Customer Reviews

The Battle of Britain: The Unique True Story of Five Months Which Changed the War May - October 1940

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Just over 70 years ago as I write, the first and last major aeronautical-only battle raged in the skies over southern England. The outcome, although dismissed by the Germans at the time as an unimportant side-show, was crucial to the outcome of the Second World War. For the first time, the Germans had received a set-back. And by failing to invade Britain or bring it to its knees, the Germans left off the coast of Europe an unsinkable aircraft carrier from which bomber fleets would one day pummel Germany day and night, and from which the operation to liberate Europe would be launched. Churchill's immortal "Few" changed the course of history. Without them, the Soviet juggernaut might have finally stopped at the Channel, instead of in central Germany.

The interesting thing that this book brings out is exactly that - the Germans failed, not that the British succeeded. As the Duke of Wellington said at Waterloo, it was a "damned close-run thing". The British survived, and that's all, but it was enough. All the cards were apparently in German hands. They had a big air force. In the Messerschmitt 109 they had the best fighter in the world, one that bested the early model of Reginald Mitchell's gorgeous Spitfire in nearly every department. And they were often flown by people such as Adolf Galland, hardened combat veterans of the Condor Legion in Spain. However, they were handicapped by being forced to use the wrong tactics, and by the facts that they had only a few minutes over the target and that every pilot shot down over England was a pilot lost, whereas an RAF flyer, if uninjured, was ready to fly again.

The British made up for their deficiencies in equipment and experience by being better organised and knowing exactly what they had to do. Sir Hugh Dowding, Head of Fighter Command, with a feeling for what lay ahead, sought to prevent his fighter squadrons being used up in France, which won him no friends. His devotion to doing the job no matter whose toes he stood on, and his total lack of interest in political machinations would eventually be instrumental in losing him his job. Dowding's 2-I-C Keith Park carefully husbanded his fighter squadrons, rotating them regularly to rest them adequately. Lord Beaverbrook's command of aviation production and his ruthless steamrollering of every bureaucratic obstacle ensured that Fighter Command ended the Battle with more fighter aircraft than it had when it started - the problem was always the loss of pilots. British aircraft repair services got damaged planes back into the fight with an efficiency that left the Germans in the shade. And radar and central control of the air war gave the RAF major advantages. In the meantime, Bomber Command raided targets regularly, even Berlin. These were relative pinpricks, but it gave the Germans the uneasy feeling that it was not all going to be plain sailing. And they were instrumental in making the Germans change tactics, to bombing cities, thus giving Fighter Command's battered airfields a respite.

In contrast, the Luftwaffe flew its aircrews to the point of exhaustion, and watched their numbers, morale and efficiency plummet as the annihilated RAF (according to propaganda) kept on coming at them with the same vigour as before. "Oh, look, here comes the last squadron of Spitfires," was the bitter joke.

The author is excellent in seeing things from both sides. He has talked to people who fought on both sides and got their views. He also includes the wider picture - you get not only the Battle of Britain, but also an examination of the preceding Battle of France, as well as a look at the submarine war, which, if prosecuted to the extent that old submariner Admiral Doenitz desired, could have brought Britain to its knees more efficiently than any air campaign. Altogether an interesting and informative account of the dramatic events of 1940.

The previous review says it all.

I'd just like to add that I enjoyed it immensly. Its told like a story, unfolding all the background as and when it is needed to paint a picture. And what a picture this author paints. I feel I have had a complete picture. Even Neville Chamberlain is rightfully rehabilitated.

I have bought three for christmas presents.

Well done James Holland.

The publisher claims this book is the definitive account of the battle of Britain and if a single volume can attain that lofty title then this book is awfully close to it. The story is personable and interesting and covers all the arenas facing Britain during that dark period of May to October 1940.
It covers the sweeping invasion and fall of France and Belgium by the Germans as well as the evacuation and fighting at Dunkirk where much of the BEF was saved but where most of their equipment and weapons were lost, spoils that were badly needed by the German Army. It also covers the conflict at sea when German u-boats were trying to strangle the island. And of course it covers the intense battles in the skies over the continent, the channel and the island fortress.
In addition to the military aspects, the political and human drama are blended all together for a well rounded, inspiring view that will be appreciated by many. This capable blending, elevating this book to near definitive status, is the complete picture of what it was like living in those dark darks for all British.
Visions of civilians coping with daily bombings, practically living in bomb shelters and when coming out after a raid seeing whole blocks of tenements destroyed or you'll read about the harrowing experiences of pilots dogfighting over the skies of London or dropping the "mail" on German positions on the French caost or sailors who talk about how they survived a u-boat attack or a strafing run. Then there are the WAFFs who put in long hours supporting the officers making so many decisions every day or the civilian volunteers who helped the injured or homeless.

On the political level, you'll read about Churchill, Chamberlain, Halifax, Beaverbrook, Dowding and others as they try to keep the country going. Mr Holland, looking at the big picture, stresses the importance of Churchill's determination to stay in the fight which would start a domino effect that eventually brought Hitler down.
While the author is quite passionate for the British side, he doesn't skimp on facts on the German side, providing ample details on the military and political aspects. The inner workings of Hitler, Halder, Guderian, Rommel and others during the planning stage and the actual invasion is described, letting the reader garner a sufficient understanding of the German perspective. Operation Sealion is even discussed and was a viable operation planned to launch, despite naval resistance, but had to be canceled when the Luftwaffe failed to gain control of the skies over Great Britain

There are a dozen maps which are helpful and have great eye appeal. There is also an assortment of squadron formation diagrams and an Order of Battle for the RAF and Luftwaffe which was greatly appreciated. In "Postscript" there is a follow-up of a few personal profiles of people who were key to this story. There is a select photo gallery of people who exemplify this story as well as the destruction that was levied and the planes of both sides that created that havoc.
There is a generous Notes Section, Bibliography and Index is further study is desired.

The expanse and flair of this book has to make it one of the best books on the battle for Britain. It was thoroughly enjoyed and is highly recommended. For those who enjoy operational aspects of the land battles, I would also recommend (and its also on the author's source list) the book by Karl-Heinz Frieser, "The Blitzkrieg Legend" which delves a little deeper into the German perspective of the ground war as well as blitzkrieg tactics.