Battle Of Britain: A Day To Day Chronicle, 10 July 31 October 1940

Description

From the bestselling author of Fighter Boys and Bomber Boys, this is a magisterial chronicle of a defining episode in British history: the epic struggle of the Royal Air Force with the Luftwaffe. Patrick Bishop's Battle of Britain is a compelling account of Britain's fight for national survival, from the shock defeat and evacuation from Dunkirk in May/June 1940 to fighter Command's assertion of superiority over the Luftwaffe in mid-September. Battle of Britain takes the reader through that summer day by day, revealing the ongoing battle's impact on flyers and civilians alike. By enhancing his narrative with eye-witness accounts, diary extracts and pilot profiles, Bishop brings the often horrific reality of air combat vividly to life. In Battle of Britain Patrick Bishop has written the definitive account of one of the pivotal moments in twentieth-century British history, and a nation's 'finest hour'.

Reviews

'Compelling ... a fascinating insight into the emotions and actions of those who took part on both sides ... A worthy memorial to the 'Few' ' Daily Telegraph.

Author description

Patrick Bishop has worked as senior correspondent for the Daily Telegraph. He is the author of The Irish Empire; the acclaimed book The Provisional IRA with Eamonn Mallie; the bestselling Fighter Boys; and most recently the best-selling Bomber Boys and 3 Para. He lives in London.

Table of contents

Introduction - A life and death struggle: history or myth? Origins. Watching, waiting... and withdrawing. Squaring up. Beginning the duel, 1 July to 16 July. Prodding and probing, 17 July to 31 July. Intensification, 1 August to 17 August. Hardest days, 18 August to 6 September. Culmination, 7 September to 31 October. Aftermath. Appendix A: Principal aircraft of the Battle of Britain. Appendix B: Battle of Britain tables. Notes. Index. Acknowledgements.