When the Battle Started

The battle started on June 10, 1940 but the real air war didn’t start until August 12, 1940.

It involved the British (RAF) against the Germans (Luftwaffe)

The Luftwaffe attacked radar stations and airfields

What Happened? The focus was on military targets, factories, and

ports After an allied plane (British) bombed Berlin,

Germany started to focus its air raids on London. Nightly attacks were designed to destroy the British will to

resist. Thousands were killed but Londoners were determined to

resist. Children were evacuated to the countryside and

spent their nights in bomb shelters and subways.

Why did Britain and Germany Fight?

Hitler decided that he would try and take over Britain after he took over France.

His plan was to take over the world and at the time Britain was the biggest threat to Germany

If Hitler could defeat Britain then he would become the ruler of the world.

THE KEY PLAYERSADOLF HITLER

Leader of Germany (Nazi party)

Responsible for starting WWII & the deaths of over 30 million people.

After taking over France turned his attention on the RAF. (Royal Air Force)

He wanted Germany to be the leading country of the world.

WINSTON CHURCHILL

The Prime Minister of Great Britain

Lead Britain during the Second World War

His political career started in 1900 & ended in 1964

SPITFIRE SUMMER

The battle was fought over the skies southern England and it became known as the “spitfire battle”. June and July Germans attacked convoys off

the south coast ports of Dover and Plymouth. Though out numbered at the beginning the

Brits had some advantages like radar. The most advanced warning system in the

world.

BATTLE INTENSIFIES In August 1940 the terrifying battles

intensified. The Luftwaffe began launching attacks

more than 1,000 in one day. the RAF lost 100 fighters. Germany lost more than 190 planes.

Sustained Attack RAF sustained heavy losses but the German

losses were greater. By the end of the month the Germans had lost

600 aircraft. damage to the radar stations had left Britain very

vulnerable. air installations had continued then the eventful

outcome could have been so different.

Hitler shifted the focus of his attacks.

CITIES TARGETED In September 1940 Britain launched air attacks

on some of Germanys industrial areas this angered Hitler

On September 7th he ordered the Luftwaffe to bomb British cities.

The Luftwaffe changed tactics and shifted their attacks away from Britain's air defense.

PROPAGANDA Germany attacked more then 1,000 aircraft on September

15th.

Heavy fighting and later became commemorated as battle of Britain day.

The RAF said they shot down 175 aircraft but really it was only 56 German aircraft.

The inflated numbers were accepted at the time as both sides fought propaganda battle as well as a military war.

The spit war was coming to its end.

GERMAN TACTICS Attacks on British cities caused widespread

damage and loss of life. Bombers were shot down faster then they

could be manufactured. Hitler needed summer weather, so as

winter approached the threat of invasion receded.

THE AIRCRAFTS USED IN THE BATTLE Henkel 111- slow. Lumbering: easy to shoot down with a

pitifully small bomb load. Messerschmitt 109: fast, dangerous,

especially its cannon. They used lots of cannons and machine

guns up in the air.

IN THE END! Hitler failed to establish air superiority. The fleet of invasion barges assembled

in French ports suffered heavy losses in RAF bomber attacks.

Battle was over and Britain was safe. Winston Churchill said:

“ never was so much owed by so many to so few”

RESULTS FOR BRITAIN AFTER THE BATTLE

The RAF lost 902 aircraft compared to the Lufwaffe who lost 1598

The British could consider themselves still the most powerful country in the world

With their development of radar they could track the Germans

They learned how to crack the German code to intercept there plans in the future against them.

Results of the Battle for Germany 1598 Luftwaffe were shot down. They began to try to take over Russia

instead. The end of the battle on Britain gave the

Luftwaffe enough time to make up sum of there loses.

Who Won The Battle? Hitler decided to withdraw from Britain on

September 17 but he didn’t stop fighting them until October 31, 1940

As a result Germany was not able to defeat Britain and had to pull back.

(Germany would now focus on the Soviets, [invade Russia] which violated the Nazi-Soviet Pact)