To Defeat the Few The Luftwaffe's Campaign to Destroy RAF Fighter Command, August-September 1940 : TheLuftwaffe's Campaign to Destroy RAF Fighter Command, August-September 1940

**The Battle of Britain has acquired near-legendary status as one of the most iconic events of the 20th century. This new history, based on an exhaustive study of German records, explores the battle through the eyes of the Luftwaffe.** Over the past 77 years, histories of the Battle of Britain have consistently portrayed the feats of “The Few” (as they were immortalized in Churchill's famous speech) as being responsible for the RAF's victory in the epic battle. However, this is only part of the story. The results of an air campaign cannot be measured in terms of territory captured, cities occupied, or armies defeated, routed, or annihilated. Successful air campaigns are those that achieve their intended aims or stated objectives. Victory in the Battle of Britain was determined by whether the Luftwaffe achieved its objectives. The Luftwaffe, of course, did not, and this detailed and rigorous study explains why. Analyzing the battle in its entirety in the context of what it was--history's first independent offensive counter-air campaign against the world's first integrated air defense system--Douglas C. Dildy and Paul F. Crickmore set out to re-examine this remarkable conflict. Presenting the events of the Battle of Britain in the context of the Luftwaffe's campaign and RAF Fighter Command's battles against it, this title is a new and innovative history of the battle that kept alive the Allies' chances of defeating Nazi Germany. This history, based on an exhaustive study of German records, explores The Battle of Britain through the eyes of the Luftwaffe.Over the past 80 years, histories of the Battle of Britain have consistently portrayed the feats of'The Few'(as they were immortalized in Churchill's famous speech) as being responsible for the RAF's victory in the epic battle. However, this is only part of the story.The results of an air campaign cannot be measured in terms of territory captured, cities occupied or armies defeated, routed or annihilated. Successful air campaigns are those that achieve their intended aims or stated objectives. Victory in the Battle of Britain was determined by whether the Luftwaffe achieved its objectives. The Luftwaffe, of course, did not, and this detailed and rigorous study explains why. Analysing the battle in its entirety in the context of what it was – history's first independent offensive counter-air campaign against the world's first integrated air defence system – Douglas C. Dildy and Paul F. Crickmore set out to re-examine this remarkable conflict.Presenting the events of the Battle of Britain in the context of the Luftwaffe's campaign and RAF Fighter Command's battles against it, this title is a new and innovative history of the battle that kept alive the Allies'chances of defeating Nazi Germany. Over the past 80 years, histories of the Battle of Britain have consistently portrayed the feats of 'The Few' (as they were immortalized in Churchill's famous speech) as being responsible for the RAF's victory in the epic battle. However, this is only part of the story. The results of an air campaign cannot be measured in terms of territory captured, cities occupied or armies defeated, routed or annihilated. Successful air campaigns are those that achieve their intended aims or stated objectives. Victory in the Battle of Britain was determined by whether the Luftwaffe achieved its objectives. The Luftwaffe, of course, did not, and this detailed and rigorous study explains why. Analysing the battle in its entirety in the context of what it was – history's first independent offensive counter-air campaign against the world's first integrated air defence system – Douglas C. Dildy and Paul F. Crickmore set out to re-examine this remarkable conflict. Presenting the events of the Battle of Britain in the context of the Luftwaffe's campaign and RAF Fighter Command's battles against it, this title is a new and innovative history of the battle that kept alive the Allies' chances of defeating Nazi Germany. Cover Half-title Dedication Title Copyright Contents Acknowledgements Foreword by Paul E. Eden Prologue Chapter I. Westfeldzug: Why the Battle of Britain occurred Chapter II. Fall Gelb: Prologue to the Battle of Britain Chapter III. Dunkirk: Triumph without victory Chapter IV. ‘Was nun?’: Hitler’s strategic options, July 1940 Chapter V. The Luftwaffe’s Capabilities: Germany’s only real means to defeat Great Britain Chapter VI. The Luftwaffe’s Opponent: RAF Fighter Command Chapter VII. Kanalkampf (Channel Battle): The Luftwaffe’s maritime air campaign Chapter VIII. Seelöwe (Sealion): Hitler’s plan to invade Britain Chapter IX. Adlerangriff Stage 1: 12–16 August 1940 Chapter X. Adlerangriff Stage 2: 17–19 August 1940 Chapter XI. Adlerangriff Stage 3: 24 August to 6 September 1940 Chapter XII. Adlerangriff Stage 4: 7–17 September 1940 Chapter XIII. Defeat Dies Slowly: 17 September through 31 October 1940 Chapter XIV. Analysis: Assessing the Battle of Britain from the Luftwaffe’s perspective Appendices Glossary Bibliography Endnotes Index About the Authors