Tally-Ho: RAF Tactical Leadership in the Battle of Britain, July 1940

The tactical abilities of small unit leaders were critical in winning the Battle of Britain and the many innovations and even experiments which they tried out during the active fighting merit examination. The pre-war Fighter Area Attacks ‒ much beloved of the Air Ministry and founded on the notion that incoming German bombers would be unescorted due to the distance from their German home bases ‒ would prove to be almost totally useless. Nobody then thought France would fall, enabling enemy fighters to be based just across the Channel. Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding built the defensive system and made it work before the war; he also prevented too many fighters from going to France. During the battle he played the strategic role, keeping Fighter Command in business while minimising losses; this was directly related to small British fighter formations, essentially a squadron – any raid would thus be attacked by a number of discrete squadrons – this approach reduced losses and ensured a sequence of attacks. Dowding’s subordinate Group commanders, notably Keith Park of 11 Group, fought the actual tactical battle, deciding every day how many squadrons would be allocated to every raid. The squadron leaders needed to know German bomber formation and type to choose fighter attack methods, and the disposition of German escort fighters. It was a subtle, deadly balancing act to maintain the aggressiveness needed to break up bomber formations and allow follow-up destruction of straggling and struggling machines, yet limit casualties among their own pilots. In July 1940, the author shows how this was achieved ‒ or not achieved. In his analysis Patrick Eriksson is not afraid to say it as he sees it: ‘The British fighters could never have won the Battle if they, like the Germans often did, attacked only when favourable conditions pertained.’

About the Author :
Having retired after a career as a university lecturer in geology, Professor Patrick G. Eriksson has devoted many years to research for this series of books. He returned to primary sources and, crucially, as an associate member of the German Air Force Veteran's Association since 1974, he has interviewed and corresponded with more than a hundred former members of the Luftwaffe, from junior NCOs to Geschwader commanders. Such primary material is unavailable anywhere else and can never be gathered again. He is the author of 'Alarmstart' Vols I, II and III and 'Tally-Ho'.

Review :
'Although tightly packed with information, the book is by no means an academic work, remaining highly readable. It is a welcome addition to the literature on the Battle of Britain.' 'Although Tally-Ho might be a little too detailed for the average enthusiast, it really is a most interesting book, especially for the true connoisseur of aerial warfare.' 'It is a work of almost unbelievable depth of research by a former South African professor of geology, whose insight is quite remarkable.' 'It is probably fair to say that this is a book aimed at those who already have a deep interest in RAF Fighter Command and its operations in the Battle of Britain, but they will discover it to be a rich and rewarding read.' 'The narrative is a very comprehensive account and having access to German archives, the detail and research has been collected over many years by the author. Whilst he does take a more academic approach to his writing, as someone interested in the Battle of Britain I still found this a most interesting read and would be a helpful addition to both researchers and those keen on a deeper understanding of the tactical side.'