This is another of Phil Listemann's great research books on Commonwealth Squadrons of WWII. This one is 452 Squadron (RAAF), probably the first RAAF unit to see combat in WWII. Formed in mid 1941 on war-weary Spitfire Is and IIs, the unit commenced coastal patrol operations while working up. This soon changed to fighter sweeps over the Continent  while still flying the old aircraft. Then soon got Spitfire Vs and from July 1941 until March of 1942 were able to score against many German aircraft.

The unit soon was recalled to Australia to help in the defense against the Japanese and arriving in August of that year and commencing operations a while later on Spitfire Vtrops. Later in the war the unit became basically a ground attack squadron on Spitfire VIIIs and their aircraft were adorned with the Ace of Spades marking on the rudder. Though the skies were pretty well swept of Japanese, the unit did manage to bag a few upon their return to Australia. Like many squadrons, it was disbanded following the war when they were no longer needed.

In common with other editions, this one has a full unit history with lists of known aircraft/serials, list of aces, aircraft shot down, aircraft lost, maps of where the unit was based and a listing of all known pilots as well as a listing of those who were lost while with the unit. In short, this is a stats book. It is also one that has a superb selection of photographs of the aircraft during the unit's existence as well as the men who flew the planes. It is further enhanced by three pages of superb color profiles, the sort of things that modelers love to see. All of this in the large A4 format.

Overall, it is a superbly researched and presented book. One that I found fascinating and one that is bound to be a valuable reference resource in the years to come. Most highly recommended.

August 2011

Review book courtesy of www.raf-in-combat.com. Visit them for other great titles

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