July – September 1940 Battle of Britain
France had fallen in June of 1940 and now Britain was left to face the brunt of the Axis powers alone at least until the United States would enter the war after the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, HI and Germany declared war on the United States.
Through the heroic efforts at Dunkirk and the evacuation of the bulk of the British Expeditionary Force much of the British armed forces remained intact but without much heavy equipment which they were forced to leave behind.
Churchill knew that Great Britain would be Hitler’s next target and attempted to prepare the British people for the upcoming invasion with this speech in June of 1940.
Through the heroic efforts at Dunkirk and the evacuation of the bulk of the British Expeditionary Force much of the British armed forces remained intact but without much heavy equipment which they were forced to leave behind.
Churchill knew that Great Britain would be Hitler’s next target and attempted to prepare the British people for the upcoming invasion with this speech in June of 1940.
Hitler had hoped that with the quick fall of France that Britain knowing they are alone now in this struggle would sue for peace and he would not have to confront them. This hope quickly vanished as the new Prime Minister Winston Churchill reasserted that Britain was determined to resist the Axis. Realizing he would have to deal with the British Hitler devised Operation Sea Lion an invasion plan to conquer the British. Hitler realized that the Royal Air Force had been responsible for some of his largest losses so far wished to neutralize this threat before sending in ground troops in an amphibious landing.
What would follow would be nearly a four month long battle in the air. The German planes were to bomb the British into the submission and the British defended by mounting an impressive aerial defense and developing new technology such as Radio Direction Finding (RADAR). This would be one of the most valuable technologies aside from the Atom Bomb to be discovered during the war and would assist the Allies in both naval and air battles. Radar was essential to the defense of Britain. Created by the Commander of the Royal Air Force Hugh Dowding who incorporated it into a system of early warning techniques designed to provide advance warning of a German air raid along with ground observers, raid plotting and radio control of aircraft which became known as the Dowding System.
The Luftwaffe under Goring’s control promised Hitler a quick victory but failed to deliver on that promise. On August 18th both sides take their highest losses in regards to planes and pilots in what is now referred to as “The Hardest Day” with the British losing 26 aircraft and 10 pilots and the Germans losing 71. Goring was able to damage a large portion of the British airfields but failed to cripple the Royal Air Force as promised.
Hitler changed tactics after this defeat and instead of going after the Royal Air Force he chose to target factories in addition to airfields in an attempt to cripple British industry which was producing munitions and supplies for the war effort. This would continue through the rest of August and the early part of September when Hitler would once again change plans and direct the Luftwaffe to bomb British cities and civilians without mercy.
The British withstood the onslaught determination and bravery and eventually the bombings subsided as Hitler realized this tactic would not work and that Britain would not surrender. Hitler abandoned plans for Operation Sea Lion and hopes of an easy victory against the British.
This short 10 minute film although containing a great deal of propaganda does give you some insight into how the British Royal Air Force successfully withstood the German raids.
What would follow would be nearly a four month long battle in the air. The German planes were to bomb the British into the submission and the British defended by mounting an impressive aerial defense and developing new technology such as Radio Direction Finding (RADAR). This would be one of the most valuable technologies aside from the Atom Bomb to be discovered during the war and would assist the Allies in both naval and air battles. Radar was essential to the defense of Britain. Created by the Commander of the Royal Air Force Hugh Dowding who incorporated it into a system of early warning techniques designed to provide advance warning of a German air raid along with ground observers, raid plotting and radio control of aircraft which became known as the Dowding System.
The Luftwaffe under Goring’s control promised Hitler a quick victory but failed to deliver on that promise. On August 18th both sides take their highest losses in regards to planes and pilots in what is now referred to as “The Hardest Day” with the British losing 26 aircraft and 10 pilots and the Germans losing 71. Goring was able to damage a large portion of the British airfields but failed to cripple the Royal Air Force as promised.
Hitler changed tactics after this defeat and instead of going after the Royal Air Force he chose to target factories in addition to airfields in an attempt to cripple British industry which was producing munitions and supplies for the war effort. This would continue through the rest of August and the early part of September when Hitler would once again change plans and direct the Luftwaffe to bomb British cities and civilians without mercy.
The British withstood the onslaught determination and bravery and eventually the bombings subsided as Hitler realized this tactic would not work and that Britain would not surrender. Hitler abandoned plans for Operation Sea Lion and hopes of an easy victory against the British.
This short 10 minute film although containing a great deal of propaganda does give you some insight into how the British Royal Air Force successfully withstood the German raids.
Winston Churchill summed up the contribution that the British Royal Air Force made in defending Great Britain from German air raids by stating:
“Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few!”
Below is a map of Great Britain and how the attacks and the defense for the Battle of Britain was set up. In addition are a list of starting armed forces strength and the ending casualties.
“Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few!”
Below is a map of Great Britain and how the attacks and the defense for the Battle of Britain was set up. In addition are a list of starting armed forces strength and the ending casualties.
Enclosed as well is a short animation that shows how the Battle of Britain unfolded. Please follow this link to acces it and press the button on the lower part of the screen labeled Battle of Britain
http://www.wwiianimated.com/BritainAnimation.html
http://www.wwiianimated.com/BritainAnimation.html