Nine Lives. [Signed].

Canterbury: Wingham Press, 1991. Presentation plate signed by the Author inside of upper cover. Octavo, blue boards (hardcover), gilt lettering, 262 pp. Very Good in a Fine, mylar protected dust jacket. From dust jacket: Undoubtedly one of the finest personal records of the Battle of Britain, this is the autobiography of New Zealand’s famous pilot in the R.A.F. from the Munich crisis until the invasion of France in 1944. His nine lives are the accounts of his fantastic luck in coming out alive from seemingly impossible situations. Deere defends the R.A.F. from the Munich crisi until the invasion of France in 1944. His nine lives are the accounts of his fantastic luck in coming out alive from seemingly impossible situations. Deere defends the R.A.F. against the charge that it did not fully support the Army at Dunkirk. He experienced the drama of the early days of the Battle of Britain while operating with Spitfire squadrons based at Hornchurch and Manston, and his story tells of the successes and frustrations during those exhausting weeks. Victory was achieved by a narrow margin: how narrow, very few people realise. The author treats his continuous action as a fighter pilot and formation leader with modesty -- his official score was destroyed 22, probables 10, damaged 18 -- and his book may well be described as a documentary tribute to fellow members of The Few as well as a valuable contribution of distinction to the annals of the then young Fighter Command in general.