Stapme: The Biography of Squadron Leader Basil Gerald Stapleton DFC, Dutch Flying Cross
Sep 2008 · Casemate Publishers
Ebook
192
Pages
family_home
Eligible
info
reportRatings and reviews aren’t verified Learn More
About this ebook
This biography of the WWII flying ace recounts his legendary career in the RAF, his time as a POW and his postwar life as a beloved public figure.
One of the most famous fighter pilots of the Second World War, Basil Gerald “Stapme” Stapleton achieved flying ace status in the Battle of Britain and was immortalized in Richard Hillary’s classic wartime memoir The Last Enemy. Born in Durban, South Africa, Stapleton joined the Royal Air Force in 1939 and flew Spitfires with 603 Squadron. His legendary escapades during the Battle of Britain account for nearly twenty enemy aircraft destroyed, probably destroyed or damaged.
Stapleton later became flight commander of 257 Squadron and a gunnery instructor at RAF Kenley and Central Gunnery School, Catfoss. He returned to combat in 1944, flying Typhoons as commander of 247 Squadron. For his courageous combat during the Battle of Arnhem, he received the Dutch Flying Cross. In December of 1944, he was forced to land inside German lines and spent the rest of the war as a prisoner in Stalag Luft I on the Baltic coast.
Nicknamed 'Stapme' after a phrase used in his favorite cartoon 'Just Jake', Stapleton was a larger-than-life character who became a beloved public figure in his postwar life. With his handlebar mustache and good-humored bravado, he became for many the quintessential ace fighter pilot. In this authoritative and intimate volume, Stapleton tells his full story to historian David Ross, author of the acclaimed biography Richard Hillary.
One of the most famous fighter pilots of the Second World War, Basil Gerald “Stapme” Stapleton achieved flying ace status in the Battle of Britain and was immortalized in Richard Hillary’s classic wartime memoir The Last Enemy. Born in Durban, South Africa, Stapleton joined the Royal Air Force in 1939 and flew Spitfires with 603 Squadron. His legendary escapades during the Battle of Britain account for nearly twenty enemy aircraft destroyed, probably destroyed or damaged.
Stapleton later became flight commander of 257 Squadron and a gunnery instructor at RAF Kenley and Central Gunnery School, Catfoss. He returned to combat in 1944, flying Typhoons as commander of 247 Squadron. For his courageous combat during the Battle of Arnhem, he received the Dutch Flying Cross. In December of 1944, he was forced to land inside German lines and spent the rest of the war as a prisoner in Stalag Luft I on the Baltic coast.
Nicknamed 'Stapme' after a phrase used in his favorite cartoon 'Just Jake', Stapleton was a larger-than-life character who became a beloved public figure in his postwar life. With his handlebar mustache and good-humored bravado, he became for many the quintessential ace fighter pilot. In this authoritative and intimate volume, Stapleton tells his full story to historian David Ross, author of the acclaimed biography Richard Hillary.
About the author
David Ross has written numerous books on aspects of Scottish history and culture, some serious and some less so. His most recent isThe Killing Time, a study of Scotland between the Covenant of 1638 and the Union of 1707. Scottish humour is a particular interest, and he is compiler and editor of the best-selling Awa' an' Bile Yer Heid, an anthology of choice Scottish insults. He is currently working on anthology of Scottish humour from its earliest appearances to the present day.
Rate this ebook
Tell us what you think.
Reading information
Smartphones and tablets
Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.
Laptops and computers
You can listen to audiobooks purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.
eReaders and other devices
To read on e-ink devices like Kobo eReaders, you'll need to download a file and transfer it to your device. Follow the detailed Help Center instructions to transfer the files to supported eReaders.
