Battle of Britain

Churchill uses his skilful rhetoric to harden public opinion against capitulation, and to prepare the British for a long war. In his "This was their finest hour" speech on 18 June 1940, he said "the Battle of France is over. I expect that the Battle of Britain is about to begin"

Tells Parliament the Battle of Britain is about to begin.

Declares that the Battle of France is over and the Battle of Britain is about to begin.

Uses the Finest Hour speech to prepare Britain for the coming air campaign.

France surrenders to the Germans

Opening day of the Battle of Britain

Says, "there is a time to live & a time to die"

Oversees Britain's air defence as the Luftwaffe begins sustained attacks.

Commands Fighter Command as the official Battle of Britain period begins.

Directs Britain's integrated fighter defence through the Dowding System.

British convoys in the Channel from Dover to Plymouth are harried. 1st phase to 18th Aug. 1st day of the Battle of Britain

Directs Luftflotte 2 operations against southern Britain.

Supports attacks on Channel shipping during the opening phase.

Controls the fighter defence of London and south-east England.

Directs No. 11 Group during the opening Channel battles.

Commands Luftflotte 3 during attacks on Britain.

Coordinates bomber and fighter operations from bases in occupied France.

Hopes that news of the preparations would frighten Britain into peace negotiations, issues "Directive No. 16; On the Preparation of a Landing Operation against England"

Issues Directive No. 16 ordering preparations for Operation Sea Lion.

Makes air superiority over Britain a prerequisite for the planned invasion.

Hitler holds a meeting of his army and navy chiefs in his Berghof

Believes air superiority was "not enough". Donitz later stated, "we possessed neither control of the air or the sea; nor were we in any position to gain it"

The OKW (Oberkommando der Wehrmacht or "High Command of the Armed Forces") issues its plan

Raeder believes that air superiority might make a successful landing possible although it would be a risky operation and required "absolute mastery over the Channel by our air forces"

Begins converting to Hurricanes before entering Battle of Britain combat.

Joins No. 303 Polish Squadron at Northolt.

Directive no 17 intensifies the air war against England

Renews attacks on the Channel, marks the next phase. Over the next 3 days the Germans lose 35 to the British 29 aircraft over the Channel. Gathers a force of 2,800 planes, 900 fighters & 1,300 bombers in 3 fleets

"Never in the field of human conflict, was so much owed by so many to so few"

Germany has lost 1,733 planes compared to British loses of 915

Luftwaffe raids strike Manston, Hawkinge, Lympne and radar sites.

Orders systematic attacks on RAF airfields and radar stations.

Luftwaffe attacks switch to British airfields and radar stations.

Orders attacks against airfields and radar stations during the Battle of Britain.

Directs fighter interceptions during attacks on south-eastern airfields.

Uses radar and sector control to preserve Fighter Command's response.

Directs national resistance as the Luftwaffe launches Eagle Day.

An offensive is discovered when the British use the enigma machine

The engagements resulting from Eagle Day are later dubbed the Battle of Britain. 1st day of the main offensive

The Operation begins on Adlertag ("Eagle Day") by German forces, elimination of British air cover had been set as one of the prerequisites for Sea Lion - the amphibious assault of Britain. The engagements resulting from Eagle Day are later dubbed the Battle of Britain

The engagements resulting from Eagle Day are later dubbed the Battle of Britain

Commands major Luftwaffe formations during Eagle Day.

Luftflotte 2 attacks targets across south-east England.

Directs No. 11 Group during Eagle Day.

Fighter Command prevents the Luftwaffe from crippling southern defences.

Directs No. 10 Group fighters defending south-west England.

His group helps counter major Luftwaffe attacks during the day's fighting.

Coordinates Fighter Command during one of the battle's largest air actions.

Moves limited squadrons carefully between threatened sectors.

