Winged Victory

a Novel by V.M.Yeates

Yeates's novel reads as a dramatisation of real events with only the names of personalities changed to protect the individuals. Whether this is true or not only the author can know and he died in 1934. Nevertheless it is clear that the book is based very closely on the author's experiences whilst a Sopwith Camel pilot in 46 Squadron RFC/RAF during 1918. It is interesting that a number of the characters in the book bear uncanny resemblance to some of the known members of 46 squadron. For example the book has the big "hun getter" as a Canadian called Mac. In 46 squadron the top ace was Capt D.R. MacLaren from Canada. There are also pilots called Thompson, Robinson and Debenham in the book. These are also the names of real aces from 46 squadron.

The story covers a period of service of a Sopwith Camel pilot called Tom Cundall with an unnamed squadron in 1918. It recounts the daily mix of life experienced by him and how he dealt with it both emotionally and physically. It includes a number of other squadron members as characters, some who Tom greatly admired and respected and some who made his life hell. The books great appeal to others who have flown in real aerial combat is Tom's continual struggle with whether or not he is a coward and with the emotional loss he experiences as friends die violent deaths. He also has a great struggle trying to understand how all the sacrifice is justified. There is little doubt that many people in time of war have had the same emotions as Tom and, whilst those who have never been there can never know the totality of the experience, this book can help us understand what those people, who have experienced war, had to endure and how they may feel about it.

The book includes many wonderful descriptions of aerial combat written by a talented writer who experienced the real thing and gives those of us who are fascinated by that time in history a feel of what it was like to be in the middle of it. The book makes great reading and some people have been known to re-read it five times or more.

Winged Victory is currently out of print, but used copies are not too difficult to come by at second hand book stores. There are also some websites which can assist with finding a copy. Try the links below.

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