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SPITFIRE: Operation Dynamo. A WWII Short Story of Courage and Survival Kindle Edition
From the author of the WW2 Novels, THE BEAUTY SHOP and MADAME FIOCCA, comes a gripping, heart wrenching story of a Spitfire pilot caught up in the storm of the Dunkirk evacuations in France, 1940.
May 1940: Hitler’s blitzkrieg storms through France, forcing Allied forces into retreat towards the coast at Dunkirk. With nowhere left to flee, thousands of soldiers wait on the beaches for rescue while the Luftwaffe bomb and strafe from the skies above.
Churchill is determined to rescue as many men as possible, for without her army, Britain is sunk. A plan is hatched to evacuate the men from the beaches by sea, but it will take the combined strength of all the forces to ensure its success.
Sam, a young RAF Spitfire pilot flies sorties daily over France, engaging the enemy in the skies over Dunkirk. He is determined to protect the men trapped on the beaches below and give them a fighting chance of returning to home shores.
Day after day he returns to base when others do not. He witnesses friends shot down by the Luftwaffe, sometimes lost at sea. And each time he wonders when his luck will run out, yet still, he returns to the hell in the skies. Survival is Victory, friendship a daily sacrifice.
Remember the glorious “Few” by reading about those remarkable times, and in doing so, remember all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for freedom and humanity. Lest We Forget.
An emotional and evocative 20th century tale of the courage and heroism of Churchill's "Few" based on true events. Perfect for fans of Robert Radcliffe and Laura Hillenbrand.
“A short adrenaline rush of a story. This brief snapshot of a Spitfire pilot and his squadron’s sorties over Dunkirk brings back all those wonderful memories of the bravest of the brave. Thoroughly recommended for lovers of WWII flying. Five ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars for a wonderful trip down memory lane.” Amazon Review.
"The author skilfully evokes wartime England, and the tension is palpable." Amazon Review.
“A fabulous story based on history which puts you in the cockpit, the early morning wake-up call, and the beer hall from the previous night. A well written story from a delightful author who leaves no detail out.” Amazon Review.
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateMay 4, 2020
- File size2.4 MB
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"A thoroughly enjoyable short story that seems to condense an age into 24 hours in the life of Spitfire pilot Sam, in 1940 England. He mourns the loss of his roommate, Kit, shot down over Dunkirk, as if he were a long standing friend - but a three week friendship is a lifetime for pilots who live on the edge, risking their lives every time they take to the skies. The author skilfully evokes wartime England and the tension is palpable." -- Tim W ★★★★★
"Great, fast moving short story. I loved the immediacy of it. Lots of wonderful Spitfire detail." -- Susi Q ★★★★★
"A fabulous story based on history which puts you in the cockpit, the early morning wake up call, and the beer hall from the previous night. You stagger along with the pilot who has just exited his Spitfire to lean against its bullet riddled frame trying to regain his balance. Your heart will break as those pilots long for just one more time at home eating a meal with family and loved ones and wishing their roommate had made it back safely. A well written story from a delightful author who leaves no detail out." -- Sherry M ★★★★★
"A short adrenaline rush of a story. Having both parents in the RAF, I grew up on an early diet of Biggles and graduated to my all time favourite Reach For The Sky as well as The Dam Busters and Enemy Coast Ahead, to name just a couple.
This brief snapshot of a Spitfire pilot and his squadron's sorties over Dunkirk brings back all those wonderful memories of the bravest of the brave. Thoroughly recommended for lovers of WWII flying." Mark C ★★★★★
Product details
- ASIN : B0882NV58J
- Publisher : Avis Press
- Accessibility : Learn more
- Publication date : May 4, 2020
- Language : English
- File size : 2.4 MB
- Simultaneous device usage : Unlimited
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 27 pages
- Page Flip : Enabled
- Best Sellers Rank: #2,132,460 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #683 in World Literature Short Stories
- #1,018 in Historical Irish Fiction
- #1,249 in Historical Fiction Short Stories (Kindle Store)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Suzy Henderson is the author of The Beauty Shop, Madame Fiocca, and SPITFIRE, novels which are set during the turbulent times of World War Two. She also writes romance and recently released a novella, Christmas in the Highlands, a best seller on Amazon UK.
Her debut novel, The Beauty Shop, was awarded the B.R.A.G. Medallion. It is based on the true story of pioneering plastic surgeon, Sir Archibald McIndoe, and the Guinea Pig Club – an exclusive club for RAF pilots and airmen who required plastic surgery as a result of their war injuries and were under the care of this enigmatic New Zealander.
Madame Fiocca is also based on a true story. This gripping adventure follows the tempestuous life of SOE heroine, Nancy Wake before and during the Second World War.
