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The Battle of Britain in the Modern Age, 1965–2020: The State’s Retreat and Popular Enchantment
by Garry CampionThe Battle of Britain has held an enchanted place in British popular history and memory throughout the modern era. Its transition from history to heritage since 1965 confirms that the 1940 narrative shaped by the State has been sustained by historians, the media, popular culture, and through non-governmental heritage sites, often with financing from the National Lottery Heritage Lottery Fund. Garry Campion evaluates the Battle’s revered place in British society and its influence on national identity, considering its historiography and revisionism; the postwar lives of the Few, their leaders and memorialization; its depictions on screen and in commercial products; the RAF Museum’s Battle of Britain Hall; third-sector heritage attractions; and finally, fighter airfields, including RAF Hawkinge as a case study. A follow-up to Campion’s The Battle of Britain, 1945–1965 (Palgrave, 2015), this book offers an engaging, accessible study of the Battle’s afterlives in scholarship, memorialization, and popular culture.
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight: 50 Years of Flying
by Jarrod CotterThe history of the Flight began with the formation of the Historic Aircraft Flight in July 1957, it was later to become known as The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Countless displays and fly-pasts have enthralled audiences and enthusiasts all over Britain and in many parts of Europe, when the traditional Avro Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane can be seen in their wartime colors and the growl of all six Merlin engines stirs many nostalgic memories.This book is written with the wholehearted support of the Flights Commanding Officer and the author has access to archive material. The book includes a Foreword from the OC BBMF, a complete history of the unit, chapters on each of the types operated, including the DC-3 Dakota and de Havilland Chipmunk and present-day operations. Photos include superb images from the BBMF archives, the authors collection that includes historic black and white shots from the early days, air-to-air color, personalities and behind-the-scenes images.This is the ultimate souvenir of the celebration of the BBMFs 50th Anniversary.
The Battle of Britain on the Big Screen: ‘The Finest Hour' Through British Cinema
by Dilip SarkarDuring the Second World War, the British movie industry produced a number of films concerning the war, all of which were, by necessity, heavily myth-laden and propagandised. Foremost among these productions was The First of the Few, which was the biggest grossing film of 1942. In the immediate post-war period, to start with there were no British aviation war films. The first to be released was Angels One Five in 1952. It was well-received, confirming that the Battle of Britain was a commercial commodity. Over the next few years, many famous war heroes published their memoirs, or had books written about them, including the legless Group Captain Douglas Bader, whose story, Reach for the Sky, told by Paul Brickhill, became a best-seller in 1956. It was followed a year later by the film of the same name, which, starring Kenneth More, dominated that year’s box office. The early Battle of Britain films had tended to focus upon the story of individuals, not the bigger picture. That changed with the release of the star-studded epic Battle of Britain in 1969. Using real aircraft, the film, produced in color and on a far larger scale than had been seen on film before, was notable for its spectacular flying sequences. Between the release of Reach for the Sky and Battle of Britain, however, much had changed for modern Britain. For a variety of reasons many felt that the story of the nation’s pivotal moment in the Second World War was something best buried and forgotten. Indeed, the overall box office reaction to Battle of Britain reinforced this view – all of which might explain why it was the last big screen treatment of this topic for many years. It was during the Battle of Britain’s seventieth anniversary year that the subject returned to the nation's screens when Matthew Wightman’s docudrama First Light was first broadcast. Essentially a serialisation of Spitfire pilot Geoffrey Wellum’s best-selling memoir of the same title, Wightman cleverly combined clips of Wellum as an old man talking about the past with his new drama footage. The series is, in the opinion of the author, the best portrayal of an individual’s Battle of Britain experience to have been made. In this fascinating exploration of the Battle of Britain on the big screen, renowned historian and author Dilip Sarkar examines the popular memory and myths of each of these productions and delves into the arguments between historians and the filmmakers. Just how true to the events of the summer of 1940 are they, and how much have they added to the historical record of ‘The Finest Hour’?
