Canada’s Exceptional and Nearly Forgotten Fighter Leader.
Wing Commander Lloyd V. Chadburn was more than a fighter pilot – A natural leader, a fighter ace, and a fierce defender of the bombers that struck at occupied Europe. It was often felt that Chadburn’s presence made the difference between life and death for the men he escorted. American bomber crews nicknamed him The Angel as they felt his escort would guarantee them safe passage back home.
His rise was nothing short of extraordinary. Against all odds, Chadburn went from nearly washing out of flight school to earning his wings and proving himself as a high-performing combat leader, ending as one of Canada’s highest decorated airmen of the Second World War.
He became the youngest Squadron Leader in the RCAF and the first graduate of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan to command at such a level. His leadership of his Squadron during the Dieppe raid was key to his Squadron earning recognition as the most successful RCAF unit that day.
As Wing Commander, he led the Digby Wing through the grueling “Continuous Offensive” in 1943, striking at German transportation and defenses behind the Atlantic Wall. During the preparations for D-Day, Chadburn now commanded 127 RCAF Wing leading Spitfires that had transitioned from air superiority fighters to ground-attack specialists, dive-bombing enemy positions in the days leading up to the Allied invasion.
Yet, Chadburn’s story isn’t just one of military triumphs. It is also the personal story behind the brave leader. It’s the story of a man who carried heartbreak, a lost love, and the secret of a son he never knew. He was respected not only for his skill but for his ability to inspire loyalty among his men who would follow him into any mission without question.
On June 13, 1944, just days after leading his wing over Normandy’s beaches, Chadburn’s career and life came to a sudden end. A chance mid-air collision over France with one of his own Spitfires robbed the RCAF of one of its finest leaders. His legacy endures in the stories of the men he led and the unbreakable bond he built with those who flew alongside him.
Drawing on newly connected material, Angel in a Spitfire goes beyond Chadburn’s military career, revealing the man behind the legend. This book revisits Chadburn’s extraordinary life, bringing to light his long-overlooked story. His story has largely faded from public memory and this book restores his rightful place among Canada’s great warriors. More than just a war biography, Angel in a Spitfire appeals to both casual readers and history buffs with its capture of wartime period life.
- Heavily researched from original source material from Allied and Luftwaffe archives
- Features logbook entries and letters home to his mother which capture his spirit
- Many photographs from Chadburn’s personal collection that have never been seen before
- Interviews and correspondence with many contemporaries provide detailed background information
- Each of his victories in the air is described in detail with thrilling aerial and ground attack combat descriptions
- New insights and investigation reveal new truths about some of his legendary exploits
“Leadership is just a word, until you meet Wing Commander Chadburn” – Flight Lieutenant Jackie Rae, fighter pilot, radio and TV personality
ISBN 978-1-069301-00-0 (Paperback) 280 pages C$30.00
ISBN 978-1-069301-01-7 (Kindle ePub) C$9.99
Available through Amazon in Canada, the USA, the UK and at your local Amazon store.
This volume is much more than a retelling of the story from Gone is the Angel. This book, with 50% more text and triple the number of photographs (many not seen before) vividly expands on the legacy of “The Angel” with much more information..
Top photo: excerpt from original painting “Close Escort” by Peter Robichaud, Halifax, NS
Tremendous work in completing the story of this important Canadian WW2 pilot! I look forward to hearing you speak about Wing Commander Chadburn and to also get a copy of your new book.