[Brian Bines]

In 2009 terms the ''Battle of Britain'' may seem over the top since no German troops invaded this country, those whoes own countries were occupied may also find the description too dramatic. But to those of my fathers generation they remember post Dunkirk as a time when Britain was on its knees. The Press had built up the German war machine as unbeatable, and people had visions of thousands of German paratroopers landing, being quickly supported by thousands of troops and tanks from an invasion fleet. Amongst all this the voice of Churchill and his speeches were a major part of keeping morale high, plus the visible actions of Fighter Command albeit with the Press hyping up claims of Luftwaffe losses. In one article a soldier in training noted in his barracks there were posters of a German paratrooper looking like superman loaded with weapons with the caption 'Make Sure He Dies For His Country'. The guy said rather than inspiring confidece it was demoralising to think he could be facing such a foe.
Had the Air battle Over Britain ended in an outright victory for the Luftwaffe their would have been no subsequent bases for the US forces to operate from. Whatever is now seen as the outcome of summer 1940 ie victory of Fighter command, defeat of the Luftwaffe or a stalemate the events laid the basis for the chain of events leading to the ultimate Allied victory.