Description DFC Spitfire pilot – Shot Down – Evader – Prisoner of War – South African Air Force – North Africa & Italy theatres. The exceptional Log Book of South African Air Force Spitfire pilot Barry Keyter. His WW2 Log Book begins at No 1 Air School 18th October 1941 in Tiger Moths. First period of training from 18th October 1941 in Tiger Moths ended January 2nd 1942 when he switched to training in Hart, Audax and Hind aircraft. He notes “QUALIFIED FOR S.A.A.F. FLYING BADGE 24 – 4 – 1942.” He then continued training in the Master for 2 months until early July 1942 with his course ending 3rd July 1942. With 71 OUT Carthago he continued training in the Harvard before flying the Hurricane September 23rd 1942. He continued in the Hurricane and the Tomahawk before joining 2 R.S.U. (M.E.) November 12 1942. With 2 RSU he flew The Tomahawk then Kittyhawk. March 2nd 1942 he became Operational with 2 Squadron flying the Kittyhawk, his first operation on the 2nd Dive Bombing near Medenine, just a few days before the ground based Battle of Medenine. His ops are well annotated in this log book. His ops number 21 by May 12th. July 6th 1943 he notes “The Last of the Kitties” as he switches to the Spitfire. July 9th he starts to fly the Spitfire and soon became operational in Spitfires, his first comment being “A Smart Aircraft”, flying his 22nd op on the 23th August 1943. During his recorded Ops he notes “Italy Capitulated Today” on the 8th September 1943, on this day he had an uneventful patrol at 10,000ft. Keyter continues on frequent operations over Italy culminating in his patrol on the 22nd January 1944 over Rhubarb Rail Avezzano – Sulmona when he was hit in coolant and baled out at 3000ft. His Log Book notes – “Shot down on Jan 22nd – Captured by Germans 4th April 1944 – P.O.W. at Stalag Luft 1, Barth, Germany – Released by advancing Russian on May 1st 1945. Awarded D.F.C. Jan 1944. “. In fact Keyter was unaware until after his release from Germany and out for an evening in London. He was repatriated at Ford, West Sussex, after flight from Barth, Germany by Flying Fortress. His autobiography, From Wings to Jackboots, published 1995 adds superb context and detail behind the Log Book entries. His time on the run as an evader is fully described in the books as is his capture and period in prisoner of war camp. Barry Keyter always wanted to fly and at a very young age he joined the South African Air Force where he duly gained his “wings”. As a volunteer he was obliged to serve wherever he was posted. This entailed a period as a fighter pilot in North Africa during World War II, after which he was transferred to the Italian campaign until he was shot down in January 1944. He then spent three months on the run, hiding in the mountains, but was finally captured by the German Army and taken prisoner of war. This book is based on the diary the author kept during the war. This is a comprehensive Log Book with far above average combat detail and overall history. A must for the serious collector. Overseas buyers must contact us prior to ordering. Pricing is ex store. All shipping, import and export duty and other taxes will be paid by the buyer. Please contact us to agree delivery system and cost.
