“Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few”
The Battle of Britain was the first major military campaign fought entirely by aerial forces and the first major defeat suffered by the Axis in the Second World War. Fought between 10 July – 31 October 1940, the Battle of Britain saw the Royal Air Force (RAF) attempt to defend the British Isles from large-scale raids by the Luftwaffe. With the aim of achieving air superiority in order to enact an amphibious and airborne assault on Britain known as Operation Sea Lion, Germany’s eventual failure to overwhelm the RAF led to a switch towards night-time raids known as the Blitz.
One of the most crucial pivotal moments in history, the Allied victory against such incredible odds has led to the Battle of Britain being revered, with everyone from the pilot aces in the skies to the civilians on the ground forever being immortalised as ‘The Few’. Join us at What We Reading for the best Battle of Britain books!
With Wings Like Eagles: A History Of the Battle of Britain – Michael Korda
Michael Korda, New York Times bestselling author of Ike and Horse People, masterfully brings to life the Battle of Britain with a fresh perspective in With Wings Like Eagles. Outlining the key strategies and battles on both sides of the campaign in great detail that never detracts from the storytelling, it is one of the best Battle of Britain books for grasping its scope and significance as a moment in history.
From the terror experienced by the civilians on the ground to a reassessment of Hugh Dowding, With Wings Like Eagles is a must-read for any WW2 buff.
The Battle Of Britain: Five Months That Changed History, May-October 1940 – James Holland
The Battle of Britain is rightly regarded as one of the most pivotal points in modern history, and that high-stakes feel is captured wonderfully by James Holland in The Battle of Britain.
In it, Holland examines the collective defiance led by Winston Churchill, a shrewd defensive system and heroic feats from the RAF and Royal Navy that made the campaign such an epic, and crucial victory. From the last stands in Flanders, convoy clashes in the English Channel to dogfights in the skies, Holland’s work is a collection of the best stories from both sides, drawing upon extensive research from around the world.
The Most Dangerous Enemy: A History of the Battle of Britain – Stephen Bungay
In The Most Dangerous Enemy, Stephen Bungay explores the longstanding significance of the Battle of Britain from a militaristic, historical and cultural point-of-view. He also breaks rank on a number of myths and misconceptions that continue to surround the campaign.
From the merits of the Spitfire, Hurricane and Messerschmitt, the development of radar to the hubris shown by German leadership, Bungay combines a compelling narrative with a number of surprising truths to present a wholly unique book on the Battle of Britain.
Winston’s War: Churchill, 1940-1945 – Max Hastings
One of the best biographies of Winston Churchill from one of the most acclaimed historians of his generation, Winston’s War is a striking portrait of Britain’s leader during wartime. Churchill is intrinsically linked with the Battle of Britain, with the campaign standing as both his and his country’s finest hour. Winston’s War takes readers behind the scenes on the full range of Churchill’s personality.
Capturing what he describes as an ‘appetite for the fray’, Hastings successfully the heroic, complex, infuriating and wholly fascinating persona that helped exude badly-needed confidence to the British people in the dark summer of 1940.
Spitfire Pilot: A Personal Account Of The Battle of Britain – David M. Crook
The Submarine Spitfires have gone down as the poster fighters of the Battle of Britain, embodying the daredevil heroism of the RAF. In Spitfire Pilot, David M. Crook grants readers the most intimate account of life during the Battle of Britain from one of the fighters at the heart of the action. Following D. M. Crook, of No. 609 Squadron AAF, Spitfire Pilot lifts the lid on the anxieties and camaraderie of the men who took to the skies.
From being unable to decipher friend from foe to coming to terms with losing those who never returned home, it is a unique approach to the campaign that puts this significant point of history into perspective.
Scramble: A Narrative History Of The Battle of Britain – Norman Gelb
Featuring 450 first-hand accounts from civilians, journalists, politicians and combatants, Norman Gelb’s Scramble is one of the most compelling accounts of day-to-day life during the Battle of Britain.
Evoking the terror, rage and frustration prevalent as Britain was besieged and isolated, as well as the spirit that held the country together, it chronicles all of the parts of the battle the myths gloss over. From the controversies and strategies revealed by Air Ministry papers to the desperate efforts to get battered planes operational, it is one of the most informative Battle of Britain books for seeing the campaign from all angles.
The Four Geniuses Of The Battle of Britain: Watson-Watt, Henry Royce, Sydney Camm & RJ Mitchell – David Coles And Peter Sherrard
Authors David Coles and Peter Sherrard introduce four individuals whose contributions were vital to the Allied victory in the Battle of Britain in The Four Geniuses of the Battle of Britain. From the development of the Spitfires, Hurricanes and the Merlin engines that powered them to the early warning radar systems that allowed Allied fighters to intercept bombing raids are all covered here.
Watson-Watt, Henry Royce, Sydney Camm & RJ Mitchell all contributed to the machinery, engineering and technology that allowed the RAF to take the fight to the Axis, and this book finally gives their achievements and contributions the spotlight they deserve.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
