ON SILVER WINGS

THIS MOVING BIOGRAPHY OF AN 'UNKNOWN' WWII RAF FIGHTER ACE CHARTS DESMOND IBBOTSON'S CAREER, THE STORY ENDING WITH A TWIST WHEN HIS REMAINS ARE DISCOVERED IN ITALY IN 2005

- Author: James B Wright Publisher: The History Press Price: £22 (Hardback) On Sale: Out now

The subtitle of this superb work, A Spitfire Ace Rediscovered, succinctly encompasses its theme: the rediscovery of a young pilot's tragically short career and, sadly, the discovery of his remains in Italy at the crash site of a Spitfire.

With the Battle of Britain in full flow, Desmond Ibbotson was keen to complete his training and join the fray. Yet on 23 July 1940 he had only just enlisted in the RAF Volunteer Reserve. Flying training, let alone operational flying, was months away. After the obligatory route through basic and elementary training, service flying school and, eventually, time at an operational training unit in June 1941 to train on Spitfires, he was ready for his first squadron posting.