1.  starter activity What can this poster tell about the Battle of Britain in 1940?  How useful are propaganda posters in learning about WWII?

2. How did the RAF win the Battle of Britain (summer 1940) ? To explain the meaning of ‘Operation Sealion’ To weigh up the reasons why the RAF managed to defeat the Luftwaffe  LOs

3.  Your task Read p.162- in Peace and War and note the key objectives of ‘Operation Sealion’ Read p.162- in Peace and War and note the key objectives of ‘Operation Sealion’ Find out why the RAF eventually succeeded in defeating the Luftwaffe. Complete a table similar to the one below: Find out why the RAF eventually succeeded in defeating the Luftwaffe. Complete a table similar to the one below:  Extension task. What evidence is there that Luftwaffe could have won?  Extension task. What evidence is there that Luftwaffe could have won? British advantages German weaknesses

4. Operation Sealion H. planned to invade GB – Operation Sealion H. planned to invade GB – Operation Sealion Attack airfield, ports & radar stations Attack airfield, ports & radar stations Gain air superiority Gain air superiority Which was more important for the Luftwaffe to destroy first, the radar stations on the runways?

5. British advantages Spitfire & Messerschmitt evenly matched Spitfire & Messerschmitt evenly matched British increased production by 1836 planes in 4 months of fighting British increased production by 1836 planes in 4 months of fighting Possession of ‘Ultra’ – key to German radio codes gave them advance warning Possession of ‘Ultra’ – key to German radio codes gave them advance warning Use of RADAR Use of RADAR

6. German weaknesses Fighters could only carry fuel for 30 mins flight over Britain Fighters could only carry fuel for 30 mins flight over Britain German losses greater than British ones, e.g. 16-30 Sept 1940, Luftwaffe lost 213 to 133 RAF planes German losses greater than British ones, e.g. 16-30 Sept 1940, Luftwaffe lost 213 to 133 RAF planes Germans producing 156 new planes per month compared with 563 planes in Britain Germans producing 156 new planes per month compared with 563 planes in Britain Luftwaffe flying over enemy territory Luftwaffe flying over enemy territory Military planning. Goering & Hitler underestimated resistance. Military planning. Goering & Hitler underestimated resistance.

7. Evidence of German strengths British pilots were reservists & part-timers British pilots were reservists & part-timers Germany trained 800 pilots per month (Britain, 200) Germany trained 800 pilots per month (Britain, 200) Luftwaffe outnumbered RAF e.g. 824 German fighters to 591 British fighters Luftwaffe outnumbered RAF e.g. 824 German fighters to 591 British fighters RAF pilots overstretched, 35 mins between sorties RAF pilots overstretched, 35 mins between sorties

8.  Your task Watch the clip from ‘Battlefield Britain’ and complete the questions on your task sheet. Watch the clip from ‘Battlefield Britain’ and complete the questions on your task sheet.

9.  Your task Imagine you work for the Ministry for War. You have been asked to write a short piece for radio, encouraging young men like those in the photo to enlist in the RAF. Highlight the advantages of being a pilot, the importance of their role and the types of machines they flew. Imagine you work for the Ministry for War. You have been asked to write a short piece for radio, encouraging young men like those in the photo to enlist in the RAF. Highlight the advantages of being a pilot, the importance of their role and the types of machines they flew.

10.  Extension Visit the Battle of Britain memorial at Capel or conduct some online research and write your own ‘web page’ entry to attract visitors to the site. Visit the Battle of Britain memorial at Capel or conduct some online research and write your own ‘web page’ entry to attract visitors to the site. Battle of Britain Memorial, Capel

11. Plenary Plenary What was ‘Operation Sealion’? What was ‘Operation Sealion’? Give 3 reasons why the RAF won and 3 reasons why the Luftwaffe lost the Battle of Britain Give 3 reasons why the RAF won and 3 reasons why the Luftwaffe lost the Battle of Britain  Extension. Does the Battle of Britain remind you of any other great British victories you have studied?  Extension. Does the Battle of Britain remind you of any other great British victories you have studied?