First Light, Geoffrey Wellum

First Light Front Cover 

I wanted to take the time to re-vist a book I read last summer and share with you my thoughts on it.

First light details the career of Geoffrey Wellum in the RAF, joining straight from school in 1939 this book takes you right through from his signing up at the recruiting office and details his worries and concerns as he talked the pressure of basic training knowing he could be dropped from the course at any stage and on wards to squadron life and learning his trade from Battle of Britain aces. Slowly rising through the ranks of fighter command the book culminates with operation pedestal taking vital supplies to Malta where Geoffrey who has been in the fray for months reluctantly gets sent back Britain for much needed rest and relaxation as he's burnt out both physically and mentally after a prolonged time in front line combat.

For anyone who's interests include either history or aviation this book is a must and gives such valuable insight into every aspect of becoming a fighter command pilot at the beginning of the second world war. But more than that it charts the development of a school boy who goes from a summer in his school's first 11 to the next summer flying the most advanced fighter aircraft in the world in combat over England and France. I couldn't put this book down and by the time I got to the end I just wanted it to continue through out the whole book it felt like I was sitting on the authors shoulder watching the events unfold before me. Its simply the best book of its type I know of.