Facebook X YouTube Instagram Pinterest NetGalley
Google Books previews are unavailable because you have chosen to turn off third party cookies for enhanced content. Visit our cookies page to review your cookie settings.

Dornier Do 17 in the Battle of Britain (Hardback)

The 'Flying Pencil' in the Spitfire Summer

Aviation > Aircraft > Spitfires & Hurricanes Aviation > Royal Air Force Aviation > WWII > Battle of Britain Aviation > WWII > Luftwaffe

By Chris Goss
Imprint: Air World
Pages: 232
Illustrations: 200 b/w illustrations
ISBN: 9781526781208
Published: 16th January 2023

in_stock

£17.50 was £25.00

You save £7.50 (30%)


You'll be £17.50 closer to your next £10.00 credit when you purchase Dornier Do 17 in the Battle of Britain. What's this?
+£4.50 UK Delivery or free UK delivery if order is over £40
(click here for international delivery rates)

Need a currency converter? Check XE.com for live rates

Other formats available - Buy the Hardback and get the eBook for £1.99! Price
Dornier Do 17 in the Battle of… ePub (202.9 MB) Add to Basket £4.99


During Britain’s desperate struggle for survival that in the summer of 1940, the Dornier Do 17 played a prominent part in raids designed at neutralising the RAF’s ability to resist and the British people’s will to fight back. Having been built to outrun contemporary fighters when introduced into the Luftwaffe in 1937, it had become the Luftwaffe’s main light bomber, and for the attack against Britain, three bomber wings, KG 2, KG3 and KG77, were equipped with the Do 17. But by 1940, the Do 17 was nearing obsolescence and, with its weak defensive armament, it fell prey to Fighter Command’s Hurricanes and Spitfires.

Its vulnerability was starkly revealed on 18 August 1940, when eight Dorniers were shot down and nine damaged in attacks on RAF Kenley, and on 15 September – Battle of Britain Day – when twenty were shot down and a further thirteen damaged. On that day, Sergeant Ray Holmes rammed his Hurricane into a Do 17 that was reportedly aiming for Buckingham Palace. Part of the bomber’s wreckage fell to earth near Victoria Station.

In this comprehensive pictorial record of the Do 17, the bomber’s role throughout the period of the Battle of Britain is displayed in the author’s unique collection of British and German photographs. These photographs, coupled with first-hand stories from those who flew and those who fought against the Do 17, bring those desperate days and dark nights back to life in the manner which only contemporary images and accounts can achieve.

"The excellent paper shows the photographs in detail. Most of the photographs have captions of 60-100 words that contain excellent detail."

The Journal of the Air Force Historical Foundation

This book contains a wealth of inspiring images that can be used to create a fantastic diorama. With the first-hand accounts that bring the imagery to life, it is a must-have for anyone who models World War II German aircraft.

A fascinating and memorable read. A highly recommended book.

Read the full review here

Vintage Airfix

Featured in

The Armourer - June 2023

As featured

Wings Museum Website

As featured on Army Rumour Service

Army Rumour Service (ARRSE)

As Featured In

Model Aircraft Monthly, December 2021

About Chris Goss

After a 32-year career in the RAF and three years working for a civilian company as its Head of Operations, Chris Goss is now a full-time aviation author and military historian. He is the author of over 40 critically acclaimed books covering aspects of the World War II air war over North- West Europe. He is a historical consultant for a number of major projects, such as the recovery of the Dornier 17 by the RAF Museum and Commonwealth War Graves Commission, and for TV channels such as The History Channel and Channel 5's The Battle of Britain: 3 Days that Saved a Nation.

Perfect Partner

DORNIER Do 17 The Luftwaffe's 'Flying Pencil' Rare Luftwaffe Photographs From Wartime Collections (Paperback)

For the first three years of the Second World War, the Dornier Do 17 was the Luftwaffe’s principal light bomber. Designed to be fast enough to outrun contemporary fighter aircraft, the Dornier helped to spearhead Germany’s Blitzkrieg as Hitler’s armies raced through Poland and then France and the Low Countries. Until its withdrawal to secondary duties in 1941, the Dornier Do 17 served in every theatre of war involving German forces. This included the invasion of the Balkans and Greece as well as the battle to capture Crete. After suffering heavy losses at the hands of Fighter Command in…

By Chris Goss

Click here to buy both titles for £27.99
More titles by Chris Goss

Customers who bought this title also bought...

Other titles in Air World...