The Last Enemy
HILLARY, Richard
IN FULL MOROCCO
Published: Macmillan, 1942
Stock code: 38414
Price: £465.00
8vo., First Edition; handsomely bound in full navy crushed morocco, sides with gilt frame borders, back with raised bands, second and fourth compartments lettered and ruled in gilt, all other compartments tooled in gilt with 'propeller' motif, gilt top, hand-made endpapers, a most attractive copy ideal as a gift or for presentation.
Arguably the finest account of the Battle of Britain by a British fighter pilot. Hillary flew Spitfires out of Hornchurch with 603 Squadron and claimed five victories before being badly burned over the North Sea. An early member of the Guinea Pig Club, he was treated by McIndoe and returned to duty, but was killed shortly after in a training accident. The work was many times reprinted, but early issues are scarce. The US title is 'Falling Through Space'. Enser, p.157