The Battle of Britain June-October 1940: An Oral History of Britain's Finest Hour

Publisher and industry reviews

Jacket review

The Express '... fascinating history' 4/8

UK Kirkus review

This is a fascinating collection of interviews with, and letters from, the survivors from both sides of the Battle of Britain in 1940. These recollections of crucial moments in the conflict provide a stark reminder of those dark days. Beginning with the costly, painful lessons over France and especially Dunkirk, the book moves on to the very real threat of invasion. France had fallen, along with many of the Allies. The Army had been badly mauled and had left most of its hardware on the Continent. The Royal Navy knew it could only defeat an invasion if the R.A.F. did not lose the war in the air. Goering, commanding the German Luftwaffe, also knew that invasion could only succeed if the R.A.F. was destroyed. Those who heeded the call were not heroes; they were simply men - and women - who refused to bow to the aggressor. Parker covers many subjects in this book: the sense of loss, the stiffening of resolve, lucky escapes, battle against overwhelming odds, the 'live for today' mentality and the pride in a job well done. Americans believed that Britain would not survive and were reluctant to offer credit for the purchase of weapons by a country they thought would soon be defeated. Churchill battled to win the Americans over, and his personal efforts were to pay off later on in the conflict. However, between July and October 1940 Britain stood alone. Rationing, the blackout and an uncertain future were counterbalanced by a gathering of support behind British pilots (who often enjoyed free drinks at any public house they entered). They epitomized the resolve of the home front, and began to take the fight to Hitler. The propaganda effect of inflated 'kill' figures helped to encourage a belief that Britain would come through victorious. The press baron Lord Beaverbrook was put in charge of Hurricane and Spitfire production. He slashed red tape and increased output to undreamed-of levels. At one point the pilots' training period was slashed to less than four weeks, and many pilots only flew one sortie - their first. But their bravery was never in doubt. This oral history is full of understated commentary, and not one pilot shows signs of bravado; even the Victoria Cross-winning pilot who refused to bale out of his burning fighter to finish off a German aircraft calmly comments that he had a job to do. When the codeword went out to expect invasion, fog in the Channel thwarted the Germans. Exhausted R.A.F. pilots rested, then the targets of the German bombers switched to London, after Goering, who had promised no bombs would fall on Berlin, was ordered to retaliate by Hitler. The Blitz gave the R.A.F. a chance to recover, although they could do little to stop the night bombing of London. Invasion plans were stalled as the resolve of those being bombed stiffened, aided by R.A.F. bombing raids, including that on waiting invasion barges on the Continent. So a freak weather change thwarted Hitler. Like the Battle of Waterloo, the Battle of Britain was a 'damned close thing'. Britain stood alone and, so we believe, defiant. Not so - at least not immediately. After France fell, attempts as finding a peaceful solution were entertained. Churchill judged the mood of the country just right. His famous speeches about fighting 'with growing confidence and strength in the air' was a battle cry to those who could contribute - women in the WAAF and radar stations, the Hurricane and Spitfire pilots, the foreign pilots who made a valiant contribution (such as Poles, fired up with revenge), Air Raid Wardens, the Home Guard, and the Navy. This book salutes the survivors and those who made the supreme sacrifice. It also highlights the ordinary men and women who chose to stand up and be counted. This is one of the proudest parts of Britain's heritage. (Kirkus UK)