The Battle of Britain

…Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”
Prime Minister Winston Churchill, August 1940

Defending the Nation -“The Nation at War”

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You may like to consider:

How Luftwaffe tactics changed over the period of the Battle of Britain –

• The targets of Luftwaffe bombers

• The scale of the bombing raids
• The types of aircraft used

How far R.A.F. tactics changed over the period of the Battle of Britain –

• The scale of response to specific raids

• The types of aircraft used

You may also like to compare aircraft losses and the impact that these
losses may have had on the R.A.F. and Luftwaffe.
 Examples of typical days during the Battle of Britain.

7th July 8th July 10th July 19th July

8thAugust 11thAugust 13thAugust 18th August

7thSeptember 11thSeptember 15thSeptember

27thSeptember 26th October 1st November

 7th July, 1940.

British fighters were scrambled in force today to intercept Luftwaffe

reconnaissance planes and Bf 109 fighters.

Unfortunately, there was little chance of engaging the enemy as many

of the planes fled when confronted by our Hurricanes. Some Spitfires
from 54 Squadron however, were ‘bounced’ (attacked from above) by a
number of Bf 109s near Manston airfield. They were all damaged but
managed to land safely.

During the evening shipping was disrupted in the English Channel by

German bombers. Three Spitfires that engaged the enemy were shot
down. None of the enemy fighters were badly damaged.

Overall the R.A.F. lost six fighters today and the Luftwaffe five
aircraft.
 8th July, 1940.

It was a beautiful, clear day all day. The Germans sent reconnaissance
aircraft over the English Channel at first light. Two of these were shot
down. More Luftwaffe aircraft arrived in the afternoon and were
intercepted by 610 Squadron. One Spitfire was lost but the formation of
enemy bombers was broken up and failed to sink a single ship in the
convoy that it was sent to attack.

Hurricanes from 79 Squadron also engaged the enemy, but were

prevented from intercepting a bombing raid by a number of Bf109s.
Two Hurricanes were shot down. 234 Squadron intercepted a number
of aircraft (Ju88s) off Dover, but did not manage to shoot any down.

Overall the R.A.F. lost four aircraft today and the Luftwaffe seven.
 10th July, 1940.

Spitfires chased an escorted Luftwaffe reconnaissance plane as it

headed back towards France. One Spitfire was shot down and the
reconnaissance aircraft escaped.

During early afternoon a large formation of German bombers were

spotted by radar. 30 British fighters intercepted the 26 German
bombers and their fighter escort. A huge dogfight took place and in the
confusion the Germans only managed to sink one ship in the convoy
that they had been detailed to attack.

The Swansea and Falmouth areas were also attacked today by

Luftwaffe JU88s. Railways. Some ships in harbour and factories were
damaged.

Overall the R.A.F. lost one aircraft today and destroyed eight.
 19th July, 1940.

The Rolls-Royce factory in Glasgow was bombed this morning. The

bombers were not intercepted and escaped without loss.

Nine Defiants of 141 Squadron were scrambled to protect a convoy in

the English Channel. Unfortunately the Defiants were attacked by a
pack of Bf 109s. Two Defiants were lost almost immediately.
Hurricanes from 111 Squadron were sent to help, but by the time they
got to the scene of the dogfight only three Defiants remained. The
Hurricanes shot down 1 BF 109.

Stuka dive-bombers attacked Dover harbour while Bf 109s kept British

fighters at bay.

Overall the R.A.F. lost 10 fighters and the Luftwaffe 4 aircraft.

 8th August, 1940.

A bad day for the convoys leaving England today.

A fierce air battle raged around convoy ‘Peewit’ in the English Channel
and out of twenty ships four were sunk and six damaged.

The R.A.F. lost 10 fighters today and the Luftwaffe 28 aircraft.

11th August, 1940.

Bf 110s attacked Dover this morning. No fighters were sent to intercept

as Fighter Command were waiting for larger Luftwaffe attacks that
they felt sure would follow.

Just after 10:00 a.m. 8 squadrons were sent up to meet 165 German
bombers and escort fighters. A huge dogfight took place and the
bombers got through and bombed Portland and Weymouth.
 13th August, 1940.

Altogether today the Germans flew 1,485 sorties against targets in

England. Their targets were primarily the naval bases at Portland and
R.A.F. airfields.

It was something of a confusing morning for the Luftwaffe. Orders

were issued postponing many of the attacks that were to take place, but
not all of the messages got to the pilots in time to prevent them taking
off. This meant that many groups of German aeroplanes found
themselves crossing the English Channel on their own instead of as part
of a larger attacking force.

In the late afternoon however airfields in England were attacked in

force and at Detling alone 67 airmen lost their lives and 22 aircraft
were destroyed. Today the R.A.F. lost a total of 14 aircraft and the
Luftwaffe lost 39.
 18th August, 1940.

A wonderfully clear sky today. Radar along the Channel coast reported
the biggest build up of Luftwaffe aircraft.

