Warburton's War: the Life of Maverick Ace Adrian Warburton, Dso, Dfc, Dfc (Fighter pilots) Paperback – 15 Nov. 2003

War biographies aren't known for their psychological reflections but this is a feature of this author's recounting of Adrian Warburton's war career. Consequently, Warburton comes across as a very human character and the reader's view of his life and what motivated him is broadened beyond the usual scope of this type of history. Many people know that Malta was a focal point of WW2 for a long time. Details of that war, however, may well be just a vague idea, as it was to me. This narrative, although centred on one life, gives a good account of Malta during that time and its importance to the Allied campaign in N. Africa and Italy.My one complaint about the book is the cover depiction of the ubiquitous Spitfire. Although Warburton flew these planes, his main work from the start of his time in Malta was the far lesser-known Maryland. The cover design gives the impression that he was a fighter pilot, which is far removed from his duties as an unarmed reconnaissance pilot. True, he seemed to have the instincts and drive of a fighter and shot down a number of planes, but it was mainly for his efficiency and death-defying daring in photographing the enemy that he was so admired. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was a fitting tribute to a great man whose life, like so many, was elevated and defined and then cut short by the fortune of war.

A very good book going into detail about just how Adrian Warburton came to be the extraordinairy and highly decorated pilot that he was. A great insight into a person who, from not the best of starts in the RAF did more than his fair share and sadly died too soon.A good feature of this edition is the information concerning the search for and finding of his remains in Egling an der Parr near Augsburg and his funeral and burial at the Dürnbach War Cemetery. This helping to complete the story and not leave you wondering what became of this highly decorated ace.This is a "must read" for anyone who enjoys biographies of this nature.

Life story of fighter pilot

Adrian Warburton's story reads like fiction. He was a WWII trouble maker who lacked discipline, kept crashing his aircraft and was sent to Malta more or less as a punishment. There he became the top photo reconnaissance pilot of all time, and along the way almost as an aside shot down enough enemy planes to qualify as an official ace. Where other photo recce people would fly once over a target quickly to get their pictures, he would fly over once at low level to get his bearings and then, when all the defences below were alert, he'd fly back again taking his pictures. Bits of his story have appeared in several books and films in fictionalised form. Time somebody did the job properly with a biopic.

Unfortunately this edition had no photos or illustrations,only the sequel relating to the finding of Adrian Warburton's remains & crashed plane in Southern Germany.Necessary therefore to have the earlier publication as well.

I knew nothing of Adrian Warburton before reading this book and not as much of the desperate times of the airmen of Malta and the constant stresses they were under as I should have done. This pilot achieved great things in survival, in the air and with his groundcrew and perhaps unlike the other 'greats' of the Britrish airwar, (Bader, Johnson, Deere et alia), has not had the coverage he deserved. So the book is an insight into the man, the Meditteranean war and the survival of Malta. One does come away slightly puzzled by this off beat officer, one who could survive and suceed where regimentation was in fact meaningless, but who was always going to struggle in more conventional surroundings and a greyer sky. One also has to suspect that his difficulties and depression after severe physical injuries may have had a great deal to do with post traumatic stress disorder after frantic and highly overworked war experiences, a condition as we know not well recognised at the time and one he would have tried to dismiss. An interesting read for those who follow the WW2 flyers.

A brilliant book which really brings to life the exploits of a man who did it his way. You will not want to put the book down.

Tells the story of Warby from below average pilot through to an outstanding one whose take-offs and landings in twin engined aeroplanes was "ham fisted" to quote one CO, but once in the air was undoubtedly exceptional. He excelled in many things probablly much to the surprise of many who knew his early career. A Biggles of his time.