Terence O'Brien, an Australian, joined the RAF at 21. His first tour of operations was in northern France, defending French ports - in particular Brest Harbour. He later transferred to the Far East, where many units were accused of cowardice. O'Brien blames Command, which he believes was guilty of inefficiency, ignorance and stupidity, a view which was reinforced during his involvement in the fall of Burma, where the lack of preparation, he contends, was all too apparent. This is an account of a young combat pilot's war, depicting not only the drama of action but also the sickening smell of defeat. The author also wrote "Out of the Blue: a Pilot With the Chindits" and "The Moonlight War".