Traditionally, ‘the right of the line’ is the vanguard, the place of honour and greatest danger in battle.

In this history of the Royal Air Force during the European War of 1939-1945, John Terraine shows how the RAF, which in 1939 was small and inadequate for the task it was called upon to perform had, by the end of the war, taken up its proper position.

He describes the build-up to war, the early tests in France and at Dunkirk, the Battle of Britain, the Battle of the Atlantic, the RAF in North Africa, the Mediterranean and the strategic air offensive against Germany that led to eventual victory in Europe.

A mammoth book, this must be the biggest paperback I have ever seen!
Covering the RAF's role in the European air war it also includes RAF Coastal Command's war against the U-Boats and the often overlooked operations in the Mediterranean and Italy. Many people now forget the important part played by the RAF Squadrons here and the numerous operations they flew against Germany.

First published in 1984 this is a welcome reprint for the 70th Anniversary of the RAF's finest hour.
If you only want one book on the history of the RAF in the European air war of WW2 then this is it!

Recommended!