GOSHAWK SQUADRON by Derek Robinson

Note: I am not a paid reviewer, and I have purchased this title to read for my personal enjoyment.

The Goshawk Squadron is a loose-knit, free-wheeling, out of control fraternity brother version of a British WW1 flying squadron. Their leader is anti-hero Wooley, who batters them with physically demanding training and unrelenting mental cruelty. With literally no redeeming qualities, Wooley implores them to be murderers rather than victims, instructs them that there are absolutely no rules of warfare in the sky, and prohibits use of the word “fair.” His only concern for his men seems to be to beat into them the requisite fury to have a chance to survive. Rudimentary, though harrowing, WW1 aerial combat comes to life through anecdotal passages that portray the experiences of squadron members. Reckless, sometimes lawless, behavior and booze-sated sophomoric banter paints authentic images of young men who deal in death and try to maintain their sanity when out of the cockpit. Hard-edged wit and humor in dialogue exchanges among squadron members cut seem perfectly harmonious with gritty life or death battle scenes.