Wingless Victory

On the 27th of May, 1940, on being promoted to command an R.A.F. station where he need do no operational flying, Basil Embry had officially handed over his bomber squadron to his successor. Once more they were ordered into action: on the spur of the moment he decided to lead himself for the last time, even though no longer its official commander. Half an hour later he was alone in France surrounded by enemies, his comrades and his aeroplane gone. He was captured but broke from a prisoner-of-war column, a few yards from the muzzle of a German machine gun. Three times he was re-captured: on the second occasion, unarmed he fought his way out, then with a "borrowed" German rifle killed three guards. Alone, by his courage, wit and determination he battled on foot through France and reached England to fly and fight again and earn two more D.S.O.s in the process. He was created a K.B.E. in 1945 and as Air Marshal was C.-in-C. Fighter Command from 1947 to 1953.