Foreword

EDITOR'S FOREWORD
Anthony Hallett's "Flying Memories"

Although I can claim to have seen 198 Squadron RAF's Hawker Typhoons in flight it would be impossible for me, given my age, to know what it was like to fly one first hand. History records it was not an aircraft for the faint hearted and took a pilot with more than just above average skills to fly it in battle. It is only since the end of the Second World War it has become generally known that it could be a potential death trap for anyone who flew it. What would modern day "Health and Safety" organisations have to say if it was entering RAF service today?
Still, the Hawker Typhoon when armed with 60lb High Explosive rocket projectiles proved itself an excellent ground attack fighter-bomber and this is borne out by its highly successful use during the liberation of Western Europe in 1944.

Anthony "Tony" Hallett joined 198 Squadron RAF in January 1944 and served with the Squadron until his tour of operations finished at the beginning of November that year. He saw many of 198's greatest moments and also some of its worst as June and August brought the Squadron almost crippling losses in pilots and aircraft. His "Flying Memories" of these events were originally published on the "Association of 198 Squadron RAF Pilots & Ground Crews" website but for various reasons have now been placed on this specially dedicated site and expanded with additional photographs, enlargements, and a television interview he made in 2005.

Given the pace of modern life, and the passing of time, it is not surprising that younger generations do not understand exactly what those of World War 2 went through to secure the democratic freedoms of today. Sometimes amusing, sometimes sad, in the following pages Tony recalls the good and bad times in an autobiography it was tempting to call, "To be a Fighter Pilot."

Website Editor
Association of 198 Squadron RAF Pilots & Ground Crews