Wing Leader [Paperback]

J. E. Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1990

Johnnie Johnson joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in 1939 as a week-end flier, and finished the war as the top-scoring Allied fighter pilot with 38 confirmed victories.

WING LEADER is his account of the Battle of Britain, of the bitter fighting over Dieppe, and of the final battle across the skies of France and over the Rhine when, as a group captain, he commanded a British wing of the latest and most powerful Spitfires.

"WING LEADER is a magnificent story of fighter pilots--so graphic in its description of aerial combat, so sympathetic in its portraits of fighting men that it will rank with the finest books which have come out of the war." (B-O-T Editorial Review Board)

--This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

8 1.5-hour cassettes --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Ballantine Books (Mm) (September 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345304721
• ISBN-13: 978-0345304728
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,060,020 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Honest, humble and concise, April 2, 2002

By 

"pinwwwheel" (Bellingham, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wing Leader (Hardcover)

Johnnie Johnson's autobiography is a superb document. Few "war stories" can rival its simple, straightfoward presentation and honesty. I take strong issue with other reviewers who view the book's writing style as lackluster--i believe that this is a ridiculous criticism given the fact that Mr. Johnson never claims to be a Tolstoy of literature, only a pilot who did his job and wrote about it afterwards. Where Mr. Johnson's words were sparse, my imagination had no trouble completing the pictures being sketched by his concise words. I would much prefer this kind of honest account of war to the false drama created by authors who are more interested in demonstrating their craft than relating a story. Thank you Mr. Johnson for your beautiful book and for the significant role you played in history during the 1940's.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitive book on WWII airfighting from the UK pespective, September 26, 2001

By 

Carl R. Mousley (South Africa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wing Leader (Hardcover)

Johnnie Johnson flew fighters and fought throughout WWII, taking part in the Battle of Britain, the invasion of Normandy and the campaign in Europe.

This is an easy-to-read book, written shortly after the war and the writing is fresh, undiluted by time.

One of the classic books of WWII, it should be required-reading for anyone wishing to understand what it was like for a young pilot to fly, fight and survive for five long years.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars First to Last Fighter Ace, May 14, 2001

By 

Ricardo Giorgi (Santos, SP Brazil) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wing Leader (Hardcover)

Johnnie Johnson's Wing Leader give us a unique view of one of the few pilots who flew during almost the entire WW II. From his start as an inexperienced rookie to the end as one of the best leaders, Johnson takes us together on his tour of duty over Europe always flying his beloved Spitfires. This book offers a true account of R.A.F.'s organization, tactics and aircrafts along with the pilots Johnnie had the pleasure to meet. While reading, one can learn how British aerial tactics evolved during the war, and at the same time, how dear each man's life was regarded.