A new edition of Cecil Lewis's 1944 aviation classic.

Over the course of a single night in 1942, the crew members of a Wellington bomber reflect on the paths of their own lives as they embark on a fateful mission deep in the heart of Nazi Germany. Based on his own experience as a World War I fighter ace, Cecil Lewis's stunning novel examines the life of each man, rendering a moving account of each as not merely a nameless crew member, but as an individual with a life lived: "A life precious to some, or one. . . . These men with dreams and hopes and plans of things to come."

This new edition of the 1944 classic includes a new introduction from an Imperial War Museums historian that puts the novel in historical context and shines a light on this vital and sometimes contested aspect of Britain's involvement in World War II.

About the Author
Cecil Lewis (1898-1997) was a British fighter ace in World War I and a flying instructor for the RAF during World War II. He was a prolific writer and his novel Sagittarius Rising became a classic of World War I literature, considered by many as the definitive account of aerial combat. He retained a passion for flying all his life and was the last surviving British fighter ace of WWI.

Reviews
"Moving, interesting and of great literary value." -- Louis de Bernieres



Book Information
ISBN 9781912423378
Author Cecil Lewis
Format Paperback
Page Count 264
Imprint Imperial War Museum
Publisher Imperial War Museum