A Spitfire Named Connie is an exciting rollercoaster of a story of Robbie Robertson, a front line fighter pilot who lived through the Battle of Britain and the Blitz and, inspired by the exploits of Fighter Command, joined the RAF. As he learnt his trade Robbie rubbed shoulders with national figures and wartime heroes, amongst them Battle of Britain legends Brian Kingcome, Ginger Lacey and Bob Stanford Tuck. By 1942, Robbie is in action in the skies over North Africa and at last in combat with the Luftwaffe.
It was there, though, that tragedy struck. Wounded and shot down, his Spitfire crashed to the ground. Rescued from the wreckage of his aircraft by the Army, he is moved from casualty clearing stations to hospitals across Tunisia and Algeria, as doctors try desperately to save his sight.
Unable to stand the pain any longer, he finally agrees to the removal of his right eye, presaging permanent grounding and an eventual return to the UK. Desk-bound for the remainder of his RAF career, the second, and more poignant period of his life begins. For the young schoolgirl me met at the beginning of his training, and with whom he had been in frequent correspondence with ever since, becomes his wife.
It is the letters which passed between the two, along with other correspondence from RAF colleagues and Robbie s flying logbook, which form the basis of this powerfully moving and emotional story many of which are reproduced in this highly-charged tale. A Spitfire Named Connie reads like a novel, filled with pathos, tragedy, and compassion, yet, incredible as it seems, every word is true.
