Customer Reviews

Air Battle Dunkirk

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The role RAF fighter units played in the 'Operation Dynamo' evacuation of British and French troops from Dunkirk in May/June 1940 is the subject of Norman Franks' book. Originally published in 1983 the book was revised and updated for this 60th anniversary edition.

From 26 May to 3 June 1940 various 11 Group fighter squadrons, mainly flying Hurricanes and Spitfires, flew protective cover over the French seaport of Dunkirk, trying to shield the Allied troops and shipping below from Luftwaffe air raids. Those troops bitterly complained "Where is the RAF?" but, as shown in Franks' book, the RAF was aloft, doing the best they could.

Though subsequently credited with at least 258 victories while losing 106 aircraft, the RAF was hobbled by many factors during Operation Dynamo. There were too few fighters available to furnish continuous coverage. Initially RAF units were fed into Dunkirk in small 'penny-packets' that were invariably overwhelmed by larger Luftwaffe formations. When the RAF started flying in wing strength, none of the pilots involved had any training in such ops. Also, many of the RAF pilots had no combat experience prior to Dunkirk, almost all still flying in the outmoded 'vic' formation, etc. All these factors and more worked against RAF mission performance. Franks' book paints a fuller picture of the RAF over Dunkirk.

Though updated in 2000, AIR BATTLE DUNKIRK shows its age. Franks does an excellent job of stating the RAF's case. However, without access to Luftwaffe loss records and combat reports, he wasn't able to create a true picture of the myriad air combats by comparing German accounts to RAF accounts. Consequently the book is replete with statements that 'Squadron 123 downed x number of Me109s, y Ju88s and z Ju87s and had xyz number of probables.' Until an author can compare and integrate the corresponding records from both sides involved in an air combat, he's only telling part of the story and, odds are, many of those 'confirmed kills' - on both sides - are inflated.

AIR BATTLE DUNKIRK is a good read. By 1983 standards, it's also good history. By contemporary standards however it's only half the story. Given the significance of the battle, AIR BATTLE DUNKIRK really demands a thorough revision, incorporating Luftwaffe data. Only then will we have a definitive account.