Wings (Powell)

In March 1942, Battle of Britain Spitfire ace, Jack Williams, is one of 15 pilots flying the first Spitfires to reach the most heavily bombed place on Earth: the tiny Mediterranean island of Malta. Their task is simple, regain control of the air. But when not sheltering from incessant bombing by Luftwaffe forces based only minutes to the north on Sicily, Jack and his fellow pilots are hunted from take off to landing by tens of Messerschmitt 109Fs. Can they, and the Island, survive?

Over fourteen days at the heart of the Battle of Britain, Spitfire pilots Jack and Alex struggle to survive the savage battles raging in the air over southern England. Several times a day, they fly against overwhelming odds, witnessing the death and disfigurement of friends and enemies, and wrestling with the knowledge that the same could happen to them at any moment. Brief periods on the ground offer little respite, with Biggin Hill subjected to frequent air raids, during which many more friends are killed. Both Jack and Alex find love, but only one survives.