The Battle of Britain Five Months That Changed History, May—October 1940 by James Holland (z-lib.org).epub

the Mediterranean and served in North Africa and Italy, before ending the
war as a commander in KG 200, the Luftwaffe’s sabotage wing.
Of the British pilots, Bee Beamont went on to become one of the RAF’s
most successful fighter pilots, pioneering the Hawker Typhoon, later
commanding 609 Squadron, and becoming a leading ace at shooting down
V1 and V2 rockets. He developed the trick of tipping German rockets by
knocking them with a wing and thus making them hit the ground early,
away from London. After the war, he continued in the RAF, later becoming
a successful test pilot. He died in 2001. Billy Drake also had a highly
successful wartime career, and was present at the German surrender in
Reims on 7 May 1945. He remained with the RAF, retiring first to Portugal
and then later returning to England. He lives in Devon. No less successful
was Tom Neil, who later survived a long tour on Malta, then went on to
command 41 Squadron. After a brief spell instructing, he was seconded to
the US air force, took part in the Normandy invasion and then briefly saw
action in Burma. Post-war, he became a test pilot and then later served at
the British Embassy in Washington. He retired to Norfolk, where he still
lives.
Tony Bartley later commanded 111 Squadron in North Africa and
married the actress Deborah Kerr. Moving to Hollywood, he spent some
years as a scriptwriter and producer, having his own production company as
well as working as an executive for both CBS and Associated Rediffusion.
Later remarrying, he moved back to his native Ireland with his second wife.
He died in 2001. Pete Brothers also had a successful wartime career, and
post-war remained in the RAF, rising to the rank of Air Commodore. He
died in December 2008. Jimmy Corbin rejoined 66 Squadron in October
1940, was later commissioned and flew in North Africa. After the war he
returned to teaching and still lives in Maidstone.
Sadly, David Crook did not survive. After leaving 609 Squadron in
November 1940, he became an instructor. In December 1944, however, he
began training for high-level reconnaissance and it was during a flight off
the coast of Scotland on the 18th that his Spitfire suddenly dived down from
30,000 feet straight into the North Sea. It is not known for sure what caused
his death, but his body was never recovered.
No squadron shot down more German aircraft in the battle than 303 Ko
ciuszko Squadron. The Poles became legendary fighters – as did the Czechs
– and continued to fight with the RAF until the end of the war. Jan