Above the Battle: An Air Observation Post Pilot at War

A rare memoir of serving as an AOP pilot—one of the most daring and dangerous jobs in World War II. Includes maps and photos.

In April 1943, a young officer arrived at Penshurst to join C Flight, 653 Squadron. He was no ordinary pilot, and this was no ordinary RAF outfit. Lyell Munro was a soldier and 653 was an Air Observation Post Squadron whose pilots were Royal Artillery and whose ground crew were RAF.

AOP pilots were expert gunners, skilled flyers, and incurable rule breakers. Fly...