The skies over El Alamein erupted in January 1942. Squadron Leader Andrew 'Nicky' Barr, already an ace with eight confirmed victories, led his P-40 Kittyhawk into the fray. Known as 'Old Nick' - a nod to the devil himself - for his daring tactics, Barr had built a fearsome reputation among friend and foe alike.

Barr's keen eyes spotted an enemy fighter as Allied bombers pressed towards their target. In a heartbeat, his machine guns blazed to life, sending another German fighter plummeting to the desert below.

Suddenly, Barr witnessed one of his squadron mates spiraling toward the unforgiving desert. Without hesitation, he dove to protect his fallen comrade. Two Italian fighters appeared, challenging the Australian ace. Barr's Kittyhawk danced through the sky, accurately claiming a second victory of the day.

But as Barr descended to attempt a daring rescue, two Messerschmitts swooped down, intent on ending his mission. In a furious dogfight, Barr managed to blast one from the sky. Before he could celebrate, two more German fighters joined the battle.

Enemy fire found its mark, setting Barr's aircraft ablaze and wounding him. Despite his injuries and the barrage of bullets tearing through his Kittyhawk, Barr wrestled with the controls of his battered fighter. As the vast, desolate landscape rushed up to meet him, he braced for a violent crash landing. Even if he survived, the merciless enemy-riddled desert stretched endlessly below…



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