The Battle Of BritainThe Battle Of Britain

Michelle H, Michelle H, Natasya, Jessica O, Natasya, Jessica O,

DavinDavin

What: An aviation war fought between Brtain and Germany

When: July 10 – September 15, 1940

Effects: The Battle of Britain was an unnecessary war in which the Luftwaffe attacked Brtain for pointless reasons

The Battle Of The Battle Of BritainBritain

The Battle Of BritainThe Battle Of Britain

Germans needed to control English Channel in order to invade Britain

They had planned on sending in barges full of soldiers through English Channel

To take over channel, had to dominate in air So the Luftwaffe - German air force - was

sent to fight to Royal Air Force (RAF) Germany had the advantage of numbers Luftwaffe had 4,000 planes versus the RAF’s

1,660, but in the end Germany lost the battle

The Battle Of The Battle Of BritainBritain

The Battle of Britain was a war fought between Britain’s RAF and Germany’s Luftwaffe

First battle completely fought in the air Began August 10, 1940, ended October 31,

1940 Germany came very close to defeating Britain,

but in the end the Luftwaffe lost the battle

The Battle Of BritainThe Battle Of Britain

Why Germany LostWhy Germany Lost

New DevelopmentsNew Developments RADAR

Device used by Britain to warn them of approaching enemy planes

Radar located Luftwaffe planes so that RAF did not have to search for them

Eliminated element of surprize that Luflwaffe had conted on

Michelle.H

Hurricane Plane Heavy duty plane, could

stay in air even when hit several times

Effective guns, very versitile

Spitfire Plane More quick and agile than

Hurricane When hit, went down easily

Why Germany LostWhy Germany Lost

New DevelopmentsNew DevelopmentsMichelle.H

Why Germany Lost

Location Disadvantages Luftwaffe traveled far to get to Britain,

had to go back to rearm and refuel Pilots did not get much air time over

Britain before they had to head back to Germany

There were many RAF fighter bases spread around Britain, so RAF planes could quickly land, rearm, and refuel

German fighters could not fly as far as bombers

So bombers went unprotected and were very vulnerable to attack

Jessica

Why Germany Lost

Location DisadvantagesJessica

Why Germany Lost

Poor Strategic Decisions used Planes at war changed from airfield to cities ignored the radar and defese of allies Bomb Raids Unexpected Attacks Caused too many casualties Caused too much destruction

Loss of planes

Hermann Goering – Leader of Luftwaffe Corrupt Stop doin g his job Didn't listen to field commanders Involve himself in long& pointless

discussions on minor matters

Why Germany Lost

Poor Strategic Decisions

Why Germany Lost

Other Important Facts

The planned invasion of Britain was codenamed “Operation Sealion” by Germany

For awhile the weather was bad Once the skies cleared on August 15,

most of the German dive-bombers had been put out of action

So it became much harder for Luftwaffe to destroy British radars

Davin

Propaganda was used by both sides Germany claimed to have shot down

3,058 RAF planes, when they really only destroyed 650

Britain claimed to have shot down 2,698 Luftwaffe planes, when they really only destroyed 1,100

Why Germany Lost

Other Important FactsDavi

n

Conclusion

• The Battle of Britain was an war of aviation between the British RAF Fighter Command and the German Luftwaffe

• Although Britain came close to loosing, they prevailed in the end

• Britain’s success ensured freedom for them and allowed them to continue involvement in World War II

Effects on War

– The Battle of Britain was the first predominately air-based battle in WWII

– German plans to quickly and completely invade Britain were foiled when they were defeated

– Britain’s victory ensured they would remain a free nation and stay involved in the war

– Eventually Britain was able to play a major role in the success of the Allied Powers

Discussion Question

– How could Herman Goering have planned attacks better in order to ensure defeat over Britain?

– Had the weather been more clear, how might the outcome of the battle have differed from the actual results?

– Explain why Britain was actually very fortunate to win triumph over Germany in the Battle of Britain.