ESCAPE FROM TOBRUK: 38 DAYS DESERT TREK TO FREEDOM [1948] - presentation inscription to General Sir Pierre van Ryneveld

Staple-bound softcover.

52pp. Illustrated.

Author's presentation inscription on the inside of the front cover, "General Sir Pierre van Ryneveld KBE. CB. DSO. MC., with good wishes from the writer, L.H. Bailie, 24 Sep. 48."

General Sir Pierre van Ryneveld (1891-1972) was a South African military commander and founding commander of the South African Air Force. He started his military career in the First World War as a fighter pilot in the RAF. He saw action in France and the Middle East and was awarded the DSO and MC. He was mentioned is despatches and received a knighthood from the French government. After the war he was called back to South Africa by Jan Smuts in order to establish a South African Air Force (SAAF). He returned to South Africa in 1920 in what became a historic flight. Van Ryneveld, along with C.J. Quinton Brand, were the first people to fly from London to Cape Town. They were both knighted for this pioneering feat. During the Second World War Van Ryneveld served as Jan Smuts's Chief of General Staff.