This second of three volumes traces the history of 72 Fighter Squadron, one of the premier squadrons in the Royal Air Force. The aircraft flown, operational personnel and missions flown are fully described with first-hand accounts from pilots and both air and ground crew. Having been operational in the European theatre during the early years of World War Two, the squadron moved to North Africa in support of the Tunisian campaign and were re-equipped with the updated Spitfire IX in 1942. They then assisted the Allied 8th Army as it advanced through Italy and France, being based in Malta and Sicily prior to the invasions. When the Germans surrendered they were sent to Austria. It was here that the Squadron disbanded in December 1946. AUTHOR Tom Docherty first considered writing this squadron history in its entirety when he joined the squadron in 1993 and became the deputy historian. At that time the squadron was in the early stages of forming an association for both ex-air and ground crew and those currently serving. Since then Tom has been active as membership secretary, a post he still fills. Tom has previously published Dinghy Drop, Pen DSword, and lives in Morayshire. SELLING POINTS * North Africa in support of the Tunisian campaign * Re-equipped with the Spitfire IX * Assisted the 8th Army as it advanced through Italy and France ILLUSTRATIONS 141 mono illustrations *