The Battle of Britain Pocket Manual 1940
by Chris McNabA guide detailing the training and operations for the British pilots, ground crew, and anti-aircraft gunners during the World War II battle.In the summer of 1940, Britain stood alone. For three long months, brave young RAF pilots took off every day, ready to defend British skies against large-scale Luftwaffe raids. “The Few” were young, but they were trained and determined. Eighty years on, the last of the pilots to fly in the Battle of Britain are feted, and their part in World War II is widely remembered.This pocket manual covers the training that these young pilots would have had, and the air combat tactics they were taught to use against the German raiders. It also covers the role of the ground crews, control and command systems, anti-aircraft defenses, and radar and raid detection.
The Battle Of Britain Revisited
by Group Captain John H. SpencerThe North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was formed as, and remains, a defensive alliance. It is axiomatic therefore, that in the event of a war in Europe, NATO forces would be initially on the defensive. It is also likely that the Warsaw Pact (WP) forces would use all the considerable means at their disposal to achieve their war aims, including air power, and in the past 50 years or so, air power has had a considerable, some would even say a decisive, role to play in the conduct of war. From the foregoing, it can be seen that NATO air defences would be a vital pillar in the overall defence of Western Europe and that should they fail, or be overcome, then the achievement of NATO war aims would be made very much more difficult. In this context, it would seem worthwhile to examine one of the very few air defence campaigns of the past that succeeded and to see what lessons can be learnt from it that have relevance for today.Arguably, the most notable example of a successful air defence campaign was the Battle of Britain, which took place in the summer and autumn of 1940. Many books articles, and reminiscences have been published about the struggle and this study does not intend to give a detailed blow-by-blow account but rather to analyse the campaign and highlight those aspects which seem of particular importance to the outcome of the battle. It may be that some of these illuminate the eternal verities of warfare and are therefore as important today as they ever were.
A Battle of Britain Spitfire Squadron: The Men and Machines of 152 Squadron in the Summer of 1940
by Danny BurtFormed at Rochford on 1 October 1918, just weeks before the Armistice that ended the First World War, 152 (Hyderabad) Squadron was originally a night fighter unit equipped with the Sopwith Camel. Its existence was short-lived, for the squadron was disbanded on 30 June 1919.With war clouds looming over Europe once more, 152 Squadron reformed at Arklington on 1 October 1939, becoming operational just over four weeks later. In January 1940, conversion to Spitfires began and after a period of defensive patrols in the North East, the squadron moved to Warmwell in Dorset to help defend southern England against attacks from the Luftwaffe forces now based in northern France. Throughout the Battle of Britain, the men and machines of 152 Squadron, call sign Maida, defended the Warmwell sector, which included the vital Royal Navy base at Portland, as part of 10 Group. It is the period from 12 July to 28 November 1940 that the author examines in great depth and detail in this definitive account. This, then, is the story of one squadrons part in the struggle to defend Britain during those dark days in the summer of 1940.
The Battle of Brooklyn 1776
by John J. GallagherThis popular 1995 work is now available in trade paperback for all those who have still not read a vivid, exciting account of the largest battle of the American Revolution (albeit a crushing American defeat) and for all those who continue to refer to the clash as "The Battle of Long Island. ” At Brooklyn, George Washington commanded the largest army that he would handle throughout the Revolution, and though he did not at first succeed, the fighting that day set the stage for victories to come. "In his shot-by-shot account of the largest and bloodiest battle of the American Revolution, Gallagher recreates the fierce encounter of 27 August 1776 in which twenty thousand British, Hessian and Loyalist troops defeated ten thousand patriot soldiers. . . . the book offers many perceptive observations and the author succinctly summarizes the lessons derived . . . this book is recommended reading for those who cherish the heritage of the gallant 'rabble in arms’ that risked all for American independence. ” -Long Island Historical Journal"Long neglected . . . the Battle of Brooklyn is given comprehensive coverage . . . using a lively writing style Gallagher makes it easy to visualize the actual skirmishes by providing interesting details. ” -Flintlock and Powderhorn
