In June 1940, France surrendered to Nazi Germany, her army having been decisively outmanoeuvred and outfought in a six-week campaign. Many expected Britain, now standing alone against Hitler, to seek a settlement. Her continental allies were defeated, Stalin had made a surprising alliance with Hitler, and America was dominated by isolationists who wanted to stay out of the war. There seemed little sense in fighting on, and no prospect of victory. Yet under the defiant leadership of Winston Churchill, Britain decided to continue the war. The Prime Minister, who had been one of the first to warn of the threat posed by Nazism from the Commons backbenches, knew there was no peace to be had with Hitler. He knew it was a fight for survival, in which either the forces of tyranny or freedom would prevail. "Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties," he told the Commons, "and so bear ourselves that if the British Empire and Commonwealth last another thousand years, men will still say, this was their finest hour."
Back to top
|
Hitler was frustrated by Britain's refusal to make a settlement with him. He had no great desire to wage war against Britain and her empire, but nor was he shy of smashing both if they stood in his way. His plan was to use his air force, the threat of invasion, and an actual invasion if necessary and possible, to force Britain to capitulate. From early July the Luftwaffe (the German air force) was ordered to mount offensive operations against Britain. Shipping convoys, airfields, military installations and ports were attacked, as the Luftwaffe maintained pressure on Britain, tested her air defences, and softened up potential landing zones for an invasion. But Goering, commander of the Luftwaffe, knew little about Britain's air defences. They were probably the most modern and sophisticated in the world. These early skirmishes and probing attacks over the Channel, met fiercely and ably by Royal Air Force Fighter Command, quickly showed that this would not be another pushover for the Axis forces. The RAF possessed two modern fighters - the Hurricane and the Spitfire - which were a match for Germany's own modern aircraft. They had almost as many fighter aircraft as the Luftwaffe, and although they had to defend all of Britain, they had the advantage of RDF - radio direction finding, later known as Radar. This revolutionary, top-secret technology gave RAF controllers early warning of Luftwaffe raids.
Back to top
|
On 13th August, after a month of inconclusive though often intense dogfighting over the south coast, the Luftwaffe was ordered to begin a systematic and concentrated attack on Britain's air defences. The codename for the start of this campaign was 'Eagle Day'. Radar towers were attacked by dive-bombers, airfields, aircraft factories and RAF sector stations were repeatedly bombed, and RAF fighters in the air were engaged by massive German fighter escorts when they tried to intercept the bombers. Although the British pilots had begun the Battle of Britain with less experience than the Luftwaffe pilots, they were rapidly catching up, developing their tactics and learning the capabilities of their own and the enemy's aircraft. The Spitfire - slightly faster and more agile than the Hurricane - was often used to intercept the enemy fighter escorts of Messerschmitt 109s, whilst the rugged, sturdy Hurricane was tasked with destroying the bombers. Although the Luftwaffe was steadily losing more aircraft than the RAF, Fighter Command installations in the southeast of England were being pulverised, and pilots were being lost at an unsustainable rate. It was also found that new pilots, thrown into the deep-end of modern air combat with little training, were the first casualties.
Back to top
|
From 7th September, the Luftwaffe dramatically changed tactics. German military intelligence estimated that the RAF fighter defence was on the brink of collapse, with perhaps only 200 fighters left operational. This encouraged Hitler and Goering to proceed to the final phase of their air campaign against Britain. It was a move accelerated by Nazi humiliation and outrage at the RAF bombing of Berlin - itself a retaliatory act for the Luftwaffe's frequent bombing of British urban centres and civilians. The Luftwaffe would now target London, pulverising its docks and factories, and terrifying the populace into surrender in what would become known as 'The Blitz'.. Simultaneously, the last British fighters would be destroyed as they tried to defend the capital. This would achieve the air superiority necessary for an invasion, if this was required. But German intelligence had got it wrong - Fighter Command was battered and bruised, but definitely not defeated. These large daylight raids against London, where German fighter escorts were at the very limit of their range, were met by large numbers of determined fighters. German bombers were shot down in droves. On 15th September, the Luftwaffe lost 60 aircraft, whilst the RAF lost 25. It quickly became apparent to Hitler and the Luftwaffe chiefs that not only was the RAF still in control of the skies over southern England, but that large daylight raids were unsustainable. In the autumn, the Luftwaffe turned to hit and run raids, and night-bombing of British cities. It was acknowledgement that they had lost the battle for air superiority over England. 'The Few' of Fighter Command had ensured that Britain would not suffer the same fate as France, but would fight on, and play a vital role in the final victory over Nazi Germany.
Back to top
|
|
 |
| Battle of Britain day: Friday 15th September on The History Channel. Click here> |
 |
| Put your fighter skills to the test with our sensational Spitfire game. Play> |
 |
| Get up close and personal with the Supermarine Spitfire. More> |
 |
|
