The Flying Sailor by André Jubelin

The Flying Sailor by André Jubelin lands on the shelves of my shop.

Hurst & Blackett, 1953, Hardback in dust wrapper.

Illustrated by way of: Black and White Photographs;

From the cover: Rear-Admiral André Jubelin is now the youngest admiral in the French Navy, the French Naval Attaché in Washington, and French Delegate to the Supreme Allied Command Atlantic. His naval record during the war is remarkable enough, but what is unique is that he also served with great distinction in the thick of the battle in quite another arm the Royal Air Force. Commander Jubelin, as he then was, flew with British squadrons both as day and night fighter pilot.

In The Flying Sailor Admiral Jubelin tells the story of his personal war from the time of his dramatic escape from Indo-China, where he had been gunnery officer on the flagship, to the British in Malaya after the fall of France. His one thought was to fight Germans. In London his immediate assignment, the command of an old French battleship used as a depot ship in Portsmouth Harbour, did not seem to promise satisfaction. By arming the battleship to the teeth as an A. A. ship and turning her into a formidable combatant in the air battle for Portsmouth, the author transformed his depot into a fighting unit and earned the appreciation of the Admiralty. But soon he was training with the Fleet Air Arm, and before long was seconded to the R. A. F. as fighter pilot. His life, first with day fighter squadrons and then with a night-fighter intruder squadron operating from Tang-mere, makes stirring and exciting reading. Nothing more vivid has been written about night fighters. However, representations from the Admiralty about the employment of a high-ranking naval officer as a pilot finally caused the Free French Admiralty to appoint him to command of a sloop. Before long he was in the thick of the battle again as convoy escort working with the Royal Navy.

It is not surprising that The Flying Sailor has had a big success in France and won two literary prizes the only book to do so in 1952. The staggering fact is that this flying admiral is also an eloquent writer. He unfolds a philosophy of flight that has been compared in France with the best of Saint-Exupeiy. His book deserves equal recognition here, no less for the part played in our own fighting services than for the modesty, liveliness and humour with which it is written. As a mature man and seasoned naval officer, Admiral Jubelin gives us a fresh view of Britain and the British at war. It is evident that he liked what he saw, and the reader takes a reciprocal liking to him.

Good in Poor Dust Wrapper. Unlaminated dust wrapper a little edgeworn and faded with loss at the head of the spine, top of the upper panel and a tear to the lower panel. Edges of the text block lightly spotted. Leans.

Blue boards with Gilt titling to the Spine. 276 pages. Index. 8½” x 5½”.

Of course, if you don’t like this one there are plenty more available here!