The Big Show - Pierre Clostermann - 1st Edition
This hardcover, dustjacketed example, published by Chatto & Windus, is in overall very nice condition given its age, with only a few minor tears, and spine rub. It is, to its credit, a lovely example and rare as a first edition from 1951. As one of the very first post-war fighter pilot memoirs, it has been published in various editions and has sold over two and a half million copies as a title. However first editions are incredibly rare and sought after. William Faulkner, the celebrated US author, commented that this is, in his opinion, the finest aviation book to come out of World War II.
Pierre-Henri Clostermann DSO, DFC & Bar (28 February 1921 – 22 March 2006) was a World War II French ace fighter pilot, who joined the Free French Air Force in the United Kingdom in March 1942. After training at RAF Cranwell and 61 OTU, Clostermann, a sergeant pilot, was posted in January 1943 to No. 341 Squadron RAF (known to the Free French as Groupe de Chasse n° 3/2 "Alsace"), flying the Supermarine Spitfire, claiming33 air-to-air combat victories, and earning the accolade "France's First Fighter" from General Charles de Gaulle.
In October 1943, Clostermann received a commission as an officer, and was assigned to the British No. 602 Squadron RAF, remaining with the unit for the next ten months. He flew a variety of operations including fighter sweeps, bomber escorts, high-altitude interdiction over the Royal Navy's Scapa Flow base, and strafing or dive-bombing attacks on V-1 launch sites on the French coast. He flew air-cover for the Normandy Landings, and, on 11 June, was one of the first Free French pilots to land on French soil.
On 12 May 1945 during a victory fly-past to mark the war's conclusion, another Tempest collided with his, and as a result an air pile-up occurred with four close formation low-flying aeroplanes of his flight involved, with three pilots being killed. Clostermann bailed out, his parachute opening just a few metres above the ground. He continued operations with No. 122 Wing RAF until he left the military altogether on 27 July 1945 with the RAF rank of Wing Commander and the French rank of Lieutenant.