F e a t u r e s
The Battle of Britain T
he Battle of Britain was that rarest of events, a battle named before it had begun
and commemorated almost before it was over. Seventy years on, the importance of it shows no sign of lessening. The summer of 1940 certainly saw an epic clash.
Given Germany’s naval weakness it was only through air power that the Nazis could bring pressure to bear and either force Britain to make peace or mount an invasion. Whichever of these paths Hitler took, air superiority over southern England and the Channel was the prerequisite. By denying that supremacy, the Royal Air Force saved Britain and ultimately laid the foundation to free Europe from the scourge of Nazism.
By the end of June 1940, the United Kingdom stood alone. The forces of Nazi Germany and her allies had conquered or dominated the rest of Europe. In early July, Hitler turned his attention to the British Isles, the last bastion of European democracy.
Hitler knew that only if he controlled the skies could a heavy enough bombing campaign be mounted, or an invasion force cross the English Channel. While the Royal Navy would still pose a severe threat to an invasion force, they could not prevent aerial attacks on Britain’s ports, industries or people, and were vulnerable to German air attack.
Britain’s air defence rested principally on the RAF. While Bomber Command and Coastal Command would both make a significant contribution to the Battle by attacking the German invasion preparations and airfields across the Channel, and the Army’s anti- aircraft guns would inflict losses on any
raiders, only the pilots of Fighter Command, under Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding, could meet the Luftwaffe head on.
Nearly 3,000 aircrew would serve with Fighter Command in the course of the Battle, of whom nearly 600 (around 20%) were from the British Dominions, and occupied European or neutral countries. To compensate for the lack of numbers, the RAF had the advantage of a highly efficient and advanced command and control system.
The Battle of Britain began in early July, 1940, and can be roughly divided into four phases. By the start of the first phase, on 10 July, the Luftwaffe had been attacking shipping in the English Channel for some weeks. This campaign was now stepped up, with the intention of cutting Britain’s coastal supply lines, and drawing the RAF’s fighters into battle over the Channel where they could be destroyed.
On 16 July, Hitler issued Directive No16, calling for preparations to be made for Operation Sealion, the invasion of Britain. He demanded that ‘the British Air Force must be eliminated to such an extent that it will be incapable of putting up any sustained opposition to the invading troops.’ German attacks now hit the British mainland, with scattered attacks on airfields, and attempts to knock out the string of coastal radar stations.
By 1 August, little progress was being made so Hitler issued Directive No 17, calling for the Luftwaffe to ‘overpower the English Air Force with all the forces at its command, in the shortest possible time’.
After twelve days of preparation and poor weather, the second phase of the Battle began on 13 August, a day that Goering lauded to his men in typical bombastic style as ‘Eagle Day’. The principal targets were now the radar sites, to blind the RAF, and the airfields of southern England, with the intention of driving the RAF from the skies. The raids not only destroyed valuable aircraft, but the damaged airfields made it difficult for aircraft to operate.
The RAF and Women’s Auxiliary Air Force ground staff showed great dedication and courage as they strove to keep stations open,
10 Autumn 2010
by Steve Willmot from the Directorate of Media and Comms at MoD. Introduction by Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, Chief of the Air Staff
despite the continuing attacks. Casualties mounted on both sides, and Fighter Command was increasingly short of pilots, and although a steady stream of overseas personnel were now joining front-line squadrons, many were inexperienced. While the Luftwaffe also suffered heavy losses, the senior RAF commanders were fearful that they were beginning to lose the war of attrition.
By 6 September, Fighter Command was on the back foot. Although squadrons were being rotated around the country, with battered units being withdrawn to the North to rest and the fresher squadrons moving from north to south, the pilots were becoming increasingly worn out. The losses in aircraft and pilots, and damage to the airfields, were making the situation appear increasingly grim. However, the Germans were also suffering and their early optimism was now severely strained. Hitler and Goering were both growing impatient and now turned their attention away from the airfields, and on to London.
Although day and night raids had been mounted against various British towns and cities throughout the campaign, London had been left alone on Hitler’s express orders. However, on the night of 24/25 August, a lost bomber formation had dropped bombs on the capital by mistake. Churchill reacted and the following night, in retaliation, Bomber Command aircraft were sent to attack Berlin.
Hitler was incensed, and lifted his prohibition on the bombing of London. This also suited the
www.raf-ff.org.uk
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