Eagle Days: Life and Death for the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by edwest2

I would caution about pessimism now that the veterans have passed.

Personally I’m not pessimistic. I just accept that it’s documents and archaeology from now on.

[John Vasco]

Chapter 2 read.

Polish campaign with extracts from several letters.

If you know about the Polish campaign...

[FalkeEins]

I'm not saying she has no business writing about the BoB. There's a myriad of other BoB titles in the pipeline no doubt: there'll almost certainly be books on the 90th and then the 100th, even the 150th anniversaries. What I am taking issue with is her publisher's claim of new insights, that her book is a 'must-read', that the material has not been exploited in this way before etc

[edwest2]

Originally Posted by FalkeEins

I'm not saying she has no business writing about the BoB. There's a myriad of other BoB titles in the pipeline no doubt: there'll almost certainly be books on the 90th and then the 100th, even the 150th anniversaries. What I am taking issue with is her publisher's claim of new insights, that her book is a 'must-read', that the material has not been exploited in this way before etc

As a working book editor, I can say that some publishers are honest in their descriptions, while others make use of what Americans call hype. Keep in mind that among specialists, such gross overstatements are obvious. Annoyingly so.
But the intended audience is the general public.

In Britain, the diaries and stories passed on encourage others to remind, and remind again, others of the victory achieved. To pass this on to new generations. In America, peerage does not exist. At one time, American children were taught
about their ancestors and relatives. I certainly was. That has waned over the last 40 years.

I must commend whoever came up with this book's title. Such things require a bit of thought. In this case, both the intellect and emotions need to be engaged. The specialist views such things through a different lens than the average buyer.
Those whose lived experience is far removed from the time need to be inspired as well as reminded about an important event in their nation's history that will live on forever.

[John Vasco]

Cannot disagree with anything you say in the above post, Ed.

Chapter 3 read.

'The phoney war' with extracts from several letters and quotes from various people.

Still not a single mention of the Battle of Britain...

[Chris Goss]

What about photos John Anything new and their source?

[John Vasco]

Originally Posted by Chris Goss

What about photos John Anything new and their source?

Some new, general, ones. A couple of well-known 109 photos and a couple I had not seen before, and a well-known photo (to me) of aircrew with a 2./ZG 26 Bf 110 in the background.

[John Vasco]

Chapter 4 read.

Denmark and Norwegian campaign. For anyone who has read up on this north European campaign, I do not see anything new. The usual quotes from letters of completely unknown people writing home, with no connection to the BoB, and also from the odd aircrew and 'higher-ups'.

[John Vasco]

Chapter 5 read

The Western Campaign from 10th May.

Page 79: 'The Bf 110 Zerstörer (Destroyer) - a twin-engined fighter that had previously seen great success in Poland, Denmark and Norway - numbered around 350 at the beginning of Case Yellow; by the start of Dynamo, its units had lost more than 40 per cent of the operationally ready Bf 110s.'

So, 40% of 350 = 140 Bf 110s LOST.

The start of Case Yellow was 10th May; the start of 'Dynamo' was 26th May, so the pertinent dates are 10th May to 25th May.

The information I have regarding losses & damaged encompassing those two dates is as follows:
70 Bf 110s 100% write off
26 Bf 110s damaged but repairable
7 Bf 110s damaged state not known.

My loss/damage figures for Bf 110s from 10th May to 25th May include those in the far north of Europe, not involved in the Western Camapign.
Even allowing for a certain number being under service on 10th May (and therefore not 'combat-ready'), the statement of 40% losses is simply wrong. 140 Bf 110 losses, or thereabouts, is totally incorrect. The reference for this information is 'Ibid', and given there are copious entries in 'Further notes and References', I haven't a clue who she is referencing for this information.
What annoys me is that people will read this kind of thing and take it as 'gospel' because Dr. Taylor has written it.

In this chapter it's the same old same old. Quotes from unknown soldiers, the odd quote from aircrew. Battle of Britain? Don't be silly...

[FalkeEins]

John, thanks for the update, following with interest. Five chapters in already. Hopefully not a potential prelude to referencing the 'so-called' BoB.

Ed, thanks for your post #94, I appreciate your explanation and perspective...