MUCH of the historical knowledge possessed by so many of us is gleaned from the reading of historical novels.

To be in the possession of precise data, of course, will usually require the perusal of factual history tomes, but an overall picture of times past can be gained by reading top quality historical fiction.

Not all such books are of quality, mind you; many do a 'Hollywood', taking basic historical fact but then twisting —at times, battering — it into a shape which falls into line with prejudiced ideology, creating often lurid tales which have an exceedingly weak grasp on reality.

Such criticism cannot be levelled at 'One day In June'; the opposite is the case, for author Colin Beazley has gone to the greatest lengths to weave a tale, essentially of love, mired deeply in accurate, at times minute, historical fact.

Towards this end, he has consulted with many of those who actually fought the war, the central character of the novel being a navigator in a Halifax bomber, the storyline having him shot down over occupied France in 1940.

From this springs a tale of terror, heroism, tragedy, love and the consequences of such both during and after the war.

The lengths the author has gone to in pursuit of realism becomes apparent to the reader when glancing at the page of acknowledgements close to the front cover; over 30 individual men and women are mentioned, as well as several museums and archives, one of the air force veteran consultees being a resident in Sheepwash until his sad death just a few months ago.

Also, unusually for a work of fiction, Colin Beazley includes at the back of the publication several pages of pertinent statistics regarding many factors of the role played by all the armed forces, their theatres of operation and losses; statistics on the home front, a wider summary of intriguing facts concerning other combatant nations, plus a comprehensive glossary.

Much of the author's determination to pursue the path of accuracy is clearly down to his desire that this novel pays homage to bomber command, and it is more than a co-incidence it is published in the same year that a national memorial is dedicated to the men and women of this command who lost their lives during the second world war.

The unveiling and dedication of this memorial will take place in London's Green Park on Thursday June 28.

Colin Beazley uses the authentic war scenario as a bleak but powerful backdrop to a story of immense drama and power, central to which is the deep love between a fugitive RAF navigator trying to evade capture by the Nazis with the help of valiant French farming folk, and the daughter of the said family, Brigitte; it is the clear accuracy of the description of bombing raids and the dangerous terrain that was occupied France which, when allied to the author's perceptive, succinct, descriptive style, makes this a novel guaranteed to hold the attention and the emotion throughout — almost 350 pages of a very tidy, professional production.

The story is given extra poignancy by the latter chapters being devoted to the post war years when the navigator, his air force service behind him, returns to the village, family and sweetheart who had done so much for his salvation during the torrid time after having been shot down; peacetime though it might be, the dramatic intensity of the story is in no way diminished.

A most satisfying, thought provoking read.

'One Day In June' by Colin Beazley, published by Four Books of Chumleigh, Devon ISBN 978-0-9571396-0-2 is available at Book Stop in Tavistock or as an E-book on Amazon, priced £7.

It will also be available at the 'Forties' weekend at Eggesford Airfield, near Wembworthy, Winkleigh on Saturday July 28, where Colin Beazley will be signing copies at an evocative event which 'Steps Back' to the times of the second world war in terms of costumes, music, aircrafts, vehicles and so much more.

Ted Sherrell