Senior RAF veteran and medals researcher Graham Pitchfork uses a novel approach to the history of air operations in World War II. He has chosen to use the medals and decorations awarded during the conflict to present a picture of the war as seen by the ordinary air and ground More...crews of the RAF. The Distinguished Flying Cross, the Burma Star, the 1939-45 Star and other medals may seem like mere entries in a reference book today but behind them lie stories of endurance and sacrifice. The distribution of wartime medals can often reveal in unexpected ways the relative difficulty of missions and the priorities of Britain's wartime leaders. For instance, 23 Victoria Crosses were awarded to Bomber Command, while the far more publicized Fighter Command got only a single award. The author covers all theaters of the war, all types of operations, and the major aircraft types in service. He has also used his lifetime of contacts to amass a unique collection of photographs, most of them never seen before by even the most dedicated aviation or World War II enthusiast. Graham Pitchfork served for 36 years in the Royal Air Force and was Director of Intelligence for the Ministry of Defense at the time of his retirement. He has continued to be active with the Royal Aeronautical Society, the Aircrew League and the Orders and Medals Research Society.
