"...a valuable contribution to the historiography of World War II and the challenges of rearmament during the interwar period. Phillips’ analysis is rigorous and well-supported, and his insights are likely to be of interest to scholars and general readers alike."

History: Review of New Books

Looks at the methodologies – or lack of them – that led to the force-structure requirements and threat projections that set the direction of RAF rearmament, as expressed in these modernization plans, in the critical prewar years.

The NYMAS Review

This is a book for anyone with an interest in the history of the RAF and the Second World War.

Journal of Military History

The chapters analysing the relationship between the wider government and the Air Ministry are the most engaging. They provide a real depth of understanding of the dynamics at play between the two.

From Balloons to Drones.

As Featured in.

The Aviation Historian Jan 2023 Issue No.42

"Makes a substantial contribution to the historiography of the period."

RAF Historical Society Journal

Highly recommended to those interested in the how personalities affect doctrine and technology.

Air & Space Power History

This book provides in depth analysis on the extent to which the RAF was ready for war, and how this was crucial to Britain’s ability to response to German aggression prior to war breaking out when it did.  The book develops how decisions made at the top to ultimately step the RAF position in 1940.  The book itself goes far beyond the story of the Battle of Britain, and develops how in order to defend Britain from attack, crucial decisions had to be made during peace time, before any combat had taken place.

Jon Sandison

"Rearming the RAF is meticulously researched. An intriguing read......"

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Australian Naval Institute

This is a subject that's close to my heart - my Dad was in a reserved occupation during the war, working in the Gloster Aircraft Factory to provide armaments for the British forces, in particular the air force.

Books Monthly

I have to say what a fascinating book and the subject I find is so interesting. Primarily this is a book that looks at the competition and infighting in and amongst the RAF, but not only that, but also the unnecessary fighting with the other arms of the armed forces and other organisations. Quite a bit of the book revolves around what the RAF stood for or what it wanted to concentrate on, for example, it was torn between infighting over whether to concentrate on prioritising small fighter aircraft of big heavy bombers. Basically, it’s like having a kitchen and someone has employed a lot of chefs and they all have to try and work together with the right menu.

A very good book and quite thought-provoking and sometimes I was left thinking how on earth did the RAF succeed, but I really enjoyed reading it because there was lots of research and because it made me think. Plus I’m not sure the average joe in the street realises this was how the armed forces were run, we never hear about this in the mainstream media. A blinking good read by author Adrian Phillips, one I most certainly recommend.


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The History Fella

A compelling, sometimes shocking and always thought provoking description of what happens when blind prejudice, bureaucratic infighting and ill-formed theories are allowed to determine defence policy, equipment procurement and the security of the nation.

Robert Lyman, author of 'A War of Empires: Japan, India, Burma & Britain: 1941-45'

A detailed and highly readable account of how the RAF became obsessed with the bomber in the decades before the Second World War, yet even after six years of continual expansion Bomber Command was unable to mount a credible offensive against Germany in 1940. Adrian Phillips skilfully uses archival sources to show how the clash of personalities inside Whitehall combined with false orthodoxies within the Air Ministry to leave Britain with no counter to Hitler's Luftwaffe - except, almost by accident, the Spitfires and Hurricanes of Fighter Command.

Brett Holman, author of 'The Next War in the Air: Britain's Fear of the Bomber, 1908–1941'