No.453 (RAAF) Squadron, 1941-1945: Buffalo, Spitfire (Famous Commonwealth Squadrons of WW2)

No.453 Squadron had a very bad start in Singapore in 1941-42, where it was one of the fighter units dedicated to the defense of this British colony. The pilots were highly motivated and skilled, however they were unable to prevent one of the worst military disasters suffered by the British Empire. The squadron was disbanded after its evacuation from the island following a very difficult and costly struggle over the Malayan jungle. It was reformed a few weeks later in the United Kingdom, to represent the Australians in Europe, after the departure of its two sister squadrons -Nos.452 and 457 Sqns. The squadron was then given another opportunity to prove what it was capable of against a new enemy - the Germans. It took part in various major actions, with an impressive combat record, until the War's end and then took part in the occupation of Germany. More than 60 photographs (some published for the first time) and 10 color profiles illustrate the book which contains 88 pages and, like the other titles of this series, there is a full pilot roster and appendices covering claims, losses, maps, airfields and the operational diary.