In June 1940, the German Army had brought the rest of Europe to
its knees. 'Hitler knows that he will have to break us in this
island or lose the war. If we can stand up to him, all Europe
may be free and the life of the world will move forward into
broad, sunlit uplands,' said Churchill. The future of Europe
depended on Britain. A self-confident Herman Göring thought that
it would be only a matter of weeks before his planes had forced
Britain to surrender. The courage, resourcefulness and brilliant
organisation of the RAF were to prove him wrong. By late
September 1940, the RAF had proved invincible, thanks to the
Vickers Supermarine Spitfire. It exceeded anything that any
other air force possessed. RJ Mitchell, a shy and almost
painfully modest engineer, was the genius behind the Spitfire.
On the 5th March 1936, following its successful maiden flight, a
legend was born. Prize-winning historian Leo McKinstry's vivid
history of the Spitfire brings together a rich cast of
characters and first hand testimonies.