The Royal Navy and the Battle of Britain

by Cumming, Anthony J.

• ISBN13: 9781591141600
• ISBN10: 1591141605
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2010-09-15
• Publisher: Naval Inst Pr

Summary

This persuasive study attacks the key myths surrounding the Battle of Britain to revise the relative status of maritime and aviation factors in the defense of Britain. Without denigrating the heroism of the fighter pilots, Anthony Cumming challenges the effectiveness of the Royal Air Force in 1940 and gives the Royal Navy much greater prominence than others have. He vigorously asserts the ability of British warships to frustrate German plans for Operation Sea Lion and to repel Luftwaffe attacks. The author argues that the RAF took the lion's share of the glory only because its colorful image could easily be used to manipulate American opinion. Cumming contends that the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain should celebrate the contributions of the many rather than focusing on the pilot elite, an assertion certain to provoke discussion.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. ix
Abbreviations	p. xi
Introduction	p. 1
We Can't Simply Swim Over!	p. 8
Bombers versus Battleships	p. 28
Who Won the Battle of Britain?	p. 51
My System May Not Be Perfect	p. 76
Wrong-Way Charlie's Navy	p. 100
Why We Fight? The Battle of Britain	p. 123
Conclusion	p. 150
Successful Anti-Ship Attacks	p. 155
Aircraft and Air Force Personnel Losses	p. 157
Notes	p. 159
Index	p. 191
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