Day of the Flying Fox: The True Story of World War II Pilot Charley Fox.

Dave Jenkinson is a professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba and the author of the “Portraits” section of Emergency Librarian.

“Who is Charley Fox?” most adolescent readers might ask upon encountering this biography. The book’s subtitle and cover illustration clarify that Fox was a Spitfire pilot during World War II, but the book’s contents reveal that, although twice recognized with the Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery, Fox was not numbered among that war’s poster boys—the aces who had destroyed at least five enemy aircraft. In many ways, Fox, who was born in 1920, is representative of the thousands of young men who, dreaming of becoming glamorous fighter pilots, enlisted in the RCAF at the outbreak of the Second World War. Fox’s place in history, however, was confirmed following the war when it was determined that it was he who had strafed Field Marshal Erwin Rommel’s staff car in July 1944, thereby removing the Desert Fox from the war.

The bulk of the book’s contents focus on Fox’s pilot training, instructor’s role, and overseas combat postings, but the final two chapters and the epilogue briefly deal with Fox’s postwar life. Following the completion of the book, Fox died in an October 2008 car accident. Well-researched, Fox’s biography is a most lively read that is enhanced by numerous captioned black and white photos. As well, Pitt frequently interjects “Fascinating Fact” and “Wordplay” text boxes into his highly engaging prose. For today’s adolescents, for whom Second World War is truly history, these text boxes provide most useful and entertaining background information. Highly recommended.