THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN 1940 (Vol 1)
Audiobook CD on CD41 label
ISBN: 978-0-9554335-2-8

Largely unheard for more than sixty years, these fascinating broadcast and actuality recordings were made between June 1940 and July 1941, and provide a unique first-hand insight into the Battle of Britain through talks by pilots of Fighter Command and war correspondent dispatches. The extended CD runs for 76 minutes and includes a detailed booklet, featuring archive images and historical notes by James Hayward. To read liner notes and recording information click here. To purchase CD click here


THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN (Vol 1) CD41-021 £10
This extended 76 minute audiobook CD features complete and unedited radio talks by eight RAF fighter pilots including Richard Hillary, Bob Stanford Tuck, Don Kingaby, G.E.B. Stoney, H.M. Stephen, J.W.C. Simpson, and J.B. Nicolson, the latter describing the action on 16 August 1940 which lead to his being awarded the Victoria Cross. Also included are live broadcast reports by Charles Gardner (14 July) and Robin Duff (14 August), the celebrated Midnight News bulletin by Alvar Liddell of 15 September, and extracts from two landmark speeches by Winston Churchill ('Their finest hour...' and 'Never in the field of human conflict...'). The CD also features the stirring Spitfire Prelude and Fugue by William Walton, written for the film The First of the Few (1942). The booklet features archive images and detailed historical notes. Full tracklist: Spitfire Prelude; Winston Churchill - Their Finest Hour; J.W.C. Simpson - Baling Out Over Worthing; Charles Gardner - Air Battle Off Dover; G.E.B. Stoney - Stuka Attack on Dover; H.M. Stephen - Five in a Single Day; Robin Duff - Air Battle Above Dover; J.B. Nicolson - Figher Command VC; actuality - Air Battle Above Crowborough; D.E. Kingaby - The 109 Specialist; Alvar Liddell - Midnight News; fighter pilot - Dogfight With Italian Biplanes; Robert Stanford Tuck - Fighter Pilot; Richard Hillary - Shot Down; Winston Churchill - Never in the field of human conflict; Spitfire Fugue.

Reviews: "Fascinating - the content is very absorbing, and certain to please historic aviation enthusiasts" (Flypast, 04/07); "Good stuff" (BBC History Magazine); "Original wartime recordings, with a generous playing time. Recommended" (Best of British)

...
Several other recordings and interviews with Fighter Command pilots made between 1939-1941 are featured on our audiobook CDs The Blitz (Vol 1) and Dunkirk and the Battle of France and Flanders. Please click on the links below for further details.

Go to Battle of Britain (Vol 1) CD liner notes
Go to Blitz (Vol 1) CD information
Go to Dunkirk CD information

Go to shop/mailorder
Return to CD41 homepage