Whilst researching the “Brechin War Hero” story I stumbled across an absolute gold mine. A book written by Alastair Dyson Panton and bought to life by his granddaughter Victoria Panton Bacon. Alastair Panton, was the pilot of the Bristol Blenheim on reconnaissance duties when it was shot down by Messerschmitts on 11th May 1940. Flying Officer Panton subsequently evaded capture along with his crew Sgt John Christie and Aircraft-man 2nd Class  R W Bence .

In the book Flying Officer Panton, as he was then, details his role in the ill fated Battle of France during the summer of 1940. He wrote about his experiences during that short period including being shot down four times. On the last occasion he was captured and spent the rest of the war as a prisoner of war,  two periods in Stalag Luft III and one in Oflag XXII. Victoria Panton learnt little of his exploits from her grandfather first hand. It was only after the death of her own father that she discovered amongst her father`s possessions, the memoir of her grandfather. The result is a captivating read telling the story of one man’s involvement in a battle that was ultimately lost but whose victims are just as worthy of remembering and commemorating as those of battles won.

My particular interest is in the 11th May 1940 and his involvement with his observer / navigator John Christie. From the details contained within this book I was able to fill in many of the missing pieces in the Brechin Hero Story and for that I am really grateful.

Six Weeks of Blenheim Summer,  an RAF Officer’s Memoir of the Battle of France 1940, is  published in English by Biteback publishing.