A great many friends, colleagues, fellow researchers and others I have met along the path of this project have provided input and assistance with my preparation of this book. Without them my task would have been immeasurably harder. In no particular order of merit I would like to extend my humble thanks to the following:
Winston Ramsey, Norman Franks, Chris Goss, John Foreman, Ruth Bloom, Wing Commander B M E “Bernie” Forward OBE RAF(Rtd), Julius Heger, Simon Raikes, Natalia Dannenberg, Dr Alfred Price, Jessica Cobb, Philip Clark, Jim Allen, Paul Cole, Peter Cornwell, Peter Dimond, David Norman, Simon Parry, Philippa Wheeler, Gareth Jones, Tim Davies, Richard Barnstable, Vince Megicks, Flight Lieutenant Mary Hudson, Georges Goblet, Captain Doug Newman (Canadian Armed Forces), Kim Hemmingway, Liz Watts, Ron Scott, Graham Warner, Eddie Taylor, André Clerbout, John Crossland, Flight Lieutenant Keith Lawrence DFC, Donald Caldwell, Jean-Pierre Duriez, John Davies, Hannah Stuart, Tony Holmes, Alma Bostock, Dr Fiona Gabbert, Jack Misseldine, Andy Barton, Jim Underwood, Keith Dowle, Ray Brebner, Aldon P Ferguson and Steve Brew.
A special thank you is due to my old friend Peter Arnold for his advice on all matters relating to Spitfires and his valuable contribution to this work.
For his assistance on matters relating to the Polish participation during Circus 68 I must thank Wojtek Matusiak – not least of all for ensuring the correct spelling of Polish names!
I must also thank the late General Adolf Galland, Jeff West, Bob Morton and Gerhard Schoepfel.
I would also like to give special thanks to the Battle of Britain pilot Squadron Leader Peter Brown, AFC, who spent a good few hours – and over a long period of time – talking to me about various technical, tactical, strategic and historical issues. Peter, you certainly helped me get a number of things clearer in my head and were a willing pair of ears when it came to talking the various issues through.
Last, but by no means least, I am indebted to the late Squadron Leader L H “Buck” Casson DFC. Without his candour, without his contact with me over many years and without his account to me of events during that fateful day this book would never have been written. RIP, Blue One.
If I have unintentionally forgotten or omitted anyone then I offer my unreserved apologies.