Abstract
As discussed in Chapter 4, 1941 was undoubtedly the most critical single year in shaping the actual sense of the Battle and thence defining the period in which it was fought, but the task of adding colour and nuanced tones which were neither too triumphal nor self-effacing, fell to those employed to work creatively in support of the war effort. Once established as a decisive event it was easier to reinforce what had been affirmed soon after the Battle itself, few if any at that time willing or inclined to do other than project positive messages about the ‘fighter boys’ during 1940. This had everything to do with a fervent wish to make a useful contribution to the war effort — artists, writers and other creatively-minded individuals otherwise unable to contribute except perhaps as Home Guard or ARP personnel.
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Notes
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© 2015 Garry Campion
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Campion, G. (2015). ‘Immortal Few’: Heroising the Fighter Boys, 1942–1945. In: The Battle of Britain, 1945–1965. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137316264_6
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