Introduction

Ospreys Air Campaign books are a new series based on individual battles during a war, with the first in the series focusing on the Battle of Britain from the Luftwaffe's perspective.
The book is available in three formats, paperback, and two eBooks (PDF and ePub).
The paperback is priced at £13.99 and is numbered 9781472820570.
The two eBooks are both priced at £11.99 and are numbered -
eBook (ePub)
9781472820594

eBook (PDF)
9781472820587

The paperback book is printed in the standard Osprey soft cover format and size, and is 96 pages.
The book is written by Doug Dildy with illustrations by Graham Turner.

About the book

In August 1940, the Luftwaffe began an operation to destroy or neutralize RAF Fighter Command, and enable Hitler to invade Britain that autumn. It was a new type of air warfare: the first ever offensive counter-air campaign against an integrated air defence system. Powerful, combat-proven and previously all-conquering, the German air force had the means to win the Battle of Britain. Yet it did not.

This book is an original, rigorous campaign study of the Luftwaffe's Operation Adlerangriff, researched in Germany's World War II archives and using the most accurate data available. Doug Dildy explains the capabilities of both sides, sets the campaign in context, and argues persuasively that it was the Luftwaffe's own mistakes and failures that led to its defeat, and kept alive the Allies' chance to ultimately defeat Nazi Germany.

In the book

This book covers the German side of the BoB and with it gives an insight into the tactics and operations of this part of the war.
The text is well laid out with black and white pictures on every page, some of which I have seen before in other publications.
There is three painted artwork pictures in the book which cover two pages, but as they cover two pages the center of the book does spoil the effect a little.
Various maps on the waves of bombers and fighters invading British airspace, giving their units, height, formations and destination abound in the book, which helps paint the picture of the war, which is more then just text would do.
The author does give which units of the Luftwaffe and type of aircraft was used in all of the battles covered in the book, and also the kill ratio of the fighter units is given time and time again for the various stages of the conflict. Personally I didn't realise how many 109's participated in the war and the numbers used was astonishing on my part, as I always thought of the BoB of being a bombing war more then fighter hunting.
There is a few separate boxes of text to be found which adds a little more detail to that part of the book, be it the Battle of Biggen Hill, Baders Big Wing or Attacking the radar sites.
I wouldn't call this book an in-depth study of the Battle, but more of a overview, as its a fairly quick read.
I didn't identify any spelling errors, and the pictures are pretty good quality. The maps are in colour, and well presented.

A quick summary of the chapters -
1 - Introduction
How events leading up too the invasion of Britain unfolded, with Hitler trying to avoid a "War on two fronts" with the invasion of France and the Low Countries, and knocking Britain out of action before his intended invasion of the Soviet Union.

2 - Chronology
A brief summary of key dates of the Battle Of Britain.

3 - Attackers capability's
An interesting chapter of the formation of the Luftwaffe with key figures and personnel involved in the re-arming and aircraft development of the German air force.

4 - Defenders capability's
This tells of the radar networks and observation posts set up along the South Coast of England. It also describes the aircraft that were used and the location of air base's and the formation of the Sectors for defending Britain.

5 - Campaign Objectives
The plan for the air war and how it would effect Operation Sealion, by neutralising Britain's air force, manufacturing plants, naval bases and shipping so the cross channel operation wouldn't be hindered.

6 - The campaign
How the events of the Battle Of Britain unfolded.

7 - Aftermath and analysis
With the date of Operation Sealion past, Hitler postponed the invasion, so the BoB ended on the 31 October 1940 (in British eyes), although night raids against British cites continued.
The chapter also states how many records over the years have been grossly exaggerated on both sides with the number of aircraft lost.

8 - Bibliography and further reading
An account of books the author used in writing this book and some titles suggested for further reading on the subject.

The author

Doug Dildy is a USAF Academy graduate and former USAF colonel with a degree in history. He attended the US Armed Forces Staff College and USAF Air War College and holds a Master's Degree in Political Science. Doug has written campaign studies of the Battle of Britain for both the RAF Salute magazine and the USAF's Air Power History journal. He has also authored several articles covering the Dutch, Danish and Norwegian air arms' defence against the German invasions of 1940 for notable US aviation history magazines. He is a regular contributor to the amateur modelling magazine Small Air Forces Observer. Author info from Osprey Publishing

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