Battle of Britain
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Leading to the war
September 1939 - May 1940
The Nazis and Hitler had been successful in invading Poland, Denmark, Norway, Holland, Belgium and France, country after country across Europe.
10 May 1940
Churchill becomes Prime Minister
26 May - 4 June 1940
Britain retreated from France. Yes, they were losing.
June 18, 1940
The British Prime Minister, WINSTON CHURCHILL, included in his speech at the fall of France:
"....the Battle of France is over, I expect that the Battle of Britain is about to begin. Upon this battle depends the survival of Christian civilization. Upon it depends our own British life, and the long continuity of our institutions and our Empire."
The Battle Of Britain was a series of air battles between July 10th 1940, and October 30th 1940. It was fought between the Royal Air Force of Great Britain and the Luftwaffe of Nazi Germany. Germany had twice as many aircraft. The Battle Of Britain, however, ended in German defeat leaving Great Britain as the only country in Europe opposing Hitler. Had the battle been lost by the British then Hitler and Nazi Germany would certainly have won the war on the European Front. The victory enabled the U.S. to land its troops somewhere before sending them onto the battlegrounds in Europe. It gave the U.S. somewhere to launch its planes from when it bombed Germany. But overall it proved that Hitler was not unbeatable. This was also the first major German defeat in the war.
Key events
August 1st
Hitler decreed the Battle of Britain with the command "The German Air Force is to overcome the British Air Force with all means at its disposal, and as soon as possible."
August 13th
"Eagle Day". The Luftwaffe launched its offensive against Britain, with 1,485 sorties. The Germans lost 45 'planes and the RAF 13.
August 15th
A day of intense attacks. The Luftwaffe launched a total of 1,790 sorties and lose 75 'planes. The RAF lost 34.
August 17th
The Germans established an 'operational area' around Britain. In it, any ship was to be sunk without warning.
August 25th
The RAF launched its first raid on Berlin.
September 7th
Some 300 German bombers, escorted by 600 fighters, attack London.
September 15th
The RAF claimed to have shot down 183 German 'planes - a figure later found to be inflated.
September 17th
Hitler postponed "Operation Sealion" until further notice.
October 12th
"Operation Sealion" postponed until 1941.