Wing Leader

by J.E. Johnson and Group Captain J. E. Johnson Johnson

Book Overview

The thrilling story of the top-scoring Allied fighter pilot of World War Two - 'Johnnie' Johnson. Joining the RAF Volunteer Reserve in 1939 as a sergeant pilot, he was to serve with Fighter Command... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345278933
• ISBN13: 9780345278937
• Release Date: September 1978
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 292 Pages
• Weight: 0.05 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Honest, humble and concise

Johnnie Johnson's autobiography is a superb document. Few "war stories" can rival its simple, straightfoward presentation and honesty. I take strong issue with other reviewers who view the book's writing style as lackluster--i believe that this is a ridiculous criticism given the fact that Mr. Johnson never claims to be a Tolstoy of literature, only a pilot who did his job and wrote about it afterwards. Where Mr. Johnson's words were sparse, my imagination had no trouble completing the pictures being sketched by his concise words. I would much prefer this kind of honest account of war to the false drama created by authors who are more interested in demonstrating their craft than relating a story. Thank you Mr. Johnson for your beautiful book and for the significant role you played in history during the 1940's.

Definitive book on WWII airfighting from the UK pespective

Johnnie Johnson flew fighters and fought throughout WWII, taking part in the Battle of Britain, the invasion of Normandy and the campaign in Europe.This is an easy-to-read book, written shortly after the war and the writing is fresh, undiluted by time.One of the classic books of WWII, it should be required-reading for anyone wishing to understand what it was like for a young pilot to fly, fight and survive for five long years.

First to Last Fighter Ace

Johnnie Johnson's Wing Leader give us a unique view of one of the few pilots who flew during almost the entire WW II. From his start as an inexperienced rookie to the end as one of the best leaders, Johnson takes us together on his tour of duty over Europe always flying his beloved Spitfires. This book offers a true account of R.A.F.'s organization, tactics and aircrafts along with the pilots Johnnie had the pleasure to meet. While reading, one can learn how British aerial tactics evolved during the war, and at the same time, how dear each man's life was regarded.

A ROLE MODEL

Johnson was the perfect RAF Wing LEader: inspiring to his pilots, skilfull, concise. The book has its flaws in regarding to writing style. It was written in 1956. It gives a great general portrait of RAF operations in Europe in WW II ( Johnson lived through it all ). He served in 616 Squadron, then led 610 Squadron then became Wing Leader of a Canadian wing. Sometimes he chose to not reveal the names of a lot of people he describes in the book. I don't know why he did it. In general, a great work for the afficionados.

Very informative

This book gives you a pretty good idea of what it was like to live and fight in the air in WWII. It also introduces you to a lot of historical caracters. Johnson was, after all a contemporary of such flyers as Douglas Bader, Sailor Malan and Guy Gibson. The shortcomings are probably that Johnson is to modest, and sort of "British". His presentation is laconic, rather than exiting. I mean, this was the top scoring allied ace of the war, with 38 kills. It was said of another fighter pilot that he wrote almost as well as he flew. Well, Johnson flew better that he writes. He would have benefited from an association with writers such as Larry Forrester, who did a really splendid book with Robert Stanford Tuck: "Fly for your life." Still, Johnsons book oozes with authority on the subject, and should definetly be read by afficionados of air combat.