Books: Flyer's Flight

ALONE HE WENT (248 pp.)—Anthony Richardson—Norton ($3).

Air Marshal Sir Basil Embry, D.S.O., is today commander in chief of Britain's Fighter Command. But in May 1940 he was a mere squadron leader, just notified of his promotion to group captain. Promptly he decided to lead his old squadron on a farewell sweep over northern France. An hour or so later, while the rest of the squadron headed home, Group Captain Embry, his plane shot to pieces, was "gently, blissfully" descending upon the German lines by parachute.

The Germans captured him, but Embry was back in Britain again within ten weeks. He made his...

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