Das Reich 1942 Historical Archives

Back to Luftwaffe Page | Back to Home Page

The Luftwaffe - The Battle of Britain

After the Fall of France in June 1940 Hitler turned his attention to Britain. The plans to invade England were hatched and called "Operation Sealion". There was however a problem. The only way to invade England would have to come from a sea Bourne invasion landing on the south coast therefore the threat of the Royal Navy would have to be removed. To do this total air superiority would be needed.

The official start of the Battle of Britain came on August 14th 1940, codenamed Adler tag. However small combat raids on channel convoys and combat patrols took place from Early June 1940. Allowing the RAF to test and improve the defensive measures in place.

On July 19th Hitler issued a final chance for England to surrender and as there was no response from the British government the go ahead was given for Adler tag. However on the 13th the Weather was unfavourable so the pre planned mass assault lost allot of its strength as squadrons were grounded. Not until the 15th did the air attacks start in urnest with over 2000 aircraft being put in the air over Britain striking airfields and radar stations. The decision was made by the luftwaffe to destroy the RAF once and for all, using small diversionary bomber raids to draw out RAF fighters and then attack the RAF fighters with large numbers of German fighters. In the meantime the bombers slipped through and attacked airfields, radar stations and aircraft factories.

However as suddenly as it had begun the Luftwaffe switched its attention to England's cities after RAF bomber command dropped bombs on Berlin on August the 25th. This Breathing space allowed the RAF to replace lost aircraft and pilots and to repair the damage done to airfields. On September the 7th 1940 the Battle of Britain became the Blitz.

Spitfire housed at Shuttleworths, June 2001