Battle of Britain – The first great air battle in history
Hitler wanted to control the air so he could prepare for an attack by water,
destroying the British Navy
Goering promised Hitler he could defeat the RAF in four days
British were outnumbered 3 to 1
1600 German Bombers were armed with machine guns to protect against air
attack.
1000 Messerschmitt fighters also had machine guns and 2 larger guns to fire
explosive shells
Brits had 900 Hurricanes and Spitfires… 8 machine guns apiece…
But British had the advantage of radar, the Spitfire and the Enigma, a cipher
machine that helped them receive and decode German messages
Radar - Radar signals did more than give warning, they indicated how many
planes were approaching, from which direction and what altitude
Spitfire - Much loved by its pilots, the Spitfire served in several roles, including
interceptor, photo-reconnaissance, fighter-bomber, carrier-based fighter, and
trainer
The Spitfire's elliptical wing had a thin cross-section, allowing a higher top speed
than several contemporary fighters, including the Hawker Hurricane. Speed was
seen as essential to carry out the mission of home defence against enemy
bombers
Hermann Goering… one of Hitler’s long standing supporter, card carrying Nazi
since the 20’s
Was an ace in WWI, but his extravagant lifestyle fattened him up so much he
could no longer fit into a bomber by the 1940s
Hugh Dowding – defense of Britain depended upon him. RAF commander was
a quiet man, living with his sister… known through the RAF as “Stuffy”…
Operation Sea Lion
Germany’s initial strategy:
1. attack British naval convoys in the English Channel (July) – wasn’t
effective enough for Goering…
2. attack British airfields (August) – “Attack of the Eagles” – still didn’t
paralyze the RAF as Goering had hoped…
3. Hit British radar stations (August-September)
Goering had struck at the heart of RAF defenses, but the bomber crews
paid a heavy price. 4 never made it back, 2 went down in the Channel.
German bomber losses were becoming unsustainable.
More bombers had to get through…
August 19th – fateful decision… another tactical change.
Fighters, from now on, Messerschmitt had to protect the bombers much
more closely, flying alongside and sticking like glue to them… flying slowly
and low… throwing away key advantages of height and speed.
Goering’s plan seemed to be working. Key sector stations were struggling
to stay operational.
6 raids in 3 days at the end of August… all telephone lines but one was
cut.
By early September, fighter command in southern England was on the
edge of collapse.
Airplane losses were outstripping production.
Across the Channel, the # of boats preparing to invade was increasing.
Mistake!
Goering directs Luftwaffe to direct their attacks away from airfields and into
London.
Luftwaffe stopped bombing RAF airfields and ordered daylight bombing raids on
London (blitz)
This shifted focus allowed the RAF to train and rebuild its strength, and Hitler
would lose this important battle.
Pairs of squadrons paired up and attacked together.
“Big Wing” formation… 5 entire squadrons joined forces and flew south towards
the enemy.
Ever since the battle had begun, the Luftwaffe had been told that victory was
imminent as the RAF was close to collapse.
For German bombers, they were so low on fuel once they reached London, that
they only had 10 minutes before they had to turn back… otherwise they would
run out of fuel before they got back across the Channel.
Dogfights became frenzied, as some RAF pilots took on bombers head on.
2 major raids on London that day… the interval between allowed RAF pilots to
land, refuel, grab some food and get ready again.
The confidence of the German pilots was ebbing away.
By the end of the day the RAF had destroyed 60 German fighters and bombers
at a loss of 26 of their own fighters.
Decisive blow to the Luftwaffe – now remember as Battle of Britain Day. Robbed
the Germans of any chance of victory.
By 30th of September, 1940, Hitler “postponed” Operation Sea Lion
Significance?
1. Hitler denied in the West, turns to the East (USSR))
2. With Britain intact, no quick surrender = long war
3. Channel proves to be the springboard for D-Day
4. First loss of Nazi forces