The Last Enemy: The Centenary Collection

by Richard Hillary

In 1918, the RAF was established as the world's first independent air force. To mark the 100th anniversary of its creation, Penguin are publishing the Centenary Collection, a series of six classic books highlighting the skill, heroism and esprit de corps that have characterised the Royal Air Force throughout its first century.The Last Enemy is Richard Hillary's extraordinary account of his experience as a Spitfire pilot in the Second World War. Hillary was shot down during the Battle of Britain, leading to months in hospital as part of Archibald McIndoe's 'Guinea Pig Club', undergoing pioneering plastic surgery to rebuild his face and hands. The Last Enemy was first published in 1942, just seven months before Hilary's untimely death in a second crash and has gone on to be hailed as one of the classic texts of World War II.

192 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 17, 2018

About the author

Flight Lieutenant Richard Hope Hillary was an Anglo-Australian Royal Air Force fighter pilot during the Second World War. He wrote the book The Last Enemy about his experiences during the Battle of Britain.

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

A moving account of the early years of the war, made more poignant by knowing the author is killed less than a year after writing the book.

This not a tale of the Battle of Britain per se, and anyone looking for a detailed account of dog fights, would be best served elsewhere. This is an account of the men met by the author, who helped form and challenge his perceptions of life, and his approach to the war. It is a story of a young man maturing in outlook, as he is affected by the war and loss of his friends, in ways he doesn’t realise.

A tragic account, of the impact of war in those sent to fight it. Strongly recommended.