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Air Marshal 'Black' Robertson
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Fighters in the Blood: The Story of a Spitfire Pilot & the Son Who Followed in His Footsteps Kindle Edition

by Black' Robertson (Author), The Lord Stirup of Marylebone (Foreword) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 18 ratings
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A retired RAF air marshal looks back on his career and the career of his World War II pilot father in this military memoir.

As this fascinating memoir unfolds, moving backwards and forwards through time, two parallel stories emerge: one of a Second World War Spitfire ace whose flying career comes to a premature end when he’s shot down and loses an eye, the other of his progeny, a second-generation fighter pilot who eventually reaches the rank of air marshal.

The narrative is unique in its use of two separate and distinct voices. The author’s own reminiscences are interwoven with those his father recorded more than thirty years ago, embellished by extracts from some 300 of his wartime letters. Intensely personal and revealing, controversial too at times, this account is above all about people, not least those with whom the author flew while serving with the USAF—a tour marked by tragedy; that said, they proved altogether more friendly than the P-38 pilots who twice attacked his father in North Africa! A daughter with dual citizenship subsequently helped him sustain his links with the US, both while serving and afterwards in business.

The irony is that the son spent a lifetime training for the ultimate examination—one that, despite strictly limited preparation, his father passed with flying colors. To “Black” Robertson’s eternal regret he was never able to put his own training to the test. His father, “Robbie,” was awarded the DFC and retired as a flight lieutenant after five years or so. He himself served for nearly thirty-six years, earned a Queen’s Commendation, an OBE and CBE and served as an ADC to HM The Queen. But after reaching almost the top of the RAF tree, in one important sense he retired unfulfilled; his mettle was never tested under fire.

Anyone interested to know more about flying, about the RAF, about leadership, about character even, need look no further than this beautifully crafted, immensely readable account.

Praise for Fighters in the Blood

“Offers an insightful look into the professional development of an RAF airman from Cranwell cadet to Air Marshal, the evolution of the Royal Air Force itself from the early jet era of Hunters through the demanding days of NATO versus the Warsaw Pack and the defence of British interests (e.g. the Falklands) with the Phantom, and then on into the post-Cold War world where the need to strengthen RAF airpower is challenged by drawdowns, budgetary stringencies, and often misguided Mandarins driving questionable defence policy. I was struck by how beautifully the author integrated his father into the story . . . it is at once very moving and very effective, and, once again, works to integrate the RAF "then" with the RAF of the 1960s-1990s. The photographs are wonderful.  This book is a real winner.”” —Dr. Richard P. Hallion, Aerospace Historian
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  1. Print length
    335 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Air World
  5. Publication date
    August 31, 2020
  6. File size
    39323 KB
  7. Page Flip
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  8. Word Wise
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  9. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Black Robertson’s book is far more than simply an outstanding pilot memoir, or even a family memoir. Rather, it offers an insightful look into the professional development of an RAF airman from Cranwell cadet to Air Marshal, the evolution of the Royal Air Force itself from the early jet era of Hunters through the demanding days of NATO versus the Warsaw Pack and the defence of British interests (e.g. the Falklands) with the Phantom, and then on into the post-Cold War world where the need to strengthen RAF airpower is challenged by drawdowns, budgetary stringencies, and often misguided Mandarins driving questionable defence policy. I was struck by how beautifully the author integrated his father into the story . . . it is at once very moving and very effective, and, once again, works to integrate the RAF "then" with the RAF of the 1960s-1990s. The photographs are wonderful. This book is a real winner.”
Dr. Richard P. Hallion, Aerospace Historian

About the Author

Air Marshal GRAEME ‘BLACK’ ROBERTSON CBE, BA, FRAeS, FRSA was born in Woodford, Essex in 1945\. After three years at the RAF College, Cranwell, in 1968 he joined his first operational unit, 8 Squadron, flying Hawker Hunters in Bahrain. He then began a long association with the Phantom that included tours on 6 Squadron, command of both 92 Squadron in Germany (by his own account, the pinnacle of his career) and 23 Squadron in the Falkands. In 1985 he took over RAF Wattisham until he returned to Germany as the Deputy Commander in 1991 and subsequently as Air Officer Commanding No. 2 Group. His final appointment was as Chief of Staff and Deputy Commander-in-Chief RAF Strike Command in 1996\. He retired from the RAF in 1998.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08ND1RQZQ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Air World (August 31, 2020)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 31, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 39323 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 335 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 18 ratings

About the author

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Air Marshal 'Black' Robertson

Air Marshal 'Black' Robertson

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'Black' Robertson picked up his nickname when he entered the RAF College in 1963. Three years at Cranwell were followed by a further 33 in flying, staff and command appointments, including tours of duty in Bahrain, the USA, Germany and the Falklands. He flew all the RAF’s front line fighter aircraft and later qualified as a helicopter pilot. On retirement, he spent some five years with British Aerospace (subsequently BAE Systems) before setting up his own consultancy business.

