This film tells the story of 19 men and women who were there. Through a series of filmed interviews their stories have been preserved, allowing them to tell the part they played in the nation's defence in their own words, creating a unique collection of accounts.

By the end of June 1940, the United Kingdom stood alone. Nazi Germany and her allies had succeeded in conquering the rest of Europe and Hitler ordered his military commanders to force Britain to surrender. Ahead lay a long, hot summer as a battle for national survival was fought in the skies over Britain.

In this programme, we look at the aircraft flown by both sides and at how the battle evolved into four distinct phases, before Hitler turned his attention to the impending invasion of Russia.