Diary of Pilot Officer John Derek Bisdee, 8 May 1940-24 December 1940

John Bisdee was a fighter pilot with No. 609 Squadron in 1940. His diary records his involvement in the air fighting over Dunkirk in May and June 1940 and later in the Battle of Britain.

The diary provides fascinating insights into the life of an RAF fighter pilot during the Battle of Britain. Not only does Bisdee record the aerial fighting in which he participates, but also lighter moments, such as when he and a friend had 24 hours leave and went dancing in Exeter where he had an 'amazing time' and '..found an enthusiastic dancer... who left her army escort, much to his annoyance'. Bisdee would become a fighter ace with eight claimed victories, he left the RAF in 1945 as a Group Captain, and returned to work at Unilever.