Battle of Britain Timeline

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.