Six Weeks of Blenheim Summer is a vivid and unique memoir of life as an RAF reconnaissance pilot in France during the hellish summer of 1940, as the Germans marched into first Belgium and then France. It brings to life the fear, loneliness, pain and terrible sadness Panton and his comrades came to live with during those long weeks, as well as drawing on the bravery, camaraderie and humanity which made those unpredictable days more bearable. The aeroplane Alastair Panton captained throughout this intense period was a Bristol Blenheim Mark IV and this is very much the story of a pilot and his plane. He saw his Blenheim as his friend and hero. It was the vehicle from which he and his crew were able to spot the enemy and subsequently save lives.

Author Biography

Alastair Dyson Panton was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1939. His bravery was recognised with an OBE in 1950 and a CBE in 1969. By the time of his retirement in 1971 he was Provost marshal and Head of RAF Security. He died in December 2002.