Fighter Pilot: The Life of Battle of Britain Ace Bob Doe

by Helen Doe

Overview

‘I saw a mass of ME 109s and went up to attack. I looked behind and found three on each side diving to attack me.’ Bob Doe, Combat Report 16 August 1940In June 1940, at the age of twenty, Bob Doe believed himself to be the worst pilot in his squadron. Just three months later he was a highly decorated hero of the Battle of Britain. This is the story of the pilot who, in his own estimation, was not promising material for a fighter pilot. He left school at fourteen and had none of the qualifications or background of his fellow officers, but he found his place in the Battle of Britain, shooting down fourteen enemy aircraft and sharing in two others. He became the third-highest-scoring pilot of the Battle, and was unusual in achieving these victories in both Spitfires and Hurricanes.This biography, written by his daughter, a noted professional historian, tells the story of Bob’s remarkable career, including his time in Burma leading an Indian Air Force squadron against the Japanese. He was a modest man who spoke for many veterans when he asked that they should not be considered as heroes but remembered for what they did. This book celebrates Bob’s achievements and also those of the men who fought alongside him.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781445660127
Publisher:	Amberley Publishing
Publication date:	07/15/2016
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	4.90(w) x 7.70(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Helen Doe is a maritime historian who has published extensively on nineteenth-century sail and steam, including co-editing and contributing to the award-winning Maritime History of Cornwall. Her previous book was The First Atlantic Liner: Brunel’s Great Western Steamship. Her interests are in the people connected with vessels, whether on land or at sea. She has a PhD from the University of Exeter, where she has been a lecturer for some years. She is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, Vice Chairman of the British Commission for Maritime History, a member of the UK Government’s Council of Experts for National Historic Ships and trustee of the SS Great Britain Trust.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments 6

Abbreviations 9

1 Early Years and Early Influences 11

2 Preparation for Battle 25

3 The Battle Begins and Leadership Lessons 46

4 In the Heat of the Battle and the Move to Middle Wallop 65

5 The Battle Continues with a New Squadron and a New Aircraft 89

6 A New Face and a New Reality 104

7 India and Squadron Leadership 129

8 The Battle over the Burmese Jungle 154

9 Post-War RAF and 25th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain 177

Appendix I Pilot Colleagues in 234 Squadron 200

Appendix II List of Battle of Britain Escort at 25th Anniversary of the Battle 201

Appendix III List of Aircraft Flown by Bob Doe from a List in His Logbook 205

Notes 206

Select Bibliography 236

List of Illustrations 244

Index 247

Editorial Reviews

Bob Doe was a British WWII pilot who flew both Spitfires and Hurricanes and was decorated for his role in the Battle of Britain. In this book, his daughter Helen Doe describes his early years, his military career, and his bonds with his colleagues, and gives details on various battles in which Doe was involved. Appendices offer lists of pilots and list of aircraft.

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