THE NEW BOOKS.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20230, 26 June 1937, Page 20 (Supplement)

THE NEW BOOKS.

“MAC’S MEMOIRS.”

His Flying Life. SQUADRON-LEADER McGREGOR. AN EXCELLENT BIOGRAPHY. Besides being an excellent biography of one of New Zealand’s most famous sons, “Mac’s Memoirs; The Flying Life of Squadron-Leader McGregor,” will make an irresistible appeal, because of the story of adventure during the war, because it contains a wonderful record of the pioneering of New Zealand air travel, because there is a stirring account of the air race from England to Melbourne and because of its splendid illustrations. “Mac” was affectionately known and respected throughout the Dominion and this book of memoirs will be eagerly sought, but it is anticipated that the greatest demand will be in the Waikato. Although a quiet, unassuming man, who was not personally known to a very large circle in this territory, by his exploits during the war, in New Zealand commercial aviation, and the great air race, he made the people of the Waikato proud that he was one of them. The memoir was written by Dr. G. H. Cunningham, a personal friend, who gathered his material with difficulty over a long period. The unvarnished tale of the aviator’s exploits provides sufficient excitement and adventure for many books, yet there are no heroics and no exaggerations. The author has carefully checked every item, making the book authoritative and thus a worthy memorial to “Mac.” The life of a pilot at the war from early in 1917 until the Armistice, except for a few months in hospital and one week’s leave, is described in the first section. The pilot being “Mac,” who was attached to the famous 85th Squadron, commanded first by Major immimmiim'iimiiiimmiiiiimiiiimm

| Bishop V.C. and then by Major Mannock V.C., makes this insight into airfighting intensely interesting. Some lof the pranks of “Mac” and his colleagues (including Squadron-Leader K. L. Caldwell) are features of this section, while not the least astonishing episode is the first-hand account of anotdier New Zealand pilot, who, following a collision in a dog-fight at 16,000 feet, righted his machine from a 10,000 feet spin, and land unharmed. The next section is devoted to “Mac’s” commercial aviation experiences in New Zealand, and it is interesting to note that with his total flying hours of 3,527, his longest hours were for the Hamilton Airways Limited, for whom he flew 975 hours. Other long hours flown were 517 hours in France, 423 hours for the Manawatu Aero Club, 280 hours In England and 128 hours In the Air Race.

The third section of the book is an account of the great air race from Mildenhall to Melbourne, most of the details for which were obtained from Mac's co-pilot, Mr H. C. Walker. This interesting history gives intimate details of the courage, fortitude and humour of the New Zealand airman who only a few months previously, had resumed flying after leaving the Palmerston North Hospital where he had been for many months with a broken back. A descriptive account of the progress of aviation in New Zealand oyer the past four years, with the equipment and personnel of the companies operating is followed by an account of McGregor’s fatal crash. The book is an authoritative account of war life, commercial aviation in New Zealand and the great air race and for this reason alone is well worth reading, but when the intimate details of the life and interests of “Mac” are added the book should make a very wide appeal. Profits arising from the sale of this book will be devoted to the McGregor Memorial Fund for support of his wife and children. , “Mac’s Memoirs: The Flying Life of Squadron-Leader McGregor.” By Dr. G. H. Cunningham. Messrs A. H. and A. W. Reed, Dunedin and Wellington.—P.A.W.