011266 - RAF FIGHTER COMMAND: Defence of the Realm 1936 - 1945

By Ron Mackay and Mike Bailey

RAF Fighter Command’s brief was to provide an effective aerial barrier to any attempt at domination of British skies. 

The aircraft and technical resources on hand between 1936 and the Second World War’s initiation were thankfully improved to a level that was barely sufficient to withstand the hitherto unchallengeable Luftwaffe’s advance across western Europe. 

Between 1940 and 1942, Fighter Command generally found itself on the backfoot in terms of overall success. The introduction of aircraft designs that would change the situation, however costly, in its ultimate favour featured prominently from the midpoint of the war. 

The Luftwaffe found itself being challenged and regularly bested around the clock and by the advent of D-Day, the Command’s efforts had materially contributed to the Allied surge that had placed its adversary on a permanent downward spiral towards extinction. 

Profusely illustrated with many rare and unpublished photographs, RAF Fighter Command: ‘Defence of the Realm’ 1936-1945 tells the complete story from near defeat to total and crushing victory.