Operation Sea Lion and the Beginning of the Air War
- Turning point in the war
- Hitler's plan to invade Great Britain - just a plan
- He needed control of the air before this would be possible
- Luftwaffe begins bombing aircraft factories, hangars, runways, radar, convoys
- British come within days of not being able to sustain a defence
- A German bomb couldn't find where it was supposed to go and the bomb was dropped in London
- In retaliation of having their civilians hurt, they bombed Berlin (little damage)
- Hitler bombed 76 nights straight (called the Blitz)
- Hitler was infuriated so he began bombing cities in Great Britain (changes his plan)
- This allowed the British to get their air control back together
The Royal Air Force (RAF) vs. The Luftwaffe
- Spitfires and Hurricanes vs. Messerchmitt 162
- Dog fights
- British had code breakers, broke the German Enigma code which allowed them to know where the bombs were coming so they could intercept
Dogfights and the British Determination
- Led by Winston Churchill
- St. Pauls cathedral was a sign of resistance
- Did things like Fireside chats to let people know what was being bombed etc.
- Lend Lease Policy in 1941
- Elected as British Prime Minister after the Fall of France
- Famous for his speeches during WWII
- Seen as one of the best historians
Summary
Seen as a major turning point in the war, Germany tries to conquer Britain but first needs to control the air. The Luftwaffe bombs factories and facilities required for the British to fight war. Soon after, the British bombed Berlin in order to retaliate. Although there was little damage, this caused Germany to bomb Britain for 76 nights straight, allowing them to rebuild their airforce.