LOW ATTACK: The Story of Two Mosquito Squadrons, 1940-1943.

Second edition. Signed and inscribed by Charles Patterson to "Laddie Lucas". Publisher's original blue cloth with titles in gilt to the spine, in dustwrapper. Illustrated throughout with black and white photographs. A fine copy, the binding square and tight, the contents clean and crisp throughout. Complete with the near fine dustwrapper which has a touch of wear to the head of the spine. Not price-clipped (£14.95 to the front flap).

Signed and inscribed by Charles Patterson to the front free endpaper "Christmas 1996 / For Laddie, whose stimulating company and outstanding achievements / have given me so much pleasure / for over fifty years. / Charles Patterson / 105 Squadron September 1942 to May 1943". An excellent association copy of this vivid, well-illustrated account of two Mosquito squadrons during the Second World War, first published by Sampon Low in 1943, inscribed by Mosquito Squadron Leader Charles Patterson, DSO, DFC (1919-2008) to the legendary spitfire Percy Belgrave "Laddie" Lucas, CBE, DSO and Bar, DFC (1915-1998). Patterson, who is mentioned and pictured in the present work, joined the RAF on the outbreak of war and flew Mosquitos with 105 Squadron, mostly carrying out daylight raids, but also taking part in the first night raid on Berlin. In January 1943 he was selected as pilot for the Mosquito Film Unit and flew Mosquito DZ414 on over 20,000 operational hours both day and night, most notably filming the D-Day landings from above the beach head. Lucas had joined the RAF in June 1940, travelling to Canada to undertake flying training at the Flying Training School. On completion, he was assigned to 66 Squadron in August 1941, with whom he flew combat missions until the end of 1942. Arriving in Malta in February 1942, he commanded No. 249 Squadron during the Battle of Malta, after which he was awarded the DFC. In 1943, he took command of No. 616 Squadron, later commanding the Spitfire wing at RAF Coltishall, and then, between 1944 and 1945, serving with the RAF Second Tactical Air Force in North-West Europe. Lucas was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in January 1944, and then a bar to his DSO in October 1945 for making numerous attacks on enemy communications, often in dangerous conditions.