Basil Collier Book order

Focusing on the defense of the British Isles during World War II, this volume explores key events such as the Phoney War, the Battle of Britain, and the Blitz. It provides a comprehensive account of military strategies and operations on land, sea, and air, leading up to the eventual victory in Europe. This detailed historical narrative aims to offer insights into the challenges faced by Britain during this tumultuous period.

The book offers a comprehensive examination of intelligence operations during World War II, analyzing both their effective use and potential misapplications. Drawing from extensive original documents and literature, the author presents a well-researched narrative that highlights significant contributions across various phases of the war. The insights provided aim to draw lessons for future security applications, presenting a balanced view of intelligence's role without skewing negatively. Professor Jones praises the author’s judgment and the depth of analysis within a concise format.

The first in the 18-volume Official History of the Second World War covers the defence of the British Isles on land, sea, and in the air. Beginning with disarmament after the Great War in 1918, Basil Collier traces Britain s gradual rearmarment in the face of the renewed threat from Germany. There are chapters on the Phoney war of 1939-40; and on the effects of the disastrous Norway campaign and the Dunkirk evacuation. The Battle of Britain in the summer of 1940 is extensively covered, as is Operation Sealion , Hitler s abortive plan for a seaborne invasion of southern England. Collier describes the Luftwaffe s switch from daytime raids on RAF fiighter stations to night bombing of the cities in the darkest days of the 1940-41 Blitz. He recounts the German bids to blockade Britain, and the energetic measures for home defence - including the formation of the Home Guard - taken by Churchill s government. Finally, the book tells of the terrifying threat from the V1 Flying Bomb or Doodle Bugs ; and Hitler s secret weapons - the V2 rockets launched in the last stages of the war in Europe. Profusely illustrated with 32 maps and 29 photographs, and accompanied by 50 appendices on specialised aspects of the war on the home front.

Reproductions of newspaper articles, military documents, a German propaganda leaflet, combat reports, and other materials help recreate the Battle of Britain.