Battle of Brothers: William and Harry – The Inside Story of a Family in Tumult
by Robert LaceyFrom bestselling author and historical consultant to the award-winning Netflix series The Crown, an unparalleled insider account of tumult, secrecy and schism in the Royal family. The world has watched Prince William and Prince Harry since they were born. Raised by Princess Diana to be the closest of brothers, how have the boy princes grown into very different, now distanced men? <P><P>From royal insider, biographer and historian Robert Lacey, this book reveals the untold details of William and Harry’s closeness and estrangement, asking what happens when two sons are raised for vastly different futures – one burdened with the responsibility of one day becoming king, the other with the knowledge that he will always remain spare. How have William and Harry both agreed and diverged in their views of what a modern royal owes to their country? Were the seeds of damage sowed by Prince Charles and Princess Diana as their marriage unraveled for all the world to see? In the previous generation, how have Prince Charles and Prince Andrew’s own relations strained under the Crown? What role has Queen Elizabeth II played in marshalling her feuding heirs? What parts have Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle played in helping their husbands to choose their differing paths? And what is the real, unvarnished story behind Harry and Meghan’s dramatic departure? In the most intimate vision yet of life behind closed doors, with its highs, lows and discretions all laid out, this is a journey into royal life as never offered before. <P><P><b>A New York Times Bestseller</b>
Battle of Brothers: William and Harry—the Inside Story of a Family in Tumult
by Robert LaceyA New York Times bestseller.From bestselling author and historical consultant to the award-winning Netflix series The Crown, an unparalleled insider account of tumult, secrecy and schism in the Royal family.The world has watched Prince William and Prince Harry since they were born. Raised by Princess Diana to be the closest of brothers, how have the boy princes grown into very different, now distanced men?From royal insider, biographer and historian Robert Lacey, this book reveals the untold details of William and Harry’s closeness and estrangement, asking what happens when two sons are raised for vastly different futures – one burdened with the responsibility of one day becoming king, the other with the knowledge that he will always remain spare. How have William and Harry both agreed and diverged in their views of what a modern royal owes to their country? Were the seeds of damage sowed by Prince Charles and Princess Diana as their marriage unraveled for all the world to see? In the previous generation, how have Prince Charles and Prince Andrew’s own relations strained under the Crown? What role has Queen Elizabeth II played in marshalling her feuding heirs? What parts have Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle played in helping their husbands to choose their differing paths? And what is the real, unvarnished story behind Harry and Meghan’s dramatic departure?In the most intimate vision yet of life behind closed doors, with its highs, lows and discretions all laid out, this is a journey into royal life as never offered before.
The Battle of Cambrai 1917: Mœuvres and Bourlon, Cantaing and Graincourt to Flesquières, Masnières, Gouzeaucourt and Gonnelieu
by Jerry MurlandThe 1917 Battle of Cambrai featured the first massed tank attack in military history and provoked the biggest German counter-attack against the British since 1914. The British aimed to break through the German Hindenburg Line, then threaten the rear of the German positions to the north. The battle is one of the most famous and controversial episodes of the First World War, and the battlefield is one of the most commonly visited on the Western Front. Jerry Murland’s clearly written, highly illustrated guide is the ideal introduction to it. Visitors can trace for themselves the course of the battle across the modern landscape and gain a fascinating insight into the nature of the fighting – and the wider conflict across the Western Front – throughout the war. Included are a series of routes that can be walked, cycled or driven. Among the key sites covered are Haverincourt, Flesquières, Mœuveres, Graincourt, Cantaign, Marcoing and Masnières, Bourlon, La Vacquerie and Villers-Plouich, Gouzeaucourt and Gonnelieu. In each place Jerry Murland describes the fighting that occurred there, recording what happened, exactly where it happened and why, and he points out the sights that remain for the visitor to see. His guidebook is essential reading for visitors who wish to enhance their understanding of the Battle of Cambrai and the war on the Western Front.
