The Junkers 87 Stuka was an iconic weapon of World War Two and an aircraft name that was, and still is, instantly recognised worldwide. Its roles in Poland and the Battles of France and the Low Countries are almost legendary, but in the UK its import during the Battle of Britain is one that has never been covered in any specific detail. Here, Andy Saunders takes a critical look at every operation by Ju87s against British targets in 1940 – including those on land and at sea. Each raid is charted, covering all aspects of the attacks including participants, defending RAF fighters and those on the receiving end. Myth and reality and truth and legend are all examined and analysed in this highly illustrated new book, which adds to our knowledge of one of the most significant periods in the whole of British history.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 224

Dimensions: 170 x 240 mm

Publication Date: 07-10-2019

During the Second World War, Flt Lt Richard Stevens led an extraordinary campaign as an RAF nightfighter. Known to contemporaries as ‘Cat’s Eyes’ and by the height of his success in July 1941 as the ‘Lone Wolf’, Flt Lt Stevens was the RAF’s highest scoring nightfighter pilot with fourteen victories. What makes his story unique is that all this was achieved without the aid of radar or another crew member. Instead Flt Lt Stevens used extraordinary skill, instinct and innate marksmanship. Tragically his success was cut short by his untimely death on the night of 15/16 December 1941 – three days after his DSO was gazetted. The tributes paid to him after his death demonstrate the impact he had upon night fighting. Described as ‘one of the greatest nightfighter pilots who ever fought in Fighter Command’ by Sir Archibald Sinclair, Secretary of State for Air and with Air Vice-Marshal B. E. Embry also crediting ‘his high standard of courage and skill as a nightfighter pilot’ as a contribution to the final defeat of the enemy at night – it is not hard to see why Stevens was greatly admired by his peers. Thanks to over twenty years of painstaking research by Terry Thompson and a rich resource of documentation and photography, Andy Saunders is now able to tell the exceptional story of one of Britain’s finest night-flying pilots of the Second World War. This extraordinary biography will be eagerly devoured by military aviation enthusiasts and students of air warfare and Second World War alike.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 192

Dimensions: 170 x 240 mm

Publication Date: 26-12-2019

During World War Two a great many Luftwaffe aircraft arrived on the ground in the UK or its coastal waters, but, as with Rudolf Hess, not all of them through 'conventional' combat circumstances. Some had got lost, others were brought by defectors; some were lured through electronic countermeasures by the RAF, others brought down in unusual combat circumstances. All manner of types appeared - He111, Go145, Me110, Ju88, Me109 F and G, FW 190, Do 217 - and all were of great interest to the RAF. In some cases aircraft were repaired and test flown, betraying vital and invaluable information. Distinguished author Andy Saunders examines a selection of such fascinating cases and draws upon his own research, interviews, official reports and eye-witness accounts to bring alive these truly unusual accounts, all richly illustrated with contemporary photographs.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 192

Publication Date: 18-07-2014

1940 in the skies over Britain was a time of courage, heroism and extreme danger. Many men gave their lives to keep our island free and some disappeared into the summer sky with no trace of them ever being found.
This remarkable book records the life of a dozen of these pilots shot down and killed but who remained missing for decades until diligent research and searches primarily by the author brought identification to them and closure to their families.
Each case represents a fascinating human story of humour, drama, love and tragedy; and each one represents a startling tale of detective work and remarkable coincidences, oft-times revealing controversy.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 192

Dimensions: 170 x 246 mm

Publication Date: 15-04-2013

The Junkers 87 Stuka was an iconic weapon of World War Two and an aircraft name that was, and still is, instantly recognised worldwide. Its roles in Poland and the Battles of France and the Low Countries are almost legendary, but in the UK its import during the Battle of Britain is one that has never been covered in any specific detail. Here, Andy Saunders takes a critical look at every operation by Ju87s against British targets in 1940 - including those on land and at sea. Each raid is charted, covering all aspects of the attacks including participants, defending RAF fighters and those on the receiving end. Myth and reality and truth and legend are all examined and analysed in this highly illustrated new book, which adds to our knowledge of one of the most significant periods in the whole of British history. Foreword by Dr Hans Migeod, Ju87 Stuka pilot during Battle of Britain.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 192

Dimensions: 170 x 240 mm

Publication Date: 15-04-2013

Publication Date: 01-12-2011

Andy Saunders relates the fascinating story of the recovery of this Battle of France Spitfire Mk1 from the sands of Calais during the early 1980s and its subsequent return to the UK for rebuild and restoration to flying condition. The full history of the airframe from the factory to loss, the aeroplane's operational history with 92 Squadron and the story of the pilots who flew it during its career are also told, as is the unfolding saga of its restoration and return to air - detailing its progress through the workshops right up to the first flight in 2011. Upon completion P9374 will be the earliest mark of Spitfire flying anywhere in the world. It is also intended that this landmark aeroplane will grace many major airshows into the foreseeable future. About the author: Andy Saunders is an eminent and well respected aviation historian with a growing body of acclaimed work to his name - viz Finding the Few, Finding the Foe and Bader's Last Fight amongst others.

Publication Date: 01-05-2012

1940 in the skies over Britain was a time of courage, heroism and extreme danger. Many men gave their lives to keep the island free and some disappeared into the summer sky with no trace of them ever being found. This remarkable book records the life of a dozen of these pilots shot down and killed but who remained missing for decades until diligent research and searches primarily by the author brought identification to them and closure to their families. Each case represents a fascinating human story of humour, drama, love and tragedy; and each one represents a startling tale of detective work and remarkable coincidences, oft-times revealing controversy. Finding the Few ends with a mystery still unsolved, has photographs throughout, and will stand as a fitting testament to those men lost but not forgotten. By the author of Bader's Last Fight and Mannock VC.

Pages: 192

Dimensions: 170 x 246 mm

Publication Date: 30-09-2009

In September 1946, the London Gazette published a despatch from Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh C T Dowding that was titled simply: The Battle of Britain. Written and submitted to the Air Ministry in 1941, this document became the very framework for the accepted Battle of Britain narrative which has been established across the following eighty years. Set out by the leader of the 'Few' himself, its authoritative tone could surely be considered a definitive outline of the battle, how it was fought and the eventual outcome. It even retrospectively set the dates for the commencement and conclusion of the campaign. In this work, Andy Saunders takes a critical look at Dowding's despatch and analyses the facts and details contained in that important document. He also puts 'flesh on the bones' of the matters that the former commander-in-chief of RAF Fighter Command outlines, adding intriguing historical detail and perspective to the 1946 publication. Additionally, Andy looks at the behind-the-scenes machinations at the highest levels of government and Air Ministry before the despatch finally saw the light of day. As a historical document, Dowding's London Gazette despatch is worthy of the critical analysis and factual expansion which the author provides in what is a uniquely different look at the Battle of Britain, with illustrations throughout.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 192

Dimensions: 170 x 240 mm

Publication Date: 09-09-2021