Desert Flyer

Desert Flyer Synopsis

Killed in a flying accident in February 1944, Flying Officer William Marsh left behind a personal insight into the life of a desert flyer. Desert Flyer follows Bill Marsh from his early days as a schoolboy, through his RAF training in England and Canada, joins him in his first operational squadron and ultimately his life in North Africa. Originally posted to No. 605 Squadron, Bill Marsh was to have served in the unit in the Far East.

However, fate dictated that he was destined for the desert war. He joined No. 274 Squadron and flew Hurricane fighter/bombers against Rommel's forces in the North African desert. Graphic descriptions of Marsh's eyewitness accounts of the sinking of the Royal Navy's aircraft Ark Royal, the aerial dogfights with the Luftwaffe and Regia Aeronautica, as well as details of his day-to-day life are all recorded within these pages.

Over 230 previously unpublished photographs, taken by Bill Marsh, support the text. Utilizing private journals, personal letters, photographs, and flying log books, together with details from squadron operational record books, the author has brought to life the words and photographs recorded by William Marsh, the Desert Flyer.