Just after noon an attack was launched by the Luftwaffe on Kenley

airfield. While 39 bombers headed for the airfield at high altitude
another 9 dipped below radar level and made a surprise attack from
low altitude. Biggin Hill airfield was also attacked by 60 Heinkel 111s
that were protected by 150 Bf 109s and Me 110s. Five R.A.F. squadrons
totalling 53 aircraft were in the air by 1:00 p.m. and a further 50
Spitfires and Hurricanes were ordered to patrol above Kenley and
Biggin Hill airfields. 615 Squadron lost 4 aircraft in quick succession
defending Kenley, as well as 6 more aircraft on the ground.

This was indeed the ‘Hardest Day’ yet. The R.A.F. lost a total of 31
aircraft in the air and 29 on the ground. The Luftwaffe lost 69.
 7th September, 1940.

Goering announced today on German radio that he has personally

taken command of the Luftwaffe’s battle for Britain. This
announcement was accompanied by the first attack on London by the
Luftwaffe.

Over 300 German bombers and roughly 600 fighters crossed the
English Channel at 4 p.m. The formations stretched 1 ½ miles high and
spread out over 800 square miles of sky. Fighter Command scrambled
21 squadrons to meet the attack.

The squadrons were vectored towards Thames Haven and Tilbury, but
the size of the German attack ensured that large numbers of bombers
broke through to London to inflict terrible damage. Luftwaffe attacks
continued until early the next morning. 430 civilians were killed.

The R.A.F. lost a total of 31 aircraft and the Luftwaffe 39.

 11th September, 1940.

London was hit badly again. German bombers attacked during the
afternoon.

The bombers were vulnerable however once their fighter escort was
forced to turn and make for France as its fuel began to run low. Quite a
few enemy aircraft were destroyed, but unfortunately No.1 Canadian
Squadron and 42 Squadron were set upon by Bf 109s and twelve
aircraft were shot down and six pilots killed.

I think the R.A.F. shocked the Luftwaffe today. Goering had told his
pilots that Britain only had a handful of fighter aircraft left and yet
Fighter Command were ordering sixty or seventy fighters to intercept
German formations at a time.

R.A.F. losses for today were 28 aircraft.

Luftwaffe losses numbered 24.
 15th September, 1940.

The R.A.F. reported strong winds at altitude today. Dense cloud was
also been reported off the English Channel. These conditions seem to
have affected the large forces put together by the Luftwaffe.

Me 109 fighter-bombers were the first to attack London. This attack

was ineffective however and caused little damage. The second attack
was by a much larger force of Dornier 17 bombers. Due to the weather
these planes were forced to break formation more than once before
reaching their targets. They were then engaged by eleven squadrons of
Spitfires and Hurricanes just as its fighter escort of BF 109s fled for
bases in France as they were low on fuel.

German bombers were forced out of formation quite easily without

their protective escorts and were ‘picked off’ by the British fighters as a
result.
 27th September, 1940.

London the target again. Bf 110s swept over the southern edge of the
city which meant that 11 Group had to send up fighters to chase them
off. Anti-aircraft defences also tried desperately to bring the aircraft
down.

The Bf 110s were followed by Ju 88s that must have hoped that the
R.A.F. pilots had been drawn away from the target area. If this was the
plan then the Luftwaffe will have been disappointed as Hurricanes and
Spitfires met them in force. Bf 109s and Me 110s did arrive late to help
their comrades, but not before a number of aircraft had been shot
down.

Filton aircraft factory in Bristol was also attacked today, but 10 Groups
fighters engaged the enemy aircraft and shot down four aircraft
including that of Martin Lutz, commander of Erprobungsgruppe 210.
 26th October, 1940.

I feel that I have to record a strange event that occured last night.
Italian aircraft of the Italian Air Force attacked Harwich. Fifteen Fiat
BR.20 bombers were spotted, but none of the aircraft were shot down.
This is the first time that Italian planes have been spotted over Britain.
I expect that the leader of Italy and Hitler’s ally, Mussolini, feels a little
left out and wants Italians to take part in the attack on our great
nation. Does he really think that the Germans are going to win this
battle and then invade and conquer Great Britain????

In fact it has been a fairly quiet day with few air raid warnings being
given overall. The Luftwaffe certainly seem to be sending less aircraft
over during the daylight hours.

The R.A.F. lost 5 fighters today. The Luftwaffe lost 9 aircraft.

 1st November, 1940.

It feels as if the Battle of Britain is fizzling out somewhat. We are still

suffering bombing raids, but the attacks are nowhere near as big. Most
bombing raids are also taking place at night when our defences are at
their weakest.

R.A.F. Squadrons have reported seeing enemy aircraft throughout the

day, but it seems that the Luftwaffe have little desire to engage in
dogfights. Most have simply turned tail and headed for France when
Spitfires and Hurricanes have been spotted.

One engagement that did take place near Faversham unfortunately

resulted in the death of Squadron Leader Archie McKellar of 605
Squadron. Few other aircraft have been destroyed and pilots killed
over the past twenty four hours.

The R.A.F. lost 9 aircraft and the Luftwaffe 4.