It was September 15th 1940 . An auspicious day. The Allies had faced enormous adversity In June 1940; the Wehrmacht had overcome most of Western Europe and Scandinavia.
At that time, the only major power standing in the way of a German-dominated Europe was the British Empire and the Commonwealth.
There had been dark days and days that were increasingly full of light from the daylight raids on Britain from the German attacks that were set to test the resolve of the British people.
Adolf Hitler decided that, in order to win the war and turn the tide, he would send the greatest fleet of aircraft to attack London that could be amassed. It has become known as the Battle of Britain.
So many of us have seen the movie. So many more of us have not.
We have read of the heroism of the pilots and the bravery of the people who defied this takeover of a homeland that meant so much and was worth fighting for.
Germany believed that, after months of intense assault, the Royal Air Force was on the verge of collapse. Hitler believed that an attack on the heart of Britain, London, he could slay the beast that had so far defied his call to obedience.
The name ‘Battle of Britain’ comes from a speech by Winston Churchill. The imminent surrender of France in June 1940, Churchill said to the House of Commons
‘The Battle of France is over. I expect the Battle of Britain is about to begin.’
And so it did.
Hitler’s intention was to invade Great Britain in an operation - ‘Operation Sealion '. However, to do so he had to gain control of the English Channel, which was – Britain’s key route to the continent. He knew he couldn’t achieve this unless he had triumphed over the RAF. Hitler's goal was to establish the German Luftwaffe as the superior Air Force.
Britain was isolated. Or was it?
Most of Europe had already surrendered to Germany, and the US government was not interested in engaging in another European war. Hitler saw Britain as vulnerable, and if he could destroy the RAF, he could move to invade.
To be fair, before the war, the Luftwaffe was indeed stronger than the RAF.
They had 2,500 planes compared to the RAF’s 1,200, and their pilots were much better trained for warfare.
By the Spring of 1940, there were over 50 radar bases around the country, and in addition to these, the Commander of RAF Fighter Command created an efficient method of relaying information from the radar stations to the pilots, known as the Dowding System.
Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding's leadership and the implementation of the Dowding System are widely regarded as key factors in the ultimate victory of the RAF during the Battle of Britain. Dowding's insistence on the importance of radar and his careful management of resources helped preserve Britain's air defenses at a critical time in the war.
The British pilots also had the home ground advantage. They were able to navigate both the land and the sky, working with their knowledge of the British countryside. They were also fed important information that had been gathered. The Germans were operating on foreign territory.
They were also, unlike the British, unable to re-arm on the ground, change pilots during strategic landings, or refuel efficiently. Geographically, the British were in a much stronger position, and the radar systems took the RAF from strength to strength.
The Key Factors in Winning the Battle of Britain
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The Spirit of the British People: Perhaps the most critical factor in the British victory was the indomitable spirit of the British people. Facing relentless bombing raids, civilians displayed remarkable resilience. Their determination and refusal to yield played a pivotal role in bolstering the morale of the RAF pilots.
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Radar Technology: The British were equipped with an early warning radar system known as Chain Home, which proved invaluable in detecting incoming enemy aircraft. This technology allowed the RAF to scramble their fighters in a timely manner and engage the Luftwaffe before they reached their targets.
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Superior Aircraft: The British had technologically advanced fighters like the Supermarine Spitfire and the Hawker Hurricane. These planes were agile, well-armed, and capable of taking on the German bombers and fighters effectively. The Spitfire, in particular, became an iconic symbol of British resistance.
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Tactics and Leadership: The RAF employed sound tactics and exceptional leadership. Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding, the head of Fighter Command, was instrumental in organising and deploying his resources effectively. He understood the importance of preserving his pilots and planes while wearing down the enemy.
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German Errors and Overstretch: The Luftwaffe made several strategic errors during the Battle of Britain. Initially, they focused on attacking British airfields and radar installations instead of targeting the RAF in the air. This allowed the British time to repair their infrastructure and maintain a viable defense. Additionally, the German bombers were vulnerable when not escorted by fighters, leading to significant losses.
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The Channel: The English Channel served as a natural barrier that limited the reach of German air raids. This made it difficult for the Luftwaffe to provide adequate air support and supply their forces effectively.
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International Support: While primarily a British battle, international support played a role. Pilots from various Allied nations, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Poland, joined the RAF. Their contributions added valuable manpower and expertise to the British ranks.
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War Production and Intelligence: The British industry quickly adapted to wartime production needs, churning out planes, weapons, and equipment at an impressive pace. Intelligence efforts also played a role in deciphering German codes and predicting enemy movements.
We must also acknowledge the help from America and other nations, which we have recently discussed in articles here. ( see links below. ) We also have an article talking about the tremendous work of the Eagle Squadrons, which will be published soon, thanks to the research of Happy Expat. )
For myself, I wish to say that, on the anniversary of the Battle of Britain, over 80 years ago, the speech given by Winston Churchill is more impactive and more important than ever before.
Further Reading:
https://joomla.vps101246.mylogin.co/index.php/3113-god-bless-america-episode-1-the-eagle-awakes
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