Product Description

Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh - later Lord - Dowding was one of the greatest Englishmen of the 20th century. He created Fighter Command with its unique early warning system (radar) from nothing in 1936 to the efficient defensive force it became in 1940. In consequence Fighter Command was the only arm that was properly prepared for battle when war was declared against Germany. Hugh Dowding led Fighter Command in the Battle of Britain, and was victorious. The campaign, although a series of defensive engagements, was one of the decisive battles of Western Civilization.

The strategic importance of the Battle of Britain was recognized at the time, yet, the moment it was won Dowding was summarily relieved of his command and shuffled into retirement without recognition, reward or promotion. This book reveals that this was the result of a shabby conspiracy by fellow officers. The Air Ministry published a brief account of the Battle in March 1941 and in it there was no mention of Dowding. Churchill was furiously indignant. But in November 1940 he had acquiesced in Dowding's removal. Why? And what are the factors that led to Dowding's dismissal in the first place? In this thought-provoking and authoritative book Jack Dixon answers these questions and explains Dowding's true greatness.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #130130 in Books
• Published on: 2008-11-19
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 320 pages

Customer Reviews

Simply the "definitive" work on Dowdings removal from office.
Next year, 2010 will be the 40th anniversary of Lord Dowding of Bentley Priorys' death. Many aspects of this great mans' life have remained unanswered, the most long standing being the reasons for Dowdings' removal from office in November, 1940. Jack Dixons' fascinating book goes a long way to answering these thorny questions, principally by fragmenting the existing jigsaw puzzle and reasembling it so the overall picture is a lot clearer. The jealousies and clash of personalities are explained. The unpallatable truth that the long standing Trenchard Doctrine was fundamentaly flawed, proved beyound doubt by Dowding and certainly through no fault of his own. The obsessive ambitions of certain high ranking RAF officers and politicians, stood in the way of Dowding getting Fighter Command to the standards' he so wished for, to defend this country, as the home base for the eventual offensive against Germany. Few of his contemporaries had the vision and forsight of Dowding, Sholto-Douglas, Leigh-Mallory and Arthur Harris come under scrutany, and are found wanting, both as professionals and decent human beings. Churchills' blindness to Sinclairs attempts to remove Dowding from his post as early as July, 1940 proves even the greatest of men can have the wool pulled over their eyes. Throughout this book it is evident Dowding was virtually always right on important policy and the Air Ministry and Air Staff through ignorance and "bloody mindedness" were wrong. With the lack of written primary sources covering some aspects of these questions has been difficult but Dixon establishes sound theories for certain subjects, such as why Dowding was never made a Marshal of the Royal Air Force. A great read, and highly recommended.

A Well-Researched Book
There have been four books about Dowding published in the last few years. This one is very well researched, and throws a little nore light on "the dark side of the Battle of Britain". At times it is an easy read, but there are sections which are not so easy. Until the last few years there were really only two decent biographies of this man who was, to my mind, as great a commander as any other in the 20th Century; these other biographies being Basil Collier's and Robert Wright's. Both of these earlier biographies shed light on the shabby way in which a "grateful country" treated its deliverer, but this book is relatively non-partisan, and gives a more balanced view.

The Truth about Dowding...at Last
This is one of the best researched books about Lord Dowding. It is a page-turner...I simply couldn't put it down. It was well-documented with detail concerning the principal players involved in Dowding's removal, after the Battle of Britain ended. The truth as revealed in its pages will be hard to refute by the Bader, Douglas, and Leigh-Mallory devotees. Unless there is more hidden by the British government not yet revealed, this work should stand for decades to come as the definitive source for information on how shabby Lord Dowding was treated, and yet, how brilliant he was, as a strategist, tactician, and commander during Britain's darkest days. Great Britain should be thankful for men like Dowding, who was instrumental in saving the situation. My highest recommendation.