Dowdings Despatch, Andy Saunders
Dowdings Despatch, Andy Saunders
List: $19.99 | Sale: $13.99
Club: $9.99

Dowding's Despatch
The Leader of the Few’s 1941 Battle of Britain Narrative Examined

Author: Andy Saunders

Narrator: Jonathan Cowley

Unabridged: 7 hr 46 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 12/14/2021


Synopsis

In September 1946, the London Gazette published a dispatch from Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh C T Dowding that was titled simply: The Battle of Britain. Written and submitted to the Air Ministry in 1941, this document became the very framework for the accepted Battle of Britain narrative which has been established across the following eighty years. Set out by the leader of the "Few" himself, its authoritative tone could surely be considered a definitive outline of the battle, how it was fought and the eventual outcome. It even retrospectively set the dates for the commencement and conclusion of the campaign.

In this work, Andy Saunders takes a critical look at Dowding's dispatch and analyzes the facts and details contained in that important document. He also puts "flesh on the bones" of the matters that the former commander-in-chief of RAF Fighter Command outlines, adding intriguing historical detail and perspective to the 1946 publication. Additionally, Andy looks at the behind-the-scenes machinations at the highest levels of government and Air Ministry before the dispatch finally saw the light of day. As a historical document, Dowding's London Gazette dispatch is worthy of the critical analysis and factual expansion which the author provides in what is a uniquely different look at the Battle of Britain.

About Andy Saunders

Andy Saunders has been involved with historic aviation for over thirty-five years and is well known in the aircraft preservation and restoration field. His specialist area of interest is in the air war over Europe, 1939-1945. One of the cofounders of Tangmere Aviation Museum, and its first curator, Andy is also respected as a serious researcher, author, and editor and is a prolific contributor to the aviation press. He is passionate about flying and history, regularly travelling in search of historic aircraft and artifacts. He also acts as adviser or consultant to film and television companies and was past editor of Britain at War.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Boudewijn on June 22, 2020

The dramatic and unforgettable story of eight young Americans who joined Britain's Royal Air Force, disregarding their country's neutrality laws and risking their citizenship. In a few months they became highly skilled and helped England win the Battle of Britain. Alex Kershaw manages to tell a rivet......more

Goodreads review by 'Aussie Rick' on December 03, 2009

I picked up a copy of this book at the airport in Singapore a few years back and read it cover to cover by the time my plane had landed at Sydney airport in Australia. A pretty good book covering the exploits of a number of American pilots who joined the Royal Air Force and its fighter squadrons dur......more

Goodreads review by David on June 23, 2023

"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few." These words of tribute were spoken by Winston Churchill in the summer of 1940, after the most harrowing and decisive day of combat in the Battle of Britain. The "few" were the pilots of the RAF who fought and refueled, tak......more

Goodreads review by Michael on March 01, 2013

There are three groups of Americans who went to World War II long before the U.S. entered the war. First there was a group of Chinese American pilots from Eugene, Oregon who travelled to China and flew against the Japanese. Almost nothing has been written about these brave Americans. Then there was......more

Goodreads review by Patrick on February 20, 2017

This is a very good read.If your interested in The Battle of Britain you should check this out. 7 brave American's choose to ignore america's neutrality and face arrest to help Britain in her hour of need.True hero's.......more