Wade, Martin Auxiliary Aces of Churchill's Few

Part-time Airmen Who Helped Win the Battle of Britain

The Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAAF) serves as the primary reserve capacity for the regular Royal Air Force (RAF). It was founded in October 1924 as the Auxiliary Air Force (AAF) and consists of paid volunteers who train in the evenings and at weekends to support the RAF in national emergencies and conflicts. Their pre-war counterparts, together with the pilots of the RAF Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR), played a crucial role in the Battle of Britain. Of the sixty-two squadrons involved in the Battle of Britain, fourteen were AAF units. These experienced auxiliary squadrons accounted for 30% of enemy aircraft destroyed in the summer of 1940. Notably, No. 609 Squadron (West Riding) was the first Spitfire squadron to record 100 enemy kills. The most successful auxiliary unit was No. 603 Squadron (City of Edinburgh), which scored 58 kills under the leadership of Squadron Commander George Denholm. Auxiliary Aces of Churchill's Few highlights the stories of many of these heroic pilots. Squadron Leader Archie McKellar, a plasterer who became a fighter pilot with No. 602 Squadron (City of Glasgow), became an Ace in a Day by shooting down five Me 109s in just 24 hours while flying with No. 605 Squadron (County of Warwick). Sergeant James Ginger Lacey of No. 501 Squadron (County of Gloucester) shot down a bomber attacking Buckingham Palace during his service. Flight Lieutenant Findlay Boyd of No. 602 Squadron (City of Glasgow) shot down a Junkers Ju 87 Stuka less than a minute after take-off, achieving the fastest victory of the battle. The commitment of the auxiliaries was remarkable, as impressively demonstrated by their achievements, including the first flight over Mount Everest in 1933. Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Park praised their contribution as indispensable, stating: Without the auxiliaries, we could not have defeated the Luftwaffe in 1940. Auxiliary Aces of Churchill's Few captures their bravery, skill and crucial role during this critical period.