The Battle of Britain  was a military campaign of the Second World War, in which the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Fleet Air Arm (FAA) of the Royal Navy defended the United Kingdom (UK) against large scale attacks by Nazi Germany's air force, the Luftwaffe. It has been described as the first major military campaign fought entirely by Air Forces. Officially the battle lasted from 10 July until 31 October 1940.

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The objective of the German forces was to force Britain to agree to a negotiated peace settlement. In July 1940, the air and sea blockade began, with the Luftwaffe mainly targeting coastal shipping convoys, as well as ports and shipping centres such as Portsmouth. On 1 August, the Luftwaffe was directed to achieve air superiority over the RAF, with the aim of incapacitating RAF Fighter Command. 12 days late, it shifted the attacks to RAF airfields and infrastructure. As the battle progressed, the Luftwaffe also targeted factories involved in aircraft production and strategic infrastructure. Eventually, it employed terror bombing on areas of political significance and on civilians.
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At the beginning of the battle, Herman Goring, commander of the German Luftwaffe, believed Britain could be defeated with air power alone. At the start of the battle he had more than 2,000 aircraft in three air fleets against approximately 700 aircraft in the RAF that were divided across four fighter groups. The significant difference between the two sides was the extensive radar and command and control system the British had in place to detect and provide response against German incursions into British airspace.

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The Germans had rapidly overwhelmed France and the Low Countries, leaving Britain to face the threat of invasion by sea. The German high command recognised the difficulties of a seaborne attack, particularly while the Royal Navy controlled the English Channel and the North Sea. On 16th July 1940, Hitler ordered the preparation of 'Operation Sea Lion' as a potential amphibious and airborne assault on Britain, to follow once the Luftwaffe had air superiority over the Channel. In September, RAF Bomber Command night raids disrupted the German preparation of converted barges, and the Luftwaffe's failure to overwhelm the RAF forced Hitler to postpone and eventually cancel Operation Sea Lion.

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Using the 'Big Wing' tactic, developed by legendary pilot Douglas Bader and Air Vice-Marshal Trafford Leigh-Mallory, the RAF Spitfires and Hurricanes attacked the Luftwaffe bombers and fighter aircraft support, with a carefully devised plan that severely hampered their to complete their attacks.

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The four stages of the Battle of Britain

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July 10th to August 12th, 1940 - The Luftwaffe conducted reconnaissance missions to plan for larger attacks later in the campaign. They also attacked the southern ports, such as Portsmouth, shipping, and radar stations around the English Channel which forced the British to cease all Channel convoys.

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August 13th to September 6th, 1940 - The Luftwaffe attempted to destroy RAF planes both in the air and on the ground. Airfields belonging to RAF Group 11 being heavily targeted.

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September 7th to October 5th, 1940 - The start of the London Blitz. The Germans undertook large scale bombing of London and other major cities plus other manufacturing and strategic targets. Hitler hoped to break the British will during this phase of the battle. The Germans tried daytime bombing raids on London but were forced to switch to night bombing raids after heavy casualties received during the daylight attacks.

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October 6th to October 31st 1940 - The Germans continued to conduct heavy raids against London and other cities but less frequently due to poor weather and with mounting losses finally realised the battle was lost.

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Germany's failure to destroy Britain's air defences and to force an armistice (or even an outright surrender) was considered the first major defeat for Adolf Hitler and the German government during the war. If Germany had won the Battle of Britain, it is possible that the Nazis could have launched their planned amphibious invasion of the British Isles which was prevented.

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The Battle of Britain takes its name from the speech given by Prime Minister Winston Churchill to the House of Commons on 18 June:

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"What General Weygand called the 'Battle of France' is over.

I expect that the Battle of Britain is about to begin."

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Source: Wikipedia / worldwar2facts.org

 

Dogfight over London during the Battle of Britain

Pilots at RAF Duxford, 1940

An Observer Corps spotter scans the

skies of London

A German Heinkel He 111 bomber flying over the East End of London during the Blitz.

WAAF plotters pictured at work in the underground Operations Room at HQ Fighter Command, Bentley Priory, London.