Of many good books around - an interesting one is the biography of Adrian Warburton DSO and Bar, DFC and 2 bars, DFC (USA). The book is called "Warburton's War" and written by Tony Spooner. Not only does this book give the story of one of the RAFs most decorated (and probably least known) pilots of WWII, but it also shows what can be achieved when a Flt Cdr provides the leadership and encouragement to allow one of the military's misfits to reach his true magnificent potential. It is also a useful background for the history of the air war in Malta - particularly recce.
Warburton went to the same school as Bader and Gibson and quite probably achieved more than both of them in a military sense during his wartime career. He was a "failed" pilot who became a navigator, then learned to fly again very quickly as the supply of pilots in Malta dried up. A one off and something of a maverick (despite being married and having a wife in England - he lived openly with Christine, the "it girl" of Malta) he got results which is what the leadership wanted despite his almost total lack of service discipline. He probably contributed more than any other person to the success of the war in the mediterranean theatre and was recommended for the VC on several occasions - his detractors outside his circle saw to it that he did not get the medal he deserved - he still managed 2 x DSOs, 3 x DFCs and an American DFC for this exploits.
Buy it cheap on Amazon.
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