During the summer and autumn of 1940, the Germans launched their Luftwaffe campaign to gain superiority over the RAF, especially Fighter Command. They were not successful, and this defeat marked a turning point in the Allies' favor. This is the story of eight Australian fighter pilots engaged in the Battle of Britain, the first major battle of World War II (or any war) fought entirely in the air. Jack Kennedy, Stuart Walch, Dick Glyde, Ken Holland, Pat Hughes, Bill Millington, John Crossman and Des Sheen - all flew out in service but only one of them came home. Commendations generated upon release of the Australian edition; 'A story we take for granted, here told afresh with insight and empathy' - Professor Peter Stanley, UNSW Canberra 'In telling the stories of some of the Australians who flew in the Battle of Britain, Kristen Alexander has combined academic rigor with compelling personal detail. She has demonstrated that the "unknowns" of the Battle are as fascinating as those who gained celebrity status. This is a book for those who know much about what happened in 1940 and those who don't' - Geoff Simpson, Trustee, Battle of Britain Memorial Trust 'The lives of eight Australian fighter pilots, from backyard to cockpit and beyond, lovingly and expertly told' - Andy Wright, Aircrew Book Review
