Description
Book SynopsisBy summer of 1940, the Nazi Blitzkrieg had swept through much of western Europe, seizing control of territory right up to the Channel coast. A German invasion of Britain was expected to begin at any moment. But the key to success in such an invasion would be control of the skies over Britain – and the nation’s defenders were determined not to give in to their Nazi aggressors. The stage was set for one of the most important battles of the Second World War. This highly illustrated book tells the heroic story of the air battle, as well as the Blitz bombing campaign which followed, through photographs, interviews, diary and letter extracts, film stills and artwork from the world-famous IWM archives. Personal testimony from those who lived through the famous ‘Spitfire Summer’ of 1940 brings to life this truly unique visual retelling of one of the crucial moments of the conflict.
Trade Review‘With rich images, both iconic and unknown, alongside brilliantly researched writing, this is a hybrid history of words and pictures that raises the bar.’ Dan Snow
Table of ContentsIntroduction 6 Chapter One Background 16 Chapter Two The Opponents 46 Chapter Three The Initial Phase, June–July 1940 74 Chapter Four The Aircraft and Technology 96 Chapter Five The Targeting of Airfi elds, August 1940 130 Chapter Six The Bombing of Cities, September 1940 152 Chapter Seven The Continued Blitz, Late September–December 1940 176 Chapter Eight The Outcome of the Battle 210 Sources 234 Acknowledgements 235 Image List 235 Index 236
