Book Review: Malta Spitfire by Leslie Roberts - Page 3

Not a lot more is written about the war. He was honourably discharged in October 1944, and these were obviously unhappy times for him. Sadly, in a mirror of Beurling's life, the book comes to an abrupt end. Beurling was killed whilst flying as an instructor on the P-51 Mustang aircraft with the Israeli Air Force in 1948.

More than just a book, Malta Spitfire is a historical document. With fewer and fewer of the RAF's Spitfire pilots alive each year, books like this remind everyone of the price that was paid by so many in World War II. Beurling was one of the most successful pilots to fly in the skies over Malta, and without him and his comrades, the outcome of the war could have been very different. This book is an insight in to how the RAF held on so far from home, and the part that the islanders themselves played in this campaign.

Sometimes shocking, sometimes humourous, Malta Spitfire is a real page-turner. For anyone who wants to read about the RAF in World War II, Roberts and Beurling give a fantastic view into what life was like, the hardship, the camaraderie, and the heartbreak. A fantastically well written book, and one without which my book collection would not be complete.

Article Author: Graeme Smith

Graeme is a 30-something living in the West Midlands in the UK. A gamer since he was young, he now doesn't have enough time to play games or take photographs because he spends time with his family. Graeme also owns and runs The Psychotic Monkey.

Visit Graeme Smith's author page — Graeme Smith's Blog