Churchill's Few (Hardback)

In Churchill’s Few,  renowned Battle of Britain historian Andy Saunders highlights the individual stories of more than 50 airmen – some famous, others lesser-known, some of whom made the ultimate sacrifice – through wartime photographs and short narratives. It includes an introduction explaining the official requirements to qualify for the accolade of being a Battle of Britain airman.  Also listed are the aerial victories officially given for each man by the Air Ministry in records now held by the Ministry of Defence’s Air Historical Branch.

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On 20 August 1940, the Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, rose to his feet in the House of Commons to give a speech on the war situation. Fierce aerial combats were still raging overhead, which justifiably drew comment from the British leader. ‘The great air battle which has been in progress over this Island for the last few weeks has recently attained a high intensity,’ he declared.

Almost certainly aware that what came to be known as the Battle of Britain had yet to run its course, Churchill went on say a few words that today rank as perhaps the most famous he ever uttered: ‘Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.’ Churchill was, of course, paying to tribute to all of the pilots and aircrew in the RAF, but ever since that speech his reference to the ‘Few’ has been used as a term of endearment for the men of Fighter Command.

Much has been written about this gallant band of airmen who flew and fought in the Battle of Britain across the decades since 1940. Indeed, a total of 2,946 pilots and aircrew participated in the air war over the British Isles during 1940, in so doing gaining entitlement to the Battle of Britain Clasp. Over 500 of them lost their lives.

In this book, the author does not set out to repeat the many biographical works which have gone before. Rather, he intends to shine a spotlight on a number of these pilots and aircrew – some famous, others less so. Each airman is represented by relevant wartime photographs, all supported with a short narrative that includes fascinating details about each individual.

Churchill’s Few looks at who some of these Battle of Britain airmen were and pays tribute to their valour – and, in some cases, sacrifice.