The Battle of Camden: A Documentary History
by Jim PiecuchFirst-person accounts and historical analyses of this dramatic Revolutionary War battle in South Carolina. On the foggy morning of August 16, 1780, American and British armies clashed in the pine woods north of Camden, South Carolina, in one of the most important and influential battles of the Revolutionary War. An American victory would quash British plans to subjugate the southern colonies and virtually guarantee the independence of the fledgling United States. A victory for the British would pave the way for the conquest of North Carolina and Virginia. After nearly an hour of frenzied, bloody combat, the British army emerged victorious, and American morale plummeted to its lowest point of the war. The rout at Camden was not a total loss, however—as Patriot forces eventually came away with a renewed determination to resist British advances, and the lessons from the defeat were applied to secure future victories that finally allowed the Patriots to triumph in the South. This book presents the Battle of Camden as never before: through the words of American and British participants and contemporary observers. The events leading up to the conflict, the combat itself, and the consequences of Camden are all described in striking detail. The cunning strategies of both American Major General Horatio Gates and British Lieutenant General Lord Cornwallis are revealed, as are a number of battlefield reports from soldiers on both sides. In addition to these compelling first-hand accounts, The Battle of Camden includes analysis of the battle and its effects in America and Europe from George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Lord George Germain. With this landmark text, historian Jim Piecuch offers a comprehensive consideration of a vital Revolutionary battle and its effects on the war for American independence.
Battle of Cedar Creek, The: Victory from the Jaws of Defeat (Civil War Series)
by Jonathan A. NoyalasNestled between the Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia's Shenandoah Valley enjoyed tremendous prosperity before the Civil War. This valuable stretch of land--called "the Breadbasket of the Confederacy" due to its rich soil and ample harvests--became the source of many conflicts between the Confederate and Union armies. Of the thirteen major battles fought here, none was more influential than the Battle of Cedar Creek. On October 19, 1864, General Philip Sheridan's Union troops finally gained control of the valley, which eliminated the Shenandoah as a supply source for Confederate forces in Virginia, ended the valley's role as a diversionary theater of war and stopped its use as an avenue of invasion into the North. Civil War historian Jonathan A. Noyalas explains the battle and how it aided Abraham Lincoln's reelection campaign and defined Sheridan's enduring legacy.
The Battle of Chancellorsville (Cornerstones of Freedom)
by Zachary KentDescription of the 1863 battle during the American Civil War, for children.
The Battle of Clonmult: The IRA's Worst Defeat
by Tom O'NeillThe Battle of Clonmult was the IRA’s greatest loss of volunteers in a single engagement against Crown Forces. On Sunday, 20 February 1921, at Clonmult near Midleton in County Cork, almost the entire east Cork flying column was wiped out having been surprised by a British Army patrol later reinforced by Auxiliary Police. Only one IRA man escaped the attack. Twelve were killed, seven after they had surrendered, and two of the eight captured were later executed. In this balanced and factual account of the Battle of Clonmult, Tom O’Neill includes the formation of the column, the events leading to the battle, a detailed account of that terrible day for the IRA locally and nationally, the aftermath, trials, executions and reprisals. This book goes into detail of how the British Army located the column even though the informer had mistakenly directed them to the wrong house, and this revised edition draws on the original 1921 Military Court file of the Clonmult prisoners to provide new information on the battle.
The Battle of Copake Lake
by Schuyler Van de Carr"Do we exist as a property and for the enrichment of England or do we stand as free men in our own Country? Do we bend a knee in prayer or to violent monarch?" Pivotal events during the American Revolution converge to bring peaceful Copake Lake into the War of Independence. General Washington's atttempts to blockade the Hudson River and prevent British Warships from dividing the colonies have been met with failure. The great chain designed for his purpose has twice failed and before another attempt is made, must be tested unobserved. Bristish spies are everywhere, and agents of the Continental Army, the inkeeprs beutiful daughter, and the boys at the still band together in this frantic contest. Can a secret known only to a strange Oneida warrior save the day?
The Battle of Copenhagen, 1801: Nelson's Historic Victory
by Ole FeldbaekA leading Danish historian presents a detailed account of the epic naval conflict between Denmark and a British fleet led by Vice Admiral Nelson. Fearing an alliance between Denmark and France, Britain sent a fleet of more than fifty ships to form a blockade off Great Yarmouth to prevent collaboration and ensure its naval superiority. But a series of diplomatic failures sent Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson into battle at Copenhagen. Written by the leading Danish authority on the period, this splendid work brings to life Nelson&’s historic victory immortalized by his so famously turning a blind eye to his superior&’s order to halt operations. As well as describing the brilliance of the British tactics, the work fascinatingly reveals the desperate action and great bravery displayed by the Danish defenders who suffered appallingly in the fighting.
