The Big Show, by Pierre Clostermann D.F.C., ISBN 0-553-12658-X, Published by Ballentine Books Inc.
This book details the day-to-day life of the author, a Frenchman, serving in the RAF during WWII. Clostermann kept notes in journals during the war and wrote the book using those journals as a guide. Clostermann provides information about the planes he flew, those he flew against and details actions that range from ground-level flak suppression and counter-air while escorting ground attack aircraft, to bomber escort, to high altitude engagements, jet interception missions, and rat-catching over enemy airfields.
The book is very engaging and I found it hard to put down once I started reading it.
There is enough detail (including cloud conditions) in the book for those who want to create individual wargame scenarios for solo or multi-player games. One engagement that caught my eye included four B-17s "escorting" a crippled B-24 on their way home, enemy FW-190s are headed for the bombers, Clostermann and his wingmen have Spifire Mk IXs.
At different points in the book the aircraft were involved in engagements:
Allied Aircraft: Clostermann – Spitfire Mk VD, Spirfire Mk VI, Spitfire Mk IX, and Tempest Mk V. Others involved Typhoons, Hurricanes, B-17s, B-24s, B-25s, B-26s, P-51s, P-38s, and P-47s.
Axis Aircraft: FW-190As, FW-190Ds, Ta-152s, Me-109Gs, Me-262s, Ar-234s, He-162s, and V-1 sites.
I enjoyed the book and recommend it. It's still available from various websites.
Kevin
ponders nirvana.