Robert Sidney Bowen
Dave Dawson with the R.A.F.
"Dave Dawson with the R.A.F." by R. Sidney Bowen is a war adventure novel written in the early 1940s. The story centers around Dave Dawson and his friend Freddy Farmer, who are young pilots in the Royal Air Force during World War II. As they engage in intense aerial battles against the German Luftwaffe, the narrative weaves in themes of bravery, camaraderie, and the looming threat of invasion, setting the stage for high-stakes missions vital to the war effort. At the start of the book, we meet Dave Dawson on a beautiful summer day in September 1940, reflecting on his life as an R.A.F. pilot while preparing for an incoming enemy air raid. He shares a camaraderie with Freddy as they anticipate action against enemy aircraft. Their day takes a grim turn as they engage in a fierce dogfight, successfully downing two German Junkers planes. Following this action, the two pilots receive mysterious orders that lead them to a significant mission regarding an impending German invasion. The opening establishes the urgency and tension of wartime, highlighting the characters' resolve to protect their homeland, as they brace for challenges and explore themes of duty and heroism.