num_pages: 296
description: Detailed biographical sketches of a number of men killed or missing from a variety of squadrons and units. Each chapter in this book concerns an individual which can be read as a stand-alone account or as part of the whole.The summer of 1940 remains a pivotal moment in modern British history  still inspiring immense national pride and a global fascination.The Fall of France was catastrophic. Britain stood alone and within range of German air attack. America with its vast resources was neutral Hitlers forces unbeaten the outlook for Britain bleak. As Britains wartime leader Winston Churchill rightly predicted the Battle of Britain is about to begin.Famously Churchill mobilized the English language emboldening the nation with rousing rhetoric. In this darkest of hours Churchill told the people that this was in fact their Finest Hour a time of unprecedented courage and defiance which defined the British people. Connecting the crucial battle with Shakespeares heroic Henry V and Agincourt Churchill also immortalized Fighter Commands young aircrew as the Few  to whom so many owed everything.The Few comprised nearly 3000 aircrew 544 of which gave their lives during the Battle of Britains sixteen weeks of high drama. Arguably however the official dates of 10 July  31 October 1940 are arbitrary the fighting actually ongoing before and afterwards. Many gave their lives whose names are not included among the Few as of course did civilians seamen and ground staff  which is not overlooked in this groundbreaking book.In this unique study veteran historian and author Dilip Sarkar explores the individual stories of a wide selection of those who lost their lives during the Finest Hour examining their all-too brief lives and sharing these tragic stories  told here in full for the first time. Also included is the story of a German fighter pilot indicating the breadth of investigation involved.Researched with the full cooperation of the families concerned this work is a crucial contribution to the Battle of Britains bibliography.
language: English
title: Battle of Britain 1940: The Finest Hour's Human Cost
publisher: Air World