Welcome to the battle of britain website! On this site you will be able to find picture from the battle and diary entries and more...
WHAT WAS THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN?
The Battle of Britain was the aerial war between British and German air forces in the skies over the United Kingdom. This battle occured in the summer and autumn of 1940. It was one of the most important moments in Britain's twentieth century history and a decisive turning point of the Second World War. Royal Air Force Fighter Command defeated the Luftwaffe's attempt to gain air supremacy over southern England. They also saved Britain from German invasion and conquest.
WHEN DID IT TAKE PLACE?
The Battle of Britain took place when the Luftwaffe attempted to win air superiority over southern England from the Royal Air Force as an essential prerequisite for the invasion of this country by German naval and land forces. For the British, it started from 10 July - 31 October 1940. PICTURE -
Luftwaffe
In 1940, Luftwaffe was the largest and most toughest air force in Europe.
Adolf Hitler, the German leader, officially created the Luftwaffe on 26 February 1935.
The Luftwaffe rapidly started to expand over the next five years.
DIARYS
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Here is a combat report from the 10th of July at the time of the battle.
Combat Report:
The main attacks concentrated on shipping. At 1100hrs a convoy was attacked off North Foreland by 1 Dornier (Do17) and escorted by Me109s. Spitfires of No: 74 Squadron, scrambled from Manston, engaged the enemy aircraft. At the same time Spitfires of No: 610 Squadron were scrambled from Biggin Hill to intercept Me109's over Dover. At 1330hrs about 120 enemy aircraft had formed in the Calais area to attack the convoy between Dover and Dungeness. Hurricanes from No: 34, 56 & 111 Squadrons along with Spitfires of No: 74 & 64 Squadrons were scrambled.
Later in the day enemy raids took place along the West, South and East coasts with the largest being nearly 70 bombers attacking Falmouth & Swansea. During the night, further raids were plotted with bombs dropped on Guisborough, Canewdon, Hertford, Isle of Grain, Isle of Mull (West Coast of Scotland), Colchester, Welwyn and Ely.
Statistics
R.A.F. Losses 8 aircraft damaged or destroyed and 2 pilots killed.
Luftwaffe Losses: 20 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 23 pilots & aircrew killed or missing and 10 wounded.
NOTE: Losses include non-combat patrols and accidents.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
PICTURES
Here are a few pictures from the war:
--------------------------------------
--------------------------------------
--------------------------------------
This site was made by and written by Mikael Robert and Micheal from Orleans Park School.