The largest air Battle of this period. 5 major actions are fought but the Germans lose 76 to Britains 34 aircraft

The largest air Battle of this period. Adlertag, eagle day, opening of the decisive phase of the battle. 5 major actions are fought but the Germans lose 76 to Britains 34 aircraft. 1st large air Battle takes place in north England. 1,786 sorties are flown

About 100 bombers escorted by 40 Me 110s are launched against Tyneside

German air fleets attack widely separated targets across the country.

Launches one of the Luftwaffe's largest daylight efforts against Britain.

Adlertag, eagle day, opening of the decisive phase of the battle. 1,786 sorties are flown

Directs repeated fighter responses during intense Luftwaffe attacks.

No. 11 Group bears heavy responsibility for defending south-east England.

Continues attacking a German fighter despite severe burns and a burning Hurricane.

His actions later earn Fighter Command's only Victoria Cross of the war.

Directs fighters as Tangmere and other southern targets are attacked.

No. 11 Group contests repeated raids over southern England.

Advocates concentrating fighters into larger formations against German raids.

Leads No. 242 Squadron during the Battle of Britain.

Commits large Luftwaffe forces during the day later called the Hardest Day.

Heavy losses reduce subsequent use of Ju 87 dive bombers in the battle.

Directs Fighter Command responses as Kenley and other airfields are attacked.

No. 11 Group fights sustained engagements over south-east England.

The 3rd phase of the battle begins. Resumes after bad weather. Airfields & commuincations are damaged as German numerical superiority takes effect

Berlin is bombed by the RAF in retaliation for the bombing of London

Concentrates on airfields in the south east but bombs are dropped in error on London. 2nd phase to 27th Sept, a route to London is to be opened up by destroying the RAF

Bombs also fall on London during the continuing air offensive.

Luftwaffe operations intensify against Fighter Command targets around London.

Britain retaliates for attacks on London with a raid against Berlin.

The Berlin raid influences German decisions about subsequent bombing strategy.

Retaliation for the bombing of London. RAF bombers attack Berlin for the 1st time

Dowding manages reserves as pressure on southern sector stations increases.

Fighter Command flies more than one thousand sorties during intense fighting.

Biggin Hill suffers severe damage while remaining operational.

Directs interceptions during heavy attacks on Fighter Command sector stations.

Bales out badly wounded and later loses part of his left leg.

Is shot down during combat with German bombers east of Duxford.

Airfields including Biggin Hill and Hornchurch face renewed attacks.

Commands No. 11 Group on Fighter Command's heaviest aircraft-loss day.

Radar information helps Fighter Command conserve pilots and aircraft.

The "Dowding system", a set of reporting chains to move information from the various observation points to the pilots in their fighters, named after its chief architect

The Kanalkampf comprises a series of running fights over convoys in the English Channel launched partly because Kesselring and Sperrle were not sure about what else to do, and partly because it gives German aircrews some training and a chance to probe the British defences

Uses radar warning to direct No. 11 Group fighters.

Continues communications duties during attacks on RAF Biggin Hill.

Her courage under bombing later brings the Military Medal.

Marks unexploded bombs while the station is under attack.

Remains at her post during bombing of RAF Biggin Hill.

Continues working during repeated attacks on RAF Biggin Hill.

Her service under fire later earns the Military Medal.

Begins the combat sequence that makes him a leading Allied scorer.

Claims a Bf 109 destroyed while flying with No. 303 Squadron.

Claims another Bf 109 destroyed.

Continues his rapid series of victories with No. 303 Squadron.

Adds two more victories during heavy September fighting.

Claims a Bf 109 and a Ju 88 destroyed.

Claims another Bf 109 destroyed.

His combat success continues as Luftwaffe pressure remains intense.

The Germans have lost 308 aircraft to the British 273. End of the 3rd phase of the Battle of Britain

Is wounded while flying with No. 242 Squadron during the London raids.

Returns safely despite facial injuries caused during combat.

The Luftwaffe diverts its forces from destroying the RAF to bombing London

London becomes the target for incessant bombing

Shifts the main Luftwaffe effort toward large-scale attacks on London.

