First of the Few: 5 June - July 1940

During the Battle of France, the handful of RAF squadrons were heavily engaged. The Luftwaffe commenced raids over England and during July, German aircraft were harrying shipping in the Channel. Many of the RAF aircrews experiencing combat for the first time survived as the 'first of the few' to participate in the forthcoming defense of Britain - the Battle of Britain. This volume covers the story of the RAF fighting in France in June 1940; the author's earlier publication entitled Twelve Days in May, covered the period 10-21 May. This account excludes the epic story of the fighting over Dunkirk during the evacuation, 27 May-4 June, which has been adequately covered elsewhere, but otherwise continues the story of RAF and Luftwaffe operations up to the eve of the 'official' start of Battle of Britain, 10 July