Time and Chance: An Autobiography

344 Pages·1978·42.482 MB·English

by  Peter Townsend

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an Autobiography
PeterTownsend
TIME
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CHANCE
Peter Townsend was a professional
airman, and one who adored his work.
When the war came he proved himselfa
brilliant fighter pilot; his description in
this book of the Battle of Britain
provides one of the most moving and
totally convincing evocations of aerial
warfare since Richard Hillary's Last
Enemy. He was as effective at planning
the battles ofothers as he wasatfighting
his own. A distinguished career in the
post-war airforce seemed his sure
destiny. And then, in February 1944, it
was decided to widen the range from
which the royal equerries were selected.
Group Captain Townsend, desperately
in need of a rest from flying, was put
forward for thejob. His assignment was
for three months: in the event it lasted
for eight years, destroyed his marriage
and hiscareerandchangedthecourseof
his life for ever. Peter Townsend
portrays his life in the royal household;
hisadmirationand affection forthe King
and Queen; the quirks and qualities of
his colleagues; the comradeship; the
jokes andjollities; the occasional

TIME AND CHANCE
An Autobiography
by the same author
Earth my Friend
Duel ofEagles
The Last Emperor
TIME AND CHANCE
An Autobiography
Peter Townsend
Methuen
(0)
New York Toronto London Sydney
Time and Chance byPeterTownsend
©
Copyright by PeterTownsend, 1978
All rights reserved. No part ofthis publication may
be reproduced, stored in a retrieval systemor
transmitted in any form orby any means,electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recordingorotherwise
without the priorwritten permission ofthe
Publisher.
Published in the United States by Methuen, Inc.
777 Third Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017
byarrangement with Editions Robert Laffont, Paris
LCCC 78-61629
ISBN0-458-93710-X
Printed and bound in the United StatesofAmerica
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To Marie-Luce and all my children