The change reduces pressure on Fighter Command's sector stations.

Directs fighter defence as major Luftwaffe formations attack London.

No. 11 Group contests the first sustained mass assault on the capital.

Adds two victories while No. 303 Squadron defends southern England.

Claims a Bf 109 and a He 111 destroyed.

Claims two Bf 109s and a He 111 destroyed.

Records three victories during one day of Battle of Britain fighting.

Leads fighters from Duxford during the major September battles.

Supports the use of large Big Wing formations against Luftwaffe bombers.

Oversees defence during the decisive daylight air battle.

Observes Fighter Command committing its available squadrons against the raids.

Visits No. 11 Group headquarters during the climactic daylight attacks.

Coordinates Fighter Command during the decisive September air battles.

The day's German losses undermine hopes of defeating Fighter Command.

Claims a Bf 110 destroyed on Battle of Britain Day.

Contributes to No. 303 Squadron's strong record during the battle.

Initial Luftwaffe estimates are that it will take four days to defeat the RAF Fighter Command in southern England

Bombing on London peaks. Believing the RAF is broken Goering bombs London, 1,300 sorties are flown. 56 German planes are downed compared with 26 British. 1,000 bombers & 700 fighters rage over the London

Bomber command destroys 200 barges in France & Low Country ports

Commits available fighter squadrons against two large Luftwaffe assaults on London.

Directs No. 11 Group during the major attacks later called Battle of Britain Day.

Is awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal.

The award recognizes his exceptional combat record with No. 303 Squadron.

Failure to gain air superiority prevents the planned invasion of Britain.

Postpones Operation Sea Lion until further notice.

Receives his Distinguished Flying Medal from King George VI.

The presentation takes place at RAF Northolt.

More than 450 British fighters are destroyed & 103 pilots killed. Attacks are shifted to main inland RAF bases

Adds two victories during late-September air fighting.

Claims two He 111 bombers destroyed.

Tells the country that invasion danger remains despite RAF success.

Claims a He 111 and a Bf 110 destroyed.

Continues his sequence of victories with No. 303 Squadron.

Buckingham Palace is hit by 6 bombs while George VI is in residence

Dies after becoming one of the battle's highest-scoring Allied pilots.

Is killed when his Hurricane crashes near Ewell after a patrol.

Commands Fighter Command through the official final day of the Battle of Britain.

The Luftwaffe has failed to gain the air superiority required for invasion.

Coventry is destroyed during a night raid

The Luftwaffe cannot gain permanent air control but sporadic night raids continue

Coventry is blitzed by 500 bombers & almost demolished

Supports continued expansion of aircraft output after the Battle of Britain.

The "Dowding system", a set of reporting chains to move information from the various observation points to the pilots in their fighters, named after its chief architect. Credited with winning the battle and made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath

Stays in London during the Battle of Britain & the Blitz

Defeats France & then turns on Britain

Responsible for Luftwaffe operations against Britain and the west

Appointed Commander of 12 Group during the Battle of Britain

Leigh-Mallory is critical of the tactics of Park and Sir Hugh Dowding, head of Fighter Command, believing that not enough was being done to allow wing-sized formations to operate successfully. Forms the "Big Wing" formations to attack German bombers. Devises with Acting Squadron Leader Douglas Bader a massed fighter formation known as the Big Wing, which they used, with little success, to hunt German bomber formations

This record states: After the Battle of Britain, Air Chief Marshal Charles Portal, the new Chief of the Air Staff, who had agreed with Leigh-Mallory, removed both Park and Dowding from their posts.

Grand Admiral Erich Raeder, Commander in Chief of the Kriegsmarine (German Navy), told Hitler that an invasion could only be contemplated as a last resort, and only after full air superiority had been achieved

Germany bombs Canterbury in the biggest daylight raid since the Battle of Britain

Defeated by the Americans & forced into retreat