By June 1940, northern France had fallen to German forces and Britain stood alone in Europe against the Nazi onslaught. Hitler's plan was to cripple the RAF in a short sharp atttack and then invade Britain by sea. This attack was to become a long-running and costly battle played in the skies over England. This book asks and answers key questions such as: How did Germany's Messerschmitt fighter compare to the English spitfire? Why did the Luftwaffe fail to win air supremacy? and, What impact did the battle have on British civilians? It explores the strategies, technology and long term consequences of the battle that changed the course of World War II. Panels explaining the role of key players and strategies are scattered throughout as are fascinating photos and maps to illustrate this important part of British history.