Suzy lives with her family on the edge of the Lake District, where she can be found rambling around lakes, country lanes or roaming the fells. Armed with a pen, a love of reading and a growing obsession with military and aviation history, she is often lost in the 1940s, writing historical fiction.
To receive all Suzy's latest book news, do join her reading group here & claim a free story: https://www.suzyhenderson.com
Please do catch up with me on social media here: https://twitter.com/Suzy_Henderson
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSuzyHenderson
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
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- Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2021NOTE: Goodreads marked this review with a ** spoiler alert ** but that would be only if you know nothing about Dunkirk's rescue efforts.
A short story from the author Suzy Henderson outlining Operation Dynamo, Churchill's answer to the stranded, outnumbered allied troops trapped on the beach at Dunkirk. 340,000 men were rescued by Britishers in little boats, a feat that gave Britain a chance to win the war. Without those allied troops rescued by British fishermen and pleasure boat owners, the war would have been lost for sure. Ms. Henderson has several novels set in WWII Europe, many of which I own on Kindle. If you have a WWII interest, she draws a wonderfully complete picture of the events and people who contributed to the winning of this world war.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2021A fabulous story based on history which puts you in the cockpit, the early morning wake up call, and the beer hall from the previous night. You stagger along with the pilot who has just exited his Spitfire to lean against its bullet riddled frame trying to regain his balance. Your heart will break as those pilots long for just one more time at home eating a meal with family and loved ones and wishing their roommate had made it back safely. A well written story from a delightful author who leaves no detail out.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2021Some say the Spitfire flies you and I think they are spot on.
What an amazing feat that the RAF accomplished in May 1940. Operation Dynamo was set in place to evacuate the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk. It is said that without the RAF many more would have died.
This novella was published by Avis Press. My comments were in no way solicited.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2020A short adrenaline rush of a story. Having both parents in the RAF, I grew up on an early diet of Biggles and graduated to my all time favourite Reach For The Sky as well as The Dam Busters and Enemy Coast Ahead, to name just a couple.
This brief snapshot of a Spitfire pilot and his squadron’s sorties over Dunkirk brings back all those wonderful memories of the bravest of the brave. Thoroughly recommended for lovers of WWII flying.
Five ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars for a wonderful trip down memory lane.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2021A well-written short story. Great attention given to details enhanced the read.
Top reviews from other countries
- Joni MartinsReviewed in the United Kingdom on June 27, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Another great WW2 story based on real-life.
Book Review
Basic Details:
Book Title: Spitfire
Subtitle: A WWII Short Story
Author: Suzy Henderson
Genre: Historic fiction
Part of a series? No
Order in series:
Best read after earlier books in series?
Overall score:
I scored this book 5/5
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Short Summary of the book:
Like the other two books I’ve read by this author, this book is based on real-life events. It tells us about the real-life terror of WW2 for the Spitfire pilots. This is another great book.
What I liked about the book:
The book is easy to read and a page-turner.
What I didn’t like about the book:
I loved the entire book.
My favourite bits in the book:
I enjoyed the entire story.
My least favourite bits in the book:
The book was enjoyable in its entirety.
Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?
This is the third book I’ve read from this author’s hand.
What books could this be compared to and why?
This book continues in the same style of the other two books by this author. They are great reads for those wishing to know more about the second world war.
Recommendation:
In summary, I would recommend this book for the following readers:
Children No
Young Adult Yes
Adult Yes
If you like historic fiction based on real-life, this book may be the book for you.
- SusiQReviewed in Germany on May 8, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Spitfire!
Great, fast moving short story. I loved the immediacy of it. Lots of wonderful Spitfire detail.
- Tim WalkerReviewed in the United Kingdom on June 9, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Riveting Snapshot of a Pilot's Life in Wartime
A thoroughly enjoyable short story that seems to condense an age into 24 hours in the life of Spitfire pilot Sam, in 1940 England. He mourns the loss of his roommate, Kit, shot down over Dunkirk, as if he were a long standing friend - but a three week friendship is a lifetime for pilots who live on the edge, risking their lives every time they take to the skies. The author skilfully evokes wartime England and the tension is palpable.
- IckyplushReviewed in the United Kingdom on March 21, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Fast-paced tale of sorties over Dunkirk.
I loved this story. Spitfire sorties over Dunkirk. Can’t wait to read The Beauty Shop, especially as it holds a special place in my heart: I interviewed on of McIndoe’s Guinea-pigs for a school history paper. Top of the list on my TBR pile.
- ChrisReviewed in the United Kingdom on October 10, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars A brief snapshot of Dunkirk
A brief snapshot of the life of a pilot during the early days of ww2, well written and concise short story