Our History

Once Upon a Time in War with Melody Foreman

In this episode of the Fighting High Podcast, Steve speaks with author Melody Foreman about her lifelong fascination with wartime stories and the human experiences behind them. Drawing on her background in journalism, biography, and storytelling, Melody explores how memory, artefacts, and personal histories shape her work. She reflects on writing A Spitfire Girl and her relationship with ATA pilot Mary Ellis, highlighting themes of modesty, courage, and resilience. The conversation also covers her research into actors and filmmakers in wartime, revealing how conflict shaped creative lives.

Central to the discussion is her new book, Love as Strong as Death, which tells the intertwined stories of war artist Eric Ravilious and pilot Ginge Culver. Through letters, loss, and love, Melody examines the emotional realities of war, emphasizing storytelling as a powerful way to connect past and present.

Love as Strong as Death is released in June 2026 and available from the Fighting High website www.fightinghigh.com

Remembrance

Spitfire Ace Leonard Haines DFC

In this special remembrance episode, Fighting High tells the story of Flying Officer Leonard Archibald Haines DFC—Battle of Britain ace, leader, and one of Fighter Command’s young heroes. Drawing on his vivid combat reports and deeply personal letters, we follow Leonard from the chaos of Dunkirk through the height of the Battle of Britain, where he claimed multiple victories in the skies over southern England.

But alongside the precision of combat, his letters reveal something more: the voice of a very young pilot—eager, humorous, and determined to do his part.

Newly married and decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross, Leonard’s story does not end in combat, but in tragedy, during a training flight in April 1941.

This episode brings together action and humanity, offering a powerful portrait of a young man at war—and a life cut short.

We will remember him.

Leonards combat reports are taken from the respective chapter in the book Fighting High - WW2 Air Battle Europe.

Leonard's letter excerpts are sourced from the Haines, Leonard Archibald Collection, held in the Ball State University Libraries, Archives and Special Collections - and are reproduced with their permission.

Insights

Light Night Striking Force: The Mosquito Menace

In this episode of the Fighting High Podcast, we explore the story of the Light Night Striking Force—Bomber Command’s fast and highly effective Mosquito force. Joined by author Sean Feast, we trace its evolution from a small diversionary force into a precision striking arm.

Flying the versatile Mosquito, these crews combined speed, skill, and innovation to deliver powerful attacks with remarkable efficiency. We also examine the experienced men behind the missions and challenge long-held assumptions about the force within a force.

This is the story of how a modest idea became one of the most effective elements of the Allied air offensive.

(Senior commanders mentioned in the podcast are: Air Vice Marshal Donald Clifford Tyndall Bennett, CB, CBE, DSO (8 Group); Air Chief Marshal Sir Ralph Alexander Cochrane, GBE, KCB, AFC (5 Group); Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Arthur Travers Harris, 1st Baronet, GCB, OBE, AFC (AOC-in-C Bomber Command).)

The podcast is hosted by Steve Darlow and details of Steve's and Sean's books can be found on www.fightinghigh.com

Details of the two books mentioned in the podcast - Mosquito Down! by Frank Dell and Brett Piper, and Resolute by George Dunn, Ferris Newton and Steve Darlow - can be found on www.fightinghigh.com

(Picture of Guy Lockhart in the graphic is copyright Sean Feast.)