Air Classics: Fighting the Axis

Action over the Western Desert

Messerschmitt Roulette by Wing Commander Geoffrey Morley-Mower (Airlife, $16.95) provides a stunning view of the war in the Western Desert across the borders of Egypt and Libya during 1941-1942 at a time when the British Empire stood alone against the Axis. It is the history of No. 451 Squadron, Royal Air Force, as seen through the eyes of a Royal Air Force pilot. Equipped with aging Mk. I Hurricanes, No. 451 was assigned to perform armed reconnaissance and photo missions, frequently at low altitude. They were constantly at a disadvantage to faster, higher flying German and Italian fighters, and many Hurricanes and pilots were lost during these dangerous missions.

The author, an English officer, had to battle not only enemy flak and fighters but the early scorn of his Australian comrades. The junior pilots of the squadron, mostly Aussies, were disgusted with the recon assignment and peeved that senior officers were RAF and not Australian. But the desperate war situation flung these unhappy companions into the same unit, and the story of their months in combat is described in all its grimness, humor, and terror.