This is a story written by a young man who trained as a pilot, and then flew with the Royal Flying Corps in France during the First World War, eventually to become an ace. It is one of survival against the odds at a time when the conduct of air operations depended so much on individual skills, innovation, courage – and luck. Hugh White flew F.E.2D Scout aircraft as a reconnaissance patrol pilot and later in the war was promoted to squadron leader of squadrons flying the S.E.5a which was Britain’s best fighter aircraft at the time. During the two years of flying, he experienced and survived a series of escapades including a dramatic mid-air collision with the enemy. Told by Hugh in his own words, he gives a unique insight into war in the air. With the break-up of his squadron and being reduced to a substantive rank – simply because of his young age, Hugh’s writing ends in 1919. From this point, the story is continued by his younger son Christopher. He describes Hugh’s life and RAF career from flying in India during the 1920s through the Second World War until his retirement as an air vice-marshal in 1955. This book includes a foreword by Sir Frederick Sowrey (Hugh’s nephew) which puts Hugh White’s early wartime service into context. It is a timely reminder, following the centenary of the end of the First World War, of the difficulties that young pilots faced at the time. A must-read for those interested in wartime exploits.

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contents
• Foreword – Air Marshal Sir Frederick Sowrey, KCB, CBE, AFC
• Preface and Acknowledgements
• Part 1: Flying Experiences in World War I
  • 1. In the Beginning
  • 2. Learning to Fly
  • 3. On Active Service
  • 4. Instructing Flying Training
  • 5. Second Period of Active Service
  • 6. Post-War Squadron Commander in France and Occupied Germany
• Part 2: The Follow-On Years 1920 – 1983
  • 7. Reflections
  • 8. The Royal Air Force – A New Beginning
  • 9. The Early 1920s
  • 10. India 1924-1928
  • 11. The 1930s and Life as a Technical Officer
  • 12. Back to Flying – RAF Filton and No. 501 (City of Bristol) Squadron
  • 13. Singapore 1936-1939
  • 14. Back in Great Britain 1939 – the Second World War
  • 15. Post-War Germany – the British Air Forces of Occupation
  • 16. The Early 1950s – Senior Appointments in RAF Maintenance Command
  • 17. A Long Retirement
• Appendices
  • A. Letter of Recommendation – May 1918
  • B. Royal Air Force War Communiqué 1918
  • C. RAF operational message dated 5th May 1918
  • D. Royal Flying Corps (Military Wing): Rules for Flying (Aeroplanes and Airships)
  • E. Copy of letter to a magazine about the R.E.7 Reconnaissance Experimental Aircraft
  • F. Lieutenant Herbert Beresford White
  • G. Colonel Frederick Minchin
  • H. No. 20 Squadron casualties (4th July 1916 – 3rd June 1917)
  • I. Hugh Granville White Q&A
• Endnotes
• Bibliography