“Nothing great will ever be achieved without great men, and men are great only if they are determined to be so”, said Charles de Gaulle – Winston Churchill’s brother in arm during World War II. Resilience is the common thread of Martin Dugard’s new book Taking London: Winston Churchill and the Fight to Save Civilization (Dutton).

While de Gaulle escaped France with only 2 suitcases aboard the RAF plane that flew him into history on June 17, 1940, Churchill wasn’t much more gifted politically when he was asked to become Prime Minister a month earlier. The author reminds the reader that he was the second choice to occupy the role and that he had “no political currency beyond his words and beliefs.”

Yet, he had to keep the country – and the free world – safe from the claws of Nazism. Alone. A longtime admirer and promoter of the Royal Navy – which ruled the waves for centuries – Churchill had no choice but to realize that Nelson’s heirs couldn’t save Britain. Along with his legendary courage, the Royal Air Force was his only asset.

On that path, he could count on another larger than life and controversial figure, Air Marshal Hugh “Stuffy” Dowding, to protect the British skies from the Luftwaffe. During the Battle of France, “Churchill is determined to give the French what they want.” Dowding can’t spare those Hurricanes and Spitfires, since “Hitler’s Luftwaffe outnumbers the Royal Air Force in fighters, bombers, and pilots by a ratio of almost three to one.” Churchill’s “faith in the French is misplaced” and the Air Marshal won’t put any gloves to tell him. The War Cabinet discards the plan. Despite ruffling his boss’ feathers, he would become close friends and partners with the Prime Minister, a pivotal relationship that proved instrumental. The ferocious battle of attrition waged by the Luftwaffe against the RAF could begin. Its outcome would determine if Nazi troops could invade Britain.

Martin Dugard explains the development of the Dowding System, while also explaining that a potential failure might have offered the victory to the Germans. But the men and the machines proved up to the task. Had Britain not switched to “Spitfires and Hurricanes, German bombers would [have ruled] the British skies.” As for the men who strapped themselves in the planes, well, they were nothing if not legendary. The readers will meet Peter Townsend, the flying ace who was later to be romantically involved with Princess Margaret. But that’s another story. There’s also the legendary Squadron Leader Roger Bushell – Roger Bartlett in the movie The Great Escape who was shot down at Dunkirk. But one of the most inspiring characters might be pilot Richard Hillary, who returned to flight status after severe burns inflicted while being shut down by a Messerschmitt Bf109. Martin Dugard shares that “the rebellious pilot’s confidence never left him, and despite his disfiguration” he notably entered in a romantic relationship with a Hollywood actress.

The bestselling author also evokes one of Winston Churchill’s most inspiring qualities. His loyalty. Even when Neville Chamberlain’s fate was sealed, he showed consideration to his political nemesis, even bringing him into his War Cabinet “as a show of respect and to maintain Conservative Party unity.” In a world distinguished by an ability to go to the jugular, Churchill was an exception – probably because his nature and path distanced him from partisan politics.

I hope the author will forgive me, but his “childhood fascination for all things epic and British” – something for which he needs to be applauded – seems to denote a deep admiration for the British Crown. Apart from this digression, it is fascinating to read that 14 years old Princess Elizabeth is asked by her father to address the children of the realm who had to endure those incessant night attacks from the air and who, just like herself, are separated from their parents. The Battle of Britain was a life-transforming experience for the future Queen.

Ultimately, “Dowding’s tactics won the Battle of Britain”, giving his Prime Minister the chance to carry on the long road to victory. I therefore don’t think it would be exaggerated to place him equal to Churchill as the hero of that saga.

I could not conclude this review without commenting on what I like the most with Martin Dugard’s style as an author. Time and again, he offers details that enhance the experience and knowledge of the reader. For example, he explains that the RAF blue (azure) fabric was initially “intended for export to Russia for use by Czar Nicholas’ cavalrymen”, but that it was put to good use after the order was cancelled because of the 1917 Revolution. Thrifty as they are, the British were not to miss an opportunity to put it to good use.

Right from the start of the war, Winston Churchill knew that the United States and FDR had to be brought on board if victory was to be envisioned. The author evokes the relationship between the Prime Minister and the President, notably revealing that the latter possessed “a strong dislike for reading books”, which goes totally against the impression I had before reading the book.

In the footsteps of Taking Paris and Taking Berlin, Taking London is an enthralling page-turner brilliantly unveiling why and how Winston Churchill and Air Marshal Dowding prevailed during the Battle of Britain, whose anniversary we commemorate today.

Taking Midway can’t land on the bookshelves soon enough…

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Martin Dugard, Taking London: Winston Churchill and the Fight to Save Civilization, New York, Dutton, 2024, 352 pages.