The Battle Of Corrin: Legends of Dune 3
by Brian Herbert Kevin J AndersonThe universal computer mind Omnius has retreated to its last stronghold, where it plots a devastating new strategy that could undo the victories of the Butlerian Jihad. The surviving Titans are creating new lieutenants to do their will when at last they return to attack the human beings they once ruled.In the years of peace too many of mankind have forgotten that their machine enemies never sleep. But some have forgotten nothing - and learned from their triumphs. The brilliant military commander Vorian Atreides, son of a Titan, has the gift of long life from his terrifying father and knows the machines' minds better than any man alive. Norma Cenva, the genius inventor of humanity's best defences, dreams of new discoveries that will make man invincible. And on the windswept desert planet Arrakis, the power that can give them victory waits.The authors of PRELUDE TO DUNE have written the triumphant climax to the history of the Dune universe: the story most eagerly anticipated by its readers.'If you're familiar with the Dune universe it is oddly compelling. This is a successful space opera that spins in a few genuine surprises.' Locus
Battle Of Crete: Hitler’s Airborne Gamble
by Major Maria A. BiankAs Adolf Hitler conquered most of the European continent in 1939-1941, the small island of Crete in the Mediterranean Sea became vital to future operations in the Mediterranean region for both the Axis and Allied powers. If the Allies controlled Crete, their air and sea superiority would not allow the Germans a strategic military foothold in the region. For the Germans, Crete would secure the Aegean Sea for Axis shipping, loosen Great Britain's grasp in the eastern Mediterranean Sea and provide air bases to launch offensives against British forces in Egypt. Therefore, the central research question is: Did the results of the German campaign in Crete justify its execution? The operational results of the German campaign in Crete and the strategic advantages gained from its success did not justify the execution of the battle. Although Germany's conquest of Crete achieved all of the strategic advantages, Hitler did not accomplish the strategic objectives set forth at the beginning of the campaign. Crete was not used as a staging base from which to engage the British in offensive operations against the Suez Canal or North Africa. German losses to the highly trained air corps were staggering and Hitler never again employed parachutists on a large-scale airborne operation. Future war efforts were deprived of this elite, highly mobile striking force. Hitler did not capitalize on the hard fought victory in Crete by using the island as a stepping-stone, ultimately controlling the eastern Mediterranean region because he was hypnotized by the invasion of Russia.
The Battle of Crete (Australian Army Campaigns #1)
by Albert PalazzoBetween 20 May and 1 June 1941 the Second World War came to the Greek island of Crete. The Commonwealth defenders consisted of Australian, New Zealand and British refugees from the doomed Greek Campaign who had not recovered from defeat.
The Battle of Darcy Lane
by Tara AltebrandoFor twelve-year-old Julia Richards, life just seems to be full of a lot of waiting. Waiting for the cicadas to emerge, waiting with her best friend, Taylor, for the summer to get interesting, even waiting for her parents to let her move into the much cooler room down the hall. It seems like the waiting might finally be over when new girl Alyssa and her plushy pink chair arrive across the street on Darcy Lane. However, when Alyssa challenges Julia for Taylor’s friendship and her crush starts hanging out with Alyssa and Taylor without her, Julia feels as if her once predictable summer is suddenly turning into one big, unexpected showdown. And beating Alyssa at a competitive street game called Russia may be the only way to win it all. Acclaimed author Tara Altebrando’s middle-grade debut features a voice that is pure to the adolescent experience of change, discovery, acute emotion, and endless possibility.
