OCTOBER 1940 I was out, free of my aircraft, tumbling wildly in the air.

I pulled the ripcord. I was jerked back by the parachute as air punched into it and I swung there like a puppet, winded and gasping for breath.

I looked down at my leg. It felt like a bear was gnawing on it but it was still in one piece.

For now, anyway. Then I heard it-right behind me. An Me 109 diving towards me, guns blazing. There was nothing I could do. Nowhere I could go. Shells whistled past me on either side. I just thought, OK then. if this is it, OK. Maybe my turn had finally come...