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In time for the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, we now
have-thanks to Swedish historian Bergstroem-perhaps the most
thorough, expert examination of the topic ever written. Illustrated
throughout with maps and rare photos, plus a color section closely
depicting the aircraft, this work lays out the battle as seldom
seen before. The battle was a turning in point in military history,
and arguably in the fate of the world. By late summer 1940 Nazi
Germany had conquered all its opponents on the continent, including
the British Army itself, which was forced to scramble back aboard
small boats to its shores. With a Non-Aggression Pact with the
Soviet Union in hand, Hitler had only one remaining object that
season-the British Isles themselves. However, before he could
invade, his Luftwaffe needed to wipe the Royal Air Force from the
skies. Thus took place history's first strategic military campaign
conducted in the air alone. This book contains a large number of
dramatic eyewitness accounts, even as it reveals new facts that
will alter perception of the battle in the public's eyes. For
example, the twin-engined Messerschmitt Bf 110 was actually a good
day fighter, and it performed at least as well in this role as the
Bf 109 during the battle. The Luftwaffe's commander, Hermann
Goering, performed far better than has previously been his image.
The British night bombers played a more decisive role than
previously thought; meantime this book disproves that the German
109 pilots were in any way superior to their Hurricane or Spitfire
counterparts. The author has made a detailed search into the loss
records for both sides, and provides statistics that will raise
more than one eyebrow. The "revisionist" version, according to
which the courage and skill of the RAF airmen is "exaggerated" is
scrutinized and completely shattered. There is no doubt that it was
the unparalleled efforts of "The Few" that won the battle. The
Germans, on the other hand, did not show the same stamina as they
had on the continent. The following summer they would show it again
when they went in to Russia. In the skies over Britain this work
verifies where credit was due.
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