Battle of Dogger Bank: The First Dreadnought Engagement, January 1915 (Twentieth-Century Battles)
by Tobias R. PhilbinThe definitive study of one of the pivotal naval battles of the Great War. On January 24, 1915, a German naval force commanded by Admiral Franz von Hipper conducted a raid on British fishing fleets in the area of the Dogger Banks. The force was engaged by a British force, which had been alerted by a decoded radio intercept. The ensuing battle would prove to be the largest and longest surface engagement until the Battle of Jutland the following summer. While the Germans lost an armored cruiser with heavy loss of life and Hipper&’s flagship was almost sunk, confusion in executing orders allowed the Germans to escape. The British considered the battle a victory; but the Germans had learned important lessons and they would be better prepared for the next encounter with the British fleet at Jutand. Tobias Philbin&’s Battle of Dogger Bank provides a keen analytical description of the battle and its place in the naval history of World War I. &“Tobias Philbin has written a very entertaining and informative book on the Battle of Dogger Bank. It will be enjoyed by a wide audience including naval historians, strategists, and those interested in how broader long-term decision-making determines the manner in which battles are fought, won and lost.&” —The International Journal of Maritime History &“The author&’s research in British and German archives and knowledge of secondary sources produces a significant work on the war at sea.&” —Stand-To &“An interesting and stimulating book that is a useful contribution to the history of the First World War in the North Sea.&” —The Mariner&’s Mirror
The Battle of Dorking: Reminiscences Of A Volunter
by George Tomkyns ChesneyBritain is under attack, and winning at Dorking is the only way the empire can be saved It is the late nineteenth century, and a country much like Germany is on the move in Europe. It has already beaten its rivals on the continent and mobilized to the Netherlands, provoking the fear of British citizens. Then the nation strikes. Its powerful weapons destroy the Royal Navy, and invasion cannot be far behind. Written as a hypothetical exercise to raise awareness among average British citizens about the potential danger that a resurgent Germany could pose, The Battle of Dorking earned its place in literary history as the forerunner to the invasion-novel genre, predating The War of the Worlds by almost twenty years. The novel&’s drama, which culminates in a fight that will change the course of history forever, thrilled audiences when it was originally released as a serial, and it maintains its power today. This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.
The Battle of Dyrrhachium, 48 BC: Caesar, Pompey, and the Early Campaigns of the Third Roman Civil War
by Gareth C. SampsonIn 49 BC the Roman Republic collapsed once more into bloody civil war. At the heart of this war lay the two greatest living Roman commanders, and former allies, Pompey the Great and Julius Caesar, each having built their own factions within the Roman oligarchy and refusing to compromise. The subsequent civil war would be fought for control of the Republic with each man determined to restore peace and stability to Rome, under their leadership. Yet despite this clash it was eighteen months before the two men met in Battle at Dyrrhachium in Albania. Gareth Sampson outlines the strategic background, describing the early campaigns of the civil war and the factions of Caesar and Pompey that fought for control of the vast resources of the Republic. The Battle of Dyrrhachium itself is analysed to determine the strengths and weakness of both armies and their various commanders as well as the tactics used in the phases of the battle which culminated in victory for Pompey. Focus is also given to the aftermath of the battle that saw Caesar defeated and Pompey in the ascendancy.
The Battle of Evernight: The Ill-made Mute, The Lady Of The Sorrows, The Battle Of Evernight (The Bitterbynde Trilogy #3)
by Cecilia Dart-ThorntonThe Lady of the Sorrows embarks on a perilous quest in a wild realm of magic and malevolence to reunite with her enigmatic lover and end a terrible war To save her loved ones from catastrophe, the Lady of the Sorrows urgently seeks to uncover the secrets of her past. Yet those mysteries, once revealed, will be more extraordinary and harrowing than she could have imagined. The lady journeys to the terrible fortress of the Raven Prince in Evernight, despite the Bitterbynde curse that is distorting her memories and the onset of a debilitating malady for which a cure may never be found. As a battle for the destiny of the world begins, the lady must make a fateful decision. If she reveals what she knows, she will liberate 2 worlds—or incite the downfall of everything she loves. The stunning conclusion to her acclaimed Bitterbynde Trilogy, The Battle of Evernight is the crowning literary achievement of author Cecilia Dart-Thornton, who has been praised as Australia&’s J. R. R. Tolkien. Lyrical and breathtaking, a bold and bittersweet fantasy born from ancient legends and folklore passed down through the ages, it is a magnificent contribution to the canon of Western fantasy literature.