Battle of Britain
Potentially Europe's last stand against the Reich.
The Germans thought very little of the British mainland, thinking it could be overtaken through a strategic air campaign followed up by a massive land assault. When weeks of strategic bombing failed to produce the desired results, London and her citizens themselves were struck by a ferocious bombing campaign of terror.
To the skies went the brave RAF, helped along by elements of the Royal Navy, the Fleet Air Arm and ground-based radar installations. Chief among the participants became the Hawker Hurricanes and Supermarine Spitfires against the Luftwaffe's Messerschmitt Bf 109. Hundreds of aircraft made up of bombers and fighters could be called into the skies at a moment's notice.
In the end, the efficiency and bravery of RAF pilots and ground crews along with radar personnel and a stalwart leader in Winston Churchill, brought about the end to the Nazi dream of a conquered England. Perhaps even more important throughout this ordeal was the resolve of the average British citizen - who proved that there was nothing average about him and her at all.
Hitler's grand Operation Sea Lion would have to wait.
Total Events: 19
1940
Saturday
June 1st - August 12th |
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German Luftwaffe forces concentrate efforts on maintaining control over the vital shipping lanes of the North Sea. At least 30,000 merchant ships are destroyed during this period. |
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Hitler delivers Fuhrer Directive 17 as Operation Sea Lion - the land invasion of the British mainland to occur between September 19th and September 26th. |
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The first attacks on RAF airfields and radar stations are conducted by German fighters and bombers. Germany intends on destroying RAF air supremacy before attempting its land invasion. |
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At least 40 total Luftwaffe aircraft are destroyed by the RAF and ground-based flak teams. |
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Southampton is heavily bombed by the German Luftwaffe. |
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Andover is heavily bombed by the German Luftwaffe. |
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Portland is heavily bombed by the German Luftwaffe. |
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"Eagle Day" is enacted - a four day bombardment of key RAF airfields and radar installations. Poor weather initially delays the assault and any bombing thereafter produces mixed results. |
1940
Thursday
August 15th |
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74 Luftwaffe aircraft launched from bases in Denmark and Norway are lost on what will be remembered as "Black Thursday". |
1940
Saturday
August 17th |
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The RAF is forced to poach the ranks of Bomber Command in an effort to fill its dwindling supply of capable fighter pilots. |
1940
Monday
August 19th - August 24th |
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Poor weather and overcast skies limit any major German bombing efforts over Britain. |
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Underestimating overall RAF fighter strength, Luftwaffe commander Hermann Goering changes offensive tactics and orders his fighters to tempt RAF fighters to duke it out in the skies as opposed to bombing them while still on the ground. |
1940
Saturday
August 24th - August 31st |
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Luftwaffe bombing resumes. During this period, RAF airfields are hammered with the loss of 200 fighters. However, losses for the Luftwaffe number some 330 aircraft. |
1940
Tuesday
September 3rd |
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Due to consistent Luftwaffe losses and inconclusive results across the entire campaign, Hitler postpones Operation Sea Lion to September 21st. |
1940
Saturday
September 7th |
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348 bombers and 617 fighters of the German Luftwaffe descend on the British capital city of London in a massive bombing raid. |
1940
Saturday
September 7th |
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In an effort to break the resolve of the British people, Hitler orders the bombing of London over the bombing of strategic RAF airfields and installations. |
1940
Sunday
September 15th |
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Two massive bombing raids are conducted against Britain. The German Luftwaffe sees some 300 total RAF fighters airborne, showcasing Goering's gross estimate of total RAF air power. 80 German aircraft are lost in total. This day would go on to become "Battle of Britain Day". |
1940
Monday
September 16th |
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The German Luftwaffe redirects it sbombing campaign to now cover night-bombing of British cities. |
1940
Tuesday
September 17th |
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With the unexpected results of his campaign against Britain, Hitler officially postpones Operation Sea Lion indefinitely. |
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