Skywatch Volumes 1-2

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Skywatch: A History of the Royal Observer Corps – Volumes 1–2

Skywatch is the definitive history of the Royal Observer Corps, tracing its evolution from its foundation in 1925 to its crucial role in Britain's air defence during the Second World War. Drawing on new research, official records, and firsthand accounts, this richly illustrated two-volume set explores the organisation that became an indispensable part of the RAF's integrated air defence system.

Volume 1 charts the formation and development of the Observer Corps between 1925 and 1939. It examines its origins in the aftermath of the First World War, its expansion during the interwar years, and its growing importance as Britain prepared for the threat of aerial attack. Using newly available research and official files, it reveals how the Corps evolved from a small experimental organisation into a nationwide network ready for war.

Volume 2 covers the Royal Observer Corps throughout the Second World War, from its mobilisation in August 1939 to its stand down in 1945. It examines the Corps' vital contribution during the Battle of Britain and the Blitz, its wartime expansion and professionalisation, the introduction of women observers, the V-1 campaign, preparations for D-Day, and its close cooperation with the RAF. Combining operational history with personal experiences, it provides a detailed account of one of Britain's most important wartime organisations.

Together, these two volumes offer the most comprehensive history of the Royal Observer Corps' formative and wartime years, making them an essential resource for anyone interested in British military history, air defence, the RAF, and the Second World War.