The defeat of the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain was thanks largely to a highly effective support network that lay behind the Spitfire and Hurricane squadrons of RAF Fighter Command. Technical, physical and organizational systems established in Britain before the war ensured that when the time came the nation was able to defend itself against any would-be aggressor.
The Battle of Britain Manual describes and illustrates the 'nuts and bolts' of how Britain - and the RAF in particular - fought back against the Luftwaffe in 1940, and won. It also shows how the Luftwaffe was organized and how it, too, rose to the challenge.
Individual chapters review the organization of the RAF and the Luftwaffe in 1940, from high command down to squadron level; the integrated air defense network (radar, fighter control, ack-ack, balloons, Observer Corps, plotting rooms and RAF airfields); the technology behind radar and radio telephony; the aircraft of the RAF and Luftwaffe, their weapons and their tactics; and useful appendices that tell you where you can see airworthy Battle of Britain aircraft, museums that feature Battle of Britain exhibits, Battle of Britain-related organizations, and useful address and websites.
An insight into how technology and defence infrastructure helped the RAF
win the Battle of Britain in 1940 In series with the Haynes Spitfire,
Hurricane and Messerschmitt Bf109 Manuals, and the Haynes D-Day Operations
Manual Authoritative text by an expert author
Andy Saunders is a freelance writer and researcher specialising in military aviation history with particular emphasis on the Battle of Britain and the air war over north-west Europe 19391945. A regular contributor to the aviation press on a world-wide basis, he frequently has his articles published in mainstream aviation journals and is also a regular contributor to the magazines Britain at War and After The Battle and is also retained as consultant to Britain at War. As a published author his books include Finding The Few, Finding The Foe, Baders Last Fight and Convoy Peewit, all published by Grub Street. He lives in Sussex.
