Lone Wolf

Dive into the gripping biography of Flt Lt Richard Stevens, the remarkable 'Lone Wolf' of the RAF during World War II. Discover the life of this legendary nightfighter pilot who achieved unparalleled success against the odds. Known affectionately as 'Cat's Eyes', Richard Stevens led an extraordinary campaign, boasting fourteen confirmed victories, all accomplished without radar or a crew member to assist him. Using nothing but his remarkable instincts, courage, and marksmanship, Stevens revolutionized the tactics of night fighting. Tragically, his life was cut short only days after his Distinguished Service Order (DSO) was gazetted, leaving a legacy that would inspire generations. This meticulously researched biography, curated by Andy Saunders with contributions from Terry Thompson, provides an in-depth look at one of the most skilled pilots in Fighter Command. Perfect for military aviation enthusiasts and history buffs alike, this book brings to life the bravery and skill that defined an era of air warfare. Uncover the secrets of the skies and honor the memory of a true hero with this essential addition to your collection of World War II literature.

Author: Andy Saunders Publisher: Grub Street
Bind: hardback
Dimensions: 170 x 240 mm
Pages: 192
Publication Date: 26-12-2019

During the Second World War, Flt Lt Richard Stevens led an extraordinary campaign as an RAF nightfighter. Known to contemporaries as ‘Cat’s Eyes’ and by the height of his success in July 1941 as the ‘Lone Wolf’, Flt Lt Stevens was the RAF’s highest scoring nightfighter pilot with fourteen victories. What makes his story unique is that all this was achieved without the aid of radar or another crew member. Instead Flt Lt Stevens used extraordinary skill, instinct and innate marksmanship. Tragically his success was cut short by his untimely death on the night of 15/16 December 1941 - three days after his DSO was gazetted. The tributes paid to him after his death demonstrate the impact he had upon night fighting. Described as ‘one of the greatest nightfighter pilots who ever fought in Fighter Command’ by Sir Archibald Sinclair, Secretary of State for Air and with Air Vice-Marshal B. E. Embry also crediting ‘his high standard of courage and skill as a nightfighter pilot’ as a contribution to the final defeat of the enemy at night - it is not hard to see why Stevens was greatly admired by his peers. Thanks to over twenty years of painstaking research by Terry Thompson and a rich resource of documentation and photography, Andy Saunders is now able to tell the exceptional story of one of Britain’s finest night-flying pilots of the Second World War. This extraordinary biography will be eagerly devoured by military aviation enthusiasts and students of air warfare and Second World War alike.