04/09/2026
BOOK REVIEW - "Fighter" by Len Deighton
Len Deighton is an English author who passed away recently at a good age. I read his work many moons ago. So when I saw his obituary I was looking at his books in FMIL and found that the spy novels I knew he wrote were just part of it. I came across his book Fighter thru our displayed books and read it with enjoyment.
Deighton was at one point in the RAF himself and I grew up with men who served in RAF in the Second World War - 1939 to 1945. The air war over, mostly, southern England in late summer of 1940 is referred to as The Battle of Britain. Churchill famously said "Never is so much owed by so many to so few". Deighton covers the politicians and the engineers as well as the development of planes prior to 1939. He gives a good overview of the history of powered flight. The later part of 1930s saw advances especially in the advances in single seat fighter planes; the Spitfire in UK and Messerschmitt 109 in Germany. The armaments that were used are written of in detail; types of guns, am******on and fitting of same in aircraft. Maintenance and refuelling are covered. Details of the fighting are good with 4 phases identified. My Mum used to watch the 'dog fights' overhead from roof of shed in family garden. Strategies and tactics of both German and English side is covered. Deighton seeks to balance input to avoid Anglocentric coverage. Spend time explaining German fighters and the politicians and politics behind tactics and plane developments.
Technological developments were important then as today. RADAR and air to air communications played a part in the air combat. The English on the defensive had system of RADAR linked to command centres which allowed resistance to the bombing which Germans were bestowing upon the UK. Many of the operatives in the control rooms were young women. This early warning of approaching German aircraft allowed timely and targeted defence. Early attacks were aimed at strategic targets but soon devolved into attacks on London docks which resulted in civilian casualties. This turned later into wholesale carpet bombing of urban areas by both sides.
The pilots of the RAF came from not just he British but also the Commonwealth and other allies. Of particular note were the Polish flyers. Other aces were Czech whilst the German side had multiple aces who won Iron Crosses with Embellishments when they downed more than 40 opponents. Australians featured in Battle with 14 killed. Over 1000 allied pilots fought with the RAF, sadly many perished. Short training left many going into combat ill prepared, especially against experienced opponents
Apart from Deighton's work detailed above were other non fiction war histories as well as Cookbooks! and his fictional works. Of special note in later regard was The Ipcress File which was made into a film and even today is on TV. from time to time. Of special note in this spy story, apart from psychological torture featured, was that the protagonist was nameless. The FMI Library has 23 of Deighton books available for loan I found.
Come on in and chat - Review by Neil
