Phoenix: Duel of Eagles The Struggle for the Skies from the First World War to the Battle of Britain

by Townsend, Peter

• ISBN13: 9781842122112
• ISBN10: 1842122118
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-06-30
• Publisher: Phoenix

Summary

In honor of the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, return to the exciting first days of air warfare and see how these early events ultimately shaped this seminal struggle. A stirring survey--led by a pilot who himself took part in the conflict--traces the battle's background from the defeat and destruction of the Kaiser's air force to the long days of 1940 when Spitfires and Messerschmitts fought to the death over England. The colorful, dramatic, and evocative stories tell of dogfights in the sky, ruthless political maneuvers, legendary heroes (like the "Red Baron")--and then show how all this led to the furious air combat that saved Britain from German invasion.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	xiii
Prologue 3 February 1940	1	(2)
The Fledgling Years	3	(26)
The Dawn of Peace	29	(58)
Gathering Strength	87	(92)
Baptism of Fire	179	(70)
Overture	249	(58)
The Attack	307	(112)
Epilogue	419	(6)
Appendix	425	(16)
Index	441