircraft when landing, Jones recorded 37 victories in just 3 months while flying the Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 during 1918. After the Armistice, he became Commanding Officer of 74 Squadron until it was disbanded in 1919.

After retiring in 1936, Jones was recommissioned after the outbreak of the Second World War. He flew briefly during the Battle of Britain. In July 1940, acting Wing Commander Jones was OC No. 7 Bombing and Gunnery School, RAF Porthcawl. One of his most famed actions occurred here. While flying an unarmed Hawker Henley near Swansea, he attacked a Junkers Ju 88 bomber with a Very pistol, a type of flare gun. His actions were enough to fight off the Junkers, which returned to its base. After retiring again at the end of the War, Jones lived in Wales. He wrote three books on the RFC and RAF. He died in 1960 due to complications after a fall at his home in Wales.

‘Tiger Squadron’ is mixture of autobiography and a first hand account of one of the RAF’s most famous fighter squadrons.  Complete with a handwritten and signed typically direct statement from one of the top ranking RFC aces of WW1, this is a great book for any aviation library.