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An Average Pilot: The Story of a World War II Swordfish Night Mission over the Strait of Sicily
On 11 November 1941, four Fairey Swordfish of the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm took off from Hal Far base in Malta to fly a mission over the Strait of Sicily. Their plans quickly went awry, turning their story into one of skill, determination and grit that is only now being fully told.
This book, inspired by a photo of an aircraft upside down on Cefalù beach in Sicily, led to years of meticulous research by the authors to uncover the full story of the men and aircraft of the mission.
Their research is brought to life through historical facts, technical details, recreated conversations, and a rich array of photographs and illustrations, many from the night of the mission itself.
Rated as an “average pilot”, it is clear that the man who piloted the plane into enemy territory as well as the crew of this mission were anything but ordinary. Like so many of their generation, these exceptional men still have much to teach us.
This book, inspired by a photo of an aircraft upside down on Cefalù beach in Sicily, led to years of meticulous research by the authors to uncover the full story of the men and aircraft of the mission.
Their research is brought to life through historical facts, technical details, recreated conversations, and a rich array of photographs and illustrations, many from the night of the mission itself.
Rated as an “average pilot”, it is clear that the man who piloted the plane into enemy territory as well as the crew of this mission were anything but ordinary. Like so many of their generation, these exceptional men still have much to teach us.
105 pages, Paperback
Published August 24, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 2, 2024
I loved this, and think it's such a brilliant way to introduce people to history - not just military history buffs (although that's certain to be its largest audience) but anyone who's ever come across an old bunker or rusting piece of equipment and wondered what the story was behind it. And I imagine that those who came of age in the second half of the 20th century in Europe would have had their own plane wrecks on their own beaches as Luca Lazzara had, to play on or near as children, and to puzzle over as adults. Good on him for doing the historical archaeology on this story!
The stories of the pilots are reconstructed from the historical record, and also as reconstructed conversations they might have had on their mission that night (researched and written by Bev Morris). The text is enhanced brilliantly with photographs and maps of the area. The whole book is short and focused, and emotionally affecting, and altogether just "enough" of everything to make me wish there were a whole series of books like this, explaining various leftover bits of a war that we are all still so fascinated by. Imagine teaching WWII to classes of secondary/high school students using books such as this one?!
The stories of the pilots are reconstructed from the historical record, and also as reconstructed conversations they might have had on their mission that night (researched and written by Bev Morris). The text is enhanced brilliantly with photographs and maps of the area. The whole book is short and focused, and emotionally affecting, and altogether just "enough" of everything to make me wish there were a whole series of books like this, explaining various leftover bits of a war that we are all still so fascinated by. Imagine teaching WWII to classes of secondary/high school students using books such as this one?!
December 29, 2024
An Average Pilot is the enthralling story of a little-known mission during WW2. When everything started to go wrong on that dark winter's night, it was only thanks to the skill and courage of these 'average pilots' and their navigators and radar operators that more tragedy was averted. The authors tell a vivid story about this disparate group of young men thrown together by war, sometimes pitted against each other, but all desperately trying to complete their mission and return to safety. We learn their back stories and hear their banter in the cockpit, and I was desperately rooting for them all to survive and get home to their families.
The narrative is enhanced by the photos and drawings, and I got a real sense of life in wartime Europe as I read.
I would recommend this to history buffs, WW2 buffs, and to everyone who likes to know what happens to all the characters after a story has finished ... and who doesn't!
The narrative is enhanced by the photos and drawings, and I got a real sense of life in wartime Europe as I read.
I would recommend this to history buffs, WW2 buffs, and to everyone who likes to know what happens to all the characters after a story has finished ... and who doesn't!
August 30, 2023
I recently bought this book as I was trying to find a different gift for my dad. 2 days after giving it to him, he's already 25% into the book and seems to be really enjoying it. I'm hearing all about it via him and despite my initial thoughts, I am finding it interesting! I was worried it might be too technical for my dad but actually it seems to be the right amount of detail to keep him interested without being too overwhelming, I may even end up reading a few pages myself. Well written and curious to find out more!
September 13, 2023
A riveting read from start to finish, utterly captivating. It brings alive the events of November 1941 in a way that makes you feel you were there. Weaving a gripping tale brimming with humanity, Bev and Luca tell a very personal story that transcends time. They put us in the cockpit of a rickety flying 'Stringbag', connecting nine young men who risked their lives on a dark's winter night with our modern world and a sun-kissed beach in Sicily.
Captain T M Stockings RN
[ex FAA pilot]
Captain T M Stockings RN
[ex FAA pilot]
February 9, 2025
It just so happened to lay my hands onto this book as I’ve always enjoyed reading war stories told by the very participants who’ve actually played a key part in the plot. The book is effortless to read, the story has a smooth flow and gives a sense of narration where war missions meet survival. Once I’ve started reading it I couldn’t let it go till reach to the end. A truly captivating read.
February 8, 2025
Great read - really appreciated the real examples of what the pilots would have seen. Made it easier to imagine their world for a moment.
February 8, 2025
A great read, really poignant, full of really interesting historical facts and photos that bring the story to life.
April 6, 2026
I bought this for my brother and what a brilliant gift - he loved it! A beautifully written and thought provoking story.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews