Spitfires, Thunderbolts, and Warm Beer: An American Fighter Pilot Over Europe

Although history and aviation buffs will definitely enjoy this book, there was so much more to it. This book really makes you think about the value of life. Many, many people died in this book, from training accidents, falling off boats in the ocean, getting hit by "friendly fire", as well as getting hit in combat. Yet nobody complained. Lives were expendable for the cause. And for some pilots, just the act of flying was worth dieing for. The act of living seemed to become more important, and people seemed to live life to the fullest in spite of the troubling times.Don't get me wrong, this wasn't some deep, intense book. It was also very entertaining. I learned a lot about early aviation, and the early part of the war between England and Germany. But at the end of it I got a much better inside view about what it was like to live during World War II, and to enjoy the life we're given.

The book is about a young American private pilot along with many others who were recruited to fly in the RAF a long time before America entered the War. It is based mostly on his diary for the entire period from being recruited in California and starting training there until he finally returns home after more than 200 missions shortly before the war ends. In his diary the flyer includes plenty of out of the cockpit stories about interacting with the English civilians and flyers, his frequent encounters with the opposite sex, and meaningful observations about the loss of life from many types of aircraft crashes on British soil as well as those downed in combat. It's an adventure to read this book. It places you there during an intense period in WW II. The young pilot LeRoy Gover as of three years ago was in the Veteran's Hospital at Menlo Park, CA at age 83. This excellent book was written by Brig. Gen. Philip D. Caine, USAF (Ret.) who had Gover under his command during a portion of his service. I have loaned the book to two Air Force veterans, one from WW II and the other from Viet Nam wars. Neither could put it down it is that exciting and human. I had the same problem. Get it!

This is a terrific memoir of a fighter pilot in WWII told through the use of letters, journal entries, and narrative. By the end of it, you know you have spent time with a true War Hero of the first caliber. LeRoy Gover is a witty, articulate writer and much information is gleaned from his journals entries especially. I opened this book at 2:30 yesterday afternoon and finished it by noon today. A page turner in the same was as a great novel. Couldn't put it down. An excellent read, and highly recommended for war researchers and aviation enthusiasts alike. Thank you Mr. Caine for bringing this man's story to publication!

If you have any interest in WW2, WW2 fighter pilots, or are just an aviation buff, this book is a must read. Written based on diary entries, letters home, and interviews of LeRoy Gover, the result is a hard to put down account of one man as he goes into the RAF and eventually into the Army Air Corps. While Gover wan't one of the high scorers of the war, he exemplifies the guys who quietly got the job done. A great book about a real hero.