30 Facts About Paul Richey

Paul Richey was credited with having shot down at least ten aircraft.

Paul Richey wrote a well received book, Fighter Pilot, covering No 1 Squadron's involvement in the Battle of France.

In early 1942 Paul Richey was sent to No 56 Squadron to fly as a supernumerary pilot, and later in the year became commander of his former unit, No 609 Squadron.

Paul Richey commanded No 189 Wing in the Imphal Valley for several months before being repatriated to the United Kingdom in February 1944 for health reasons.

Paul Richey served in staff postings for the remainder of the war.

Paul Richey returned to military service in 1948, joining the Royal Auxiliary Air Force and soon commanding No 601 Squadron.

Paul Henry Mills Richey was born on 7 May 1916 in the United Kingdom, in the London suburb of Chelsea.

Paul Richey went to school at Downside School in Bath where one of his fellow pupils was the future flying ace Michael Robinson.

Paul Richey was promoted to flying officer on 4 January 1940.

Paul Richey had earlier in the day claimed a Do 17 as destroyed but this was not verified.

Paul Richey survived the subsequent crash-landing of his Hurricane and was repatriated to the United Kingdom for medical treatment.

Once Paul Richey had recovered from his wounds, he was posted to the RAF station at Middle Wallop as a fighter controller where he remained for three months.

Paul Richey was then sent to Aston Down to serve as an instructor at No 55 Operational Training Unit.

Paul Richey was unhappy at the posting, desiring a return to operational flying and eventually this was granted, with an assignment to No 609 Squadron in early April 1941.

Paul Richey, who was by this time married to Robinson's sister, was a flight commander in the squadron.

Paul Richey had been promoted to flight lieutenant earlier in the year.

Paul Richey was separated from the rest of the squadron in the engagement and flew back to the United Kingdom on his own, flying low level most of the way.

Paul Richey subsequently wrote a report with recommendations for tactical improvements in the handling of Spitfires which was forwarded to No 11 Group for consideration.

Paul Richey spent the remainder of the war in staff postings, firstly at Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force and then at the headquarters of Second Tactical Air Force.

Paul Richey ended the war credited with having shot down eleven German aircraft, one of which was shared with another pilot, while a further aerial victory was unconfirmed.

Paul Richey was credited with the probable destruction of two aircraft, one being shared, and damaging six German aircraft.

Paul Richey finished his service with the RAF in 1946 and took up employment with the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, responsible for the company's products provided to the aerospace industry in Europe.

Paul Richey subsequently worked as a correspondent for the Daily Express, commentating on aviation matters.

In July 1948, Paul Richey joined the Royal Auxiliary Air Force as a flight lieutenant.

Paul Richey served with the RAuxAF's No 601 Squadron, which was commanded by Sir Max Aitken, his employer at the Daily Express.

Paul Richey was transferred to the reserve in January 1952, thereby ceasing his command of No 601 Squadron.

Paul Richey retired from the military with effect from 20 July 1958.

Fond of France, Paul Richey spent much of his later years there, working on a book about French-English relations.

Paul Richey was appointed a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour in 1980.

Paul Richey was the brother of Michael Paul Richey, who served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War and wrote extensively on navigation matters as well as making a number of solo trans-Atlantic sailing voyages.