Smoke Trails in the Sky

The journals of a Battle of Britain Pilot. Tony Bartley epitomised the young, dashing fighter pilot of the Battle of Britain. Born in Ireland but educated in England, he joined the RAF at the outbreak of war. He flew Spitfires with 92 Squadron from RAF Hornchurch, first in the battle of France, then covering the Dunkirk evacuation. Later in 1940 he moved to RAF Biggin hill and flew daily over London at the height of the Battle of Britain. Bartley went on to test-fly Spitfires, them led 65 Squadron, then 111 Squadron in North Africa and also flew with the American 9th Air Force covering the Normandy landings. His account relives the close atmosphere of close knit fighter squadrons and also the respite offered by the London social life. He met and married the actress Deborah Kerr and moved to Hollywood where he became a screen-writer and later a film company executive.