Summer 1940

Known in England (especially London) as the “Blitz” Germany tries to defeat the Royal Air force and gain air superiority Once the “RAF” is destroyed Germany will launch a cross channel invasion Operation Sea Lion

10 July – 11 August: Kanalkampf "the Channel battles" 12–23 August: Adlerangriff "Eagle Attack“ - the early assault against the coastal airfields 24 August – 6 September the Luftwaffe targets the airfields (the critical phase of the battle) 7 September onwards the day attacks switch to British towns and cities.

Commandant of the Luftwaffe

German air force is called Luftwaffe During the Blitz, the Luftwaffe is ordered not to attack British cities without direct orders from Hitler In response to the attacks on Britain, the British launch a bomber raid against industrial complexes near Berlin Due to poor weather and cloud cover, bombs drop all over the city including in civilian neighborhoods Hitler rescinds his order and the focus of the battle changes Eventually Germans begin bombing targets of political significance and resort to terror bombing

He 111 Medium Bomber Bf 109 Fighter Ju Junkers 87 “Stuka” Diver Bomber “Stuka”

Spitfire Radio Detection and Ranging

Germany loses 1,700 planes, England loses 900 planes Hitler decides to cancel his invasion of England (Operation Sea Lion) Radar helps the British hold of the invasion Winston Churchill rallies England and shortly America would join the war

“Never have so many owed so much to so few”

First defeat of Hitler’s forces “This was their finest hour” – Churchill British are able to rebuild their military and become an allied stronghold throughout the war Had England failed either the Nazi’s or Soviets would have controlled Europe with little America could do about it Battle shifts American public opinion about the war Hitler starts moving planes and troops to the East