It fully warrants this status, which is reflected in the unending stream of studies of it.
This study by Claasen is devoted to the contributions of New Zealand and Australian airmen. During the battle, 134 Kiwis and 37 Aussies flew for Fighter Command.
Of the nearly 3000 Allied airmen who took part, New Zealand supplied the second-largest foreign contingent, after Poland.
It forms part of the Anzac Battles series, and covers the background, motivation and record of the most prominent Anzacs over Br
The effective "Few" were even fewer than is generally realised. The seven Kiwi aces (with more than five victims to their credit) accounted for nearly 40% of New Zealand claims while the six Aussie aces accounted for barely 60% of theirs.
Fighter aces were born and not made. But extravagant luck was needed too. Most fighter pilots died on their first couple of missions, so did not live to become aces.
They were so undertrained and underprepared they were lambs to the slaughter.
Claasen tells as many of their stories as he can, given the confines of a 200-page book. They did not find it easy to qualify as pilots in the economic hardship of the 1930s, and generally had to make it to Britain at their own expense.
They represented many types, but all were united by their youthful fascination with flying.
The influence of the Biggles books is mentioned here.
They began as sportsmen, as naive innocents, but soon toughened up when they saw their mates burning to death or being machine-gunned as they descended below their parachutes.
There is an important section on the New Zealand plastic surgeon Archibald McIndoe and his pioneering work on saving hideously disfigured aircrew.
Overseeing them all was the man who has been described as the New Zealander who has had, the greatest impact on world history: Air Vice-marshal Keith Park.
That is some claim, when you think about it. This book will encourage readers to seek out Vincent Orange's account of a remarkable man.
Park was commander of the fighter group responsible for southeast England, the area closest to Europe and the German bases. He was described by an English ace as the man who could have lost the war in an afternoon.
His reward from his jealous colleagues was to be sidelined and effectively demoted. This aspect of the book is a drama within a drama.
If it was any consolation to Park in his decades of retirement and obscurity back in New Zealand, informed comment since the war has overwhelmingly endorsed his performance. His statue now stands in London as a permanent memorial to him.
Claasen has written a valuable contribution to the literature on the Battle of Britain. What courage they all showed.
• Dogfight will be released on November 5
Oliver Riddell is a Wellington writer.
