On Watch to Strike - History of 400 (City of Toronto) Squadron, 1932 to 1996

Rectangular Hardback with Dust Jacket - c.22.5cm by 27.5cm (A13VWSO)

From the foreword by Arthur Bishop: I am very proud and consider it an honour to be asked to write the foreword to this excellent history, for although I never served with the most senior squadron in the Canadian Armed Forces, my attachment to those who enjoyed that honour is long and nostalgic. As a youngster I had the privilege of being exposed to the likes of Geoff O'Brian, Wilf Curtis, Phil Garret, and Norm Irwin. As a Royal Canadian Air Force pilot I came to know and admire people like Harold Kerby, Bunt Waddell and Ernie Moncrieff. Contemporarily, I knew Frank
"Bitsy" Grant and Gerry Spracklin.

As an example, on June 24 1943, in Sussex, England, I flew over from Redhill to Dunsfold - a fifteen minute flight - to have dinner with my uncle, Wing Commander Hank Burden, then the station commander. Bitsy Grant, who was making a name for himself as the champion train-buster, joined us. Our conversation, naturally: Mustang versus Spitfire and vice versa. After some persuasion, Hank allowed us to put it to the test; a mock dogfight - above the regulation height of 1000 feet (of course). Lots of fun with no harm done - a draw just as we expected. My Spitfire could out turn and out climb his Mustang but the latter could easily outzoom the former.

This easy-to-read history of 400 Squadron brings such memories easily to mind. It is a Very carefully and diligently recorded documentary which clearly illustrates how well the squadron has served our country for over 60 years and continues to do so. To all "Tomahawks" past, present and future, a well earned salute from an ex "Ram."

The condition of the book is generally good. The dust jacket has some minor scuffs, and light creasing, nibbling and wear along the edges and corners, but the spine is intact and all pages are clean, intact, unblemished and tightly bound.