Al Deere

After having joined the RAF in 1937, New Zealander Al Deere was in the thick of action right from the start of the war, serving with great distinction over France and Dunkirk in May and June of 1940 against the dreaded Messerschmitts. After surviving a crash-landing during a head-on attack he helped defend London and the south-east during the Battle of Britain effecting numerous escapes in tight combat situations.

He went on, variously, to command a flight in 602 Squadron, to lecture in Americ…