A Spitfire Named Connie

Letters from a North Africa Ace – A Tale of Triumph and Tragedy

'Black' Robertson

• Publisher: Air World
• Year: 2022
• ISBN:
  9781399099042
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: Military Biographies
• Index: History

A Spitfire Named Connie is an exciting rollercoaster of a story. 'Robbie' Robertson begins his RAF training during the Battle of Britain and the Blitz. As he learns his trade, he is soon rubbing shoulders with Fighter Command heroes, amongst them Brian Kingcome, 'Ginger' Lacey and Bob Stanford Tuck. Moving from 111 to 72 Squadron, he opens his account against the Luftwaffe in the spring of 1942. Six months later, as he adds further to his score, the action moves to the skies over North Africa. It is there that tragedy strikes. Wounded and shot down by one of the Luftwaffe's most celebrated Experten, his Spitfire crashes to the ground. Found lying near the wreckage by an Army patrol, Robbie is moved from casualty clearing stations to hospitals across Tunisia and Algeria as doctors try desperately to save his sight. Finally, unable to stand the pain any longer, he reluctantly agrees to the removal of his right eye. A slow recovery and eventual return to the UK is no compensation for the end of his flying career. Desk-bound for the remainder of the war, the second and more poignant period of his RAF life begins. The young schoolgirl, Connie Freeman, with whom he has been in regular correspondence since her evacuation, becomes his wife. It is literally hundreds of Robbie's letters that form the basis of this powerful, moving and emotional story. Together with his own and Connie's diaries, correspondence from RAF colleagues and his flying logbook, they bring a unique authenticity to this highly-charged tale. A Spitfire Named Connie reads like a novel, filled with excitement, pathos and compassion. Yet, incredible as it may seem, every single word is true.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• Foreword: Field Marshal the Lord Walker of Aldringham GCB CMG CBE
• Introduction
• Chapter 1: 20 December 1942, Souk-el-Khemis, Tunisia
• Chapter 2: 1 September 1939, Plaistow, East London
• Chapter 3: 20 December 1942, No. 1 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station), Tunisia
• Chapter 4: 5 December 1939, Manor Park, East London
• Chapter 5: 23 December 1942, 84th General Hospital, Souk Ahras, Algeria
• Chapter 6: 19 August 1940, No. 1 Aircrew Reception Centre, Babbacombe
• Chapter 7: 30 December 1942, 84th General Hospital, Souk Ahras, Algeria
• Chapter 8: 27 February 1941, No. 4 EFTS (Elementary Flying Training School), RAF Brough
• Chapter 9: 1 January 1943, 94th General Hospital, Algiers
• Chapter 10: 3 May 1941, No. 15 SFTS (Service Flying Training School), RAF Kidlington
• Chapter 11: 15 January 1943, 94th General Hospital, Algiers
• Chapter 12: 20 July 1941, No. 57 OTU (Operational Training Unit), RAF Hawarden
• Chapter 13: 3 February 1943, 94th General Hospital, Algiers
• Chapter 14: 30 September 1941, 111 Squadron, RAF North Weald
• Chapter 15: 7 February 1943, 94th General Hospital, Algiers
• Chapter 16: 9 December 1941, 72 Squadron, RAF Gravesend
• Chapter 17: 18 February 1943, HMHS (His Majesty’s Hospital Ship) Newfoundland
• Chapter 18: 22 March 1942, RAF Biggin Hill
• Chapter 19: 6 April 1943, Mount Vernon Hospital, Northwood
• Chapter 20: 3 May 1942, RAF Biggin Hill
• Chapter 21: 5 June 1943, Woodford Wells
• Chapter 22: 16 June 1942, RAF Biggin Hill
• Chapter 23: 24 August 1943, Newport, Monmouthshire
• Chapter 24: 2 August 1942, RAF Morpeth
• Chapter 25: 21 September 1943, Newport, Monmouthshire
• Chapter 26: 19 October 1942, APO (Army Post Office) 4330
• Chapter 27: 22 October 1943, Welshpool
• Chapter 28: 22 November 1942, Souk-el-Arba, Tunisia
• Chapter 29: 31 January 1945, Newport, Monmouthshire
• Chapter 30: 19 December 1942, Souk-el-Arba, Tunisia
• Chapter 31: 30 May 1985, Frinton-on-Sea
• Epilogue
• Appendix: Logbook Extracts – R.J.H. Robertson
• Abbreviations
• Plates 1
• Plates 2