In the summer of 1940, the fate of Britain hung in the balance. In an attempt to invade, Germany was to suffer its first defeat in a desperate struggle that took place in the sky over southern England; that struggle became known as 'The Battle of Britain'. The battle lasted from 10 July to 31 October, during which time the balance of the war rested on the edge of a knife as Fighter Command and the Luftwaffe fought for supremacy over the very fields of England.In this lavishly illustrated guide, each step of the battle is examined, along with the key players and strategies that saw Britain rise triumphant in this most vital stage of the Second World War.