SWEEPING THE SKIES

Story of a nightfighter ace

Thomas Geoffrey Pike joined the Royal Air Force on 17 January 1924 as a flight cadet at Cranwell. During his long career in peace and war, he held a variety of appointments around the world which culminated in the RAFs top post, that of Chief of Air Staff. He then moved to Versailles, France, for his last military position, Deputy Supreme Commander Allied Powers Europe,

Beaufighter Ace by Richard Pike (Pen & Sword Books, England) is an account of Tom Pike's leadership of his No. 219 nightfighter squadron based at Tangmere, Sussex, in 1941. As CO of the squadron, Wing Commander Pike was decorated twice for his outstanding bravery and influence during a tenmonth tour. Written by his son, this book is based on. log books, notes, and memories of family conversations. The author describes in poignant style the suspense and danger confronted by the nightfighter crews as they challenged enemy bombers over southern England and the English Channel in those early and desperate wartime years.

Copyright Challenge Publications Inc. Feb 2005
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