A Good Clean Fight

A Good Clean Fight follows RAF Hornet Squadron during their 1942 deployment to North Africa, where they conduct dangerous ground attacks to provoke engagement with the Luftwaffe. The novel interweaves three main storylines: the RAF pilots, an SAS patrol operating behind enemy lines, and a German intelligence officer's counter-operations. The story continues the journey of several characters from Robinson's previous novel Piece of Cake, including Squadron Leader "Fanny" Barton and intelligence officer "Skull" Skelton. The squadron has transitioned from flying Hurricanes to Curtiss P-40 Tomahawks and Kittyhawks as they face new challenges in the desert warfare environment. Robinson expands beyond his usual RAF focus to include perspectives from the SAS, Luftwaffe, and Afrika Korps, creating a multi-faceted view of the North African campaign. The narrative moves between British and German forces, revealing the complex nature of desert warfare and military intelligence operations. The novel explores themes of military leadership, the psychological impact of combat, and the thin line between tactical necessity and needless sacrifice. Through its diverse cast of characters, it presents the harsh realities of war without romanticization.

Readers appreciate the technical accuracy and detail about aerial combat during the North African campaign, with reviewers noting Robinson's research into RAF tactics and desert warfare. The dialogue and characterization receive praise, particularly for the mix of dark humor and realism in portraying both British and German perspectives. Fans highlight the moral complexity of the characters and lack of standard "good guy/bad guy" dynamics. Several reviews mention the authentic portrayal of pilot camaraderie. Common criticisms include the large cast of characters being hard to track and some find the pacing uneven, especially in ground combat sequences. A few readers note the ending feels abrupt. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (127 ratings) Amazon UK: 4.3/5 (52 reviews) Amazon US: 4.4/5 (31 reviews) "Does for the Desert Air Force what Catch-22 did for the USAAF" - Amazon reviewer "Too many characters dilute the impact" - Goodreads reviewer

Piece of Cake by Derek Robinson The story of a RAF fighter squadron during the Battle of Britain follows the same raw, unsentimental style and pilot camaraderie found in A Good Clean Fight.

The Hunters by James Salter This account of F-86 pilots during the Korean War captures the psychological strain and complex relationships between fighter pilots in combat.

Flight of the Intruder by Stephen Coonts The tale of A-6 Intruder pilots during Vietnam presents the same blend of tactical air combat and moral complexities faced by wartime aviators.

Wings Over Spain by Raymond Proctor This narrative of the Spanish Civil War's air battles provides historical context for the North African theater where A Good Clean Fight takes place.

The Last Enemy by Richard Hillary This memoir from a Spitfire pilot in World War II depicts the same unvarnished reality of aerial warfare and its effect on young airmen.

⚡ Robinson spent time as an RAF officer, which lends authenticity to his detailed descriptions of military aviation and squadron life ⚡ The Curtiss P-40 aircraft featured in the novel was nicknamed "Warhawk" by Americans and "Kittyhawk" by British and Commonwealth forces, becoming one of the most recognizable fighters of WWII ⚡ The SAS (Special Air Service) portrayed in the book was actually founded in North Africa in 1941 by David Stirling, specifically for desert warfare operations ⚡ The book is part of Robinson's RAF Quartet, alongside "Piece of Cake," "Damned Good Show," and "Hullo Russia, Goodbye England," each covering different periods of RAF history ⚡ The North African Campaign saw over 50,000 Allied casualties and 100,000 Axis casualties between 1940-1943, making it one of WWII's most significant theaters of war