Sir Basil Edward Embry (1902–1977)

The author joined the RAF shortly after WWI and between the wars served in Iraq and India. He was called back to Britain shortly before WWII, and was involved in early action over Norway and 1940 France flying Blenheims where he was shot down, captured, escaped, North Africa, low level strikes over Europe. Post-war commanded Fighter Command and held high rank in NATO.
Shot down during the German blitzkreig in 1940 he became the first RAF POW to escape from the Germans and return to duty in England. Command of a night fighter wing in the Battle of Britian period followed, then a senior appointment with the Desert Air Force, Command of Number Two Bomber Group which made the pin-piont low-level attacks on Gestapo HQ in Copenhagen and Amiens Prison in France. Post-War he became C-in-C of Fighter Command and when he retired in 1955, with the rank of Air Chief Marshal, was C-in-C Allied Air Forces Central Europe, a NATO appointment. After retirement he settled in New Zealand.His is an action-packed story, covering many of the most historic and memorable events for the RAF.… (mehr)