Spitfire: A Very British Love Story

by John Nichol

Suddenly, Bader’s voice came on the radio, breaking the silence they strictly followed. He radioed base asking them to locate a friend he wanted to play squash with on his return. Dundas grinned at Bader’s terse order. ‘That conversation had a decidedly calming effect on my nerves and the butterflies were somewhat subdued. It was extraordinary enough that a man with tin legs should have been thinking about squash in any circumstances. That he should be doing so while leading three squadrons of Hurricanes and two of Spitfires into battle against the Luftwaffe was even more extraordinary. Here, quite clearly, was a man made in the mould of Francis Drake – a man to be followed, a man who would win.’