After a period as Clerk and Company Secretary to The Honourable Company of Gloucestershire, the unearthing of copious family memorabilia led to the publication in 2020 of 'Fighters in the Blood'. Afterwards, concerned that he hadn't done his father, a decorated Spitfire ace, full justice he began work on a prequel. Drawing on new material - letters, documents and his father's log book - 'A Spitfire Named Connie' paints an intimate and authentic picture of life, love and loss in a bygone era; it was published in April 2022. A third book followed in June 2023: 'From Spitfires to Vampires and Beyond', the edited story Wg Cdr Owen Hardy, a New Zealander with whom his father served in 1942. His next book will be published in July 2024. 'Flying Through the Ranks' is a collection of fascinating stories from nearly 40 contributors, from a marshal of the RAF to a junior technician.

A Cranfield Trust mentor and a David Vaisey trustee (the annual Vaisey Awards reward Gloucestershire libraries for initiatives that encourage more book reading), he regularly gives talks both on his books and a personal fascination: the Battle of Britain.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
18 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

mary b. breckenridge
5.0 out of 5 stars A must for military aviation and military history enthusiasts!
Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2021
Verified Purchase
Can't speak highly enough to the outstanding narrative of military aviation past and present that beautifully describes the story of father and son serving in the Royal Air Force at very different times. Having served in the RAF myself for nearly 30 years, I found this book fascinating and it opened my eyes to the culture and fabric of the RAF just before I commissioned in the early 1990s.

Moreover, this is a wonderful tale of father and son and no doubt is true to many father and son relationships. It's beautifully written and doesn't shy from going into the appropriate amount of detail that all aviation and military history enthusiast crave.

I highly recommend this as a captivating window into a cherished age of aviation and Royal Air Force history.
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Tim Benford
5.0 out of 5 stars An inspiring story of life as an RAF fighter pilot
Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2023
Fighters in the Blood is a fascinating and moving memoir that tells the story of two generations of fighter pilots. The author, Air Marshal 'Black' Robertson, is the son of a Spitfire pilot who was shot down and blinded in one eye during World War II. Robertson himself followed in his father's footsteps and became a fighter pilot, eventually reaching the rank of air marshal.

The author includes frequent anecdotes about his father’s experiences in the war. In addition, Robertson tells his own story, from his childhood growing up in a military family, life at the RAF College Cranwell as a flight cadet, to his distinguished career in the RAF.
The book is beautifully written and full of insights into the life of a fighter pilot. Robertson's father's story is particularly moving, as he recounts his experiences of being shot down and blinded in one eye. Robertson's own story is also inspiring, as he describes his determination to follow in his father's footsteps and become a fighter pilot himself.

His recollections of life as a cadet at the RAF College are especially memorable if, like me, you were a cadet in a junior entry coincident with Black’s senior entry.

Fighters in the Blood is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of the RAF, the Second World War, or the life of a fighter pilot. It is a beautifully written and moving memoir that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.

Here are some of the things that make Fighters in the Blood such a great book:

- The book is well-written and engaging. Robertson's writing is clear and concise, and he does a great job of bringing his stories to life.

- The book is full of insights into the life of a fighter pilot. Robertson provides a detailed account of his training and experiences, both in the RAF and in the war.

- The book is both moving and inspiring. Robertson's stories of his father's war experiences are heartbreaking, but his own story is an inspiration to anyone who has ever dreamed of flying.

If you are looking for a book that will transport you to another time and place, or that will simply make you appreciate the life of a fighter pilot, then I highly recommend Fighters in the Blood.
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Top reviews from other countries

Philip Keating
5.0 out of 5 stars Fighter in the blood
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 16, 2024
Verified Purchase
Loved it all. Fabulous tale.
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Once a pilot
5.0 out of 5 stars A different take on the Air Force biography
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 5, 2024
Verified Purchase
This is an unusual approach to an aviation biography. I knew Black Robertson when we were both cadets so I was interested in how this would turn out. Black's Father had been a wartime fighter pilot, his career cut short by a serious injury. Throughout the book, the author contrasts his experience in the Cold War RAF with the experiences of his Father. It is a very effective approach, and makes the book especially interesting to read.
Very highly recommended.
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patrick russell
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 19, 2022
Verified Purchase
A wonderful personal story of Black Robertson's career in the Royal Air Force rising from Cranwell cadet to Air Marshal, one step away from the highest active rank. What jumps from the pages is a love of flying. The added bonus of a second biography of his father is inspired. The whole book is written in a style that is easy to read and enjoy. Another plus is the fact he commanded 92 Squadron where I enjoyed my first overseas tour( albeit a little earlier than the Air Marshal.
One person found this helpful
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Alistair
5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable and entertaining read.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 1, 2021
Verified Purchase
Enjoyed the connections between father and son and as I served during the same era as Black I found his story informative and revealing.
One person found this helpful
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D M Ayres
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 4, 2021
Verified Purchase
Still reading but so far it is a fascinating and candid insight into the career of a very successful RAF Officer.
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