Friday 30 July 2021

Imperial War Museums - Everything you need to know about the Battle of Britain

 

IWM | IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUMS

Squadron Leader Douglas Bader (front centre) with pilots of No. 242 Squadron grouped around his Hurricane at Duxford, September 1940. © IWM CH 1413
 

SUMMER SALE THIS WEEKEND ONLY

Get 20% off tickets to IWM Duxford, Churchill War Rooms and HMS Belfast.

Simply book your summer visit (between 31 Jul - 5 Sep) using the promo code 2DAY20. The sale begins Saturday 31 July, 00:01 and must end midnight Sunday 1 August.

Click here for T&Cs. Does not include Air Shows or Flying Days.
BOOK HERE
 
9 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN
This time 81 years ago, Britain was deep in the throes of a major air campaign against the German Air Force (Luftwaffe), fought largely over southern England.

After the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk and the fall of France, Germany planned to gain air superiority to prepare for an invasion of Britain.

Here are the things you need to know about one of Britain’s most important victories of the Second World War. 
1. This was Hitler's chance to invade Britain
Hitler had expected Britain to seek a peace settlement after Germany defeated France, but Britain was determined to fight on.

Hitler wanted to bring the war to a quick end and ordered an invasion of Britain, codenamed Operation ‘Sealion’. But to be successful, the Germans first needed to secure control of the skies over southern England. This would remove the threat posed by the Royal Air Force (RAF).
2. The Battle of Britain saw the RAF take on the Luftwaffe
The Battle of Britain was ultimately a test of strength between the Luftwaffe and the RAF.

Germany had been banned from having an air force after the First World War, but the Luftwaffe was re-established by the Nazi government. By 1940 it was the largest and most formidable air force in the world.

The RAF met this challenge with some of the best fighter aircraft in the world – the Hawker Hurricane and the Supermarine Spitfire.
3. The Brits had a highly effective air defence network
The Dowding System was named after Fighter Command’s Commander-in-Chief Sir Hugh Dowding. It brought together technology such as radar, ground defences and fighter aircraft into a unified system of defence.

It would give Britain a critical advantage in the Battle of Britain.
4. There were several phases to the Battle of Britain
In July 1940, the Germans began by attacking coastal targets and shipping on the English Channel.

They launched their main offensive on 13 August, moving inland to target airfields and communications centres.

During the last week of August and the start of September, Germany intensified their efforts to destroy Fighter Command. Airfields were significantly damaged, but most remained operational.

The Luftwaffe assumed the RAF was on its last legs, but Fighter Command was bruised, not broken.

When the Germans moved their attacks to London, it was devastating for the city’s residents, but it gave Fighter Command time to recover. It was now able to repel the Luftwaffe’s assaults over the next few weeks.

The Luftwaffe had failed to secure the air superiority needed for invasion. Hitler indefinitely postponed Operation ‘Sealion’.
 
© IWM
 
SPITFIRE N3200:
THE VIP EXPERIENCE
Enjoy an in-depth, two-hour encounter with Spitfire N3200, which was recovered from the Dunkirk beaches after being buried for 45 years.

Sit in the cockpit, hear a private talk from an IWM expert, get up close to the engine and gun bays, see parts not on display to the public, receive an exclusive gift and much more.

Includes free admission to IWM Duxford for three people.
BOOK TODAY
 
 
 
5. Not all of the pilots were British
Nearly 3,000 men of the RAF took part in the Battle of Britain, named 'The Few' by Winston Churchill.

While most were British, men also came from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), Belgium, France, Poland and Czechoslovakia. There were even some pilots from the neutral United States and Ireland. 
6. 'The Few' were supported by many
Ground crew looked after the aircraft. Factory workers helped keep aircraft production up. The Observer Corps – tens of thousands of volunteers – tracked incoming raids. Anti-aircraft gunners, searchlight operators and barrage balloon crews all played vital roles.

The Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) served as radar operators and worked as plotters, tracking raids in the group and sector operations rooms. And there were nearly 1.5 million men in the Home Guard, who were the ‘last line of defence’ against German invasion.
7. All of the RAF helped defend Britain
Victory in the Battle of Britain was decisively gained by Fighter Command. But RAF Bomber Command attacked German industry, raided ports were Germany assembled its invasion fleet and targeted airfields and aircraft production.

RAF Coastal Command carried out anti-invasion patrols and provided vital intelligence on German positions along the European coast.
8. The Battle of Britain was a defensive victory for Britain
The Luftwaffe was dealt an almost lethal blow which it never fully recovered from. Germany’s failure to defeat the RAF and secure control of the skies over southern England made invasion all but impossible.

Britain secured one of its most significant victories of the Second World War. It was able to stay in the war and lived to fight another day.
9. You can commemorate 'The Few' at the Duxford Battle of Britain Air Show
Duxford Battle of Britain Air Show will take place on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 September. Tickets go on sale to IWM members today and to the general public next week on Tuesday 3 August.

Step back to the summer of 1940 for an event to remember on the airfield which played a central role in the Battle of Britain.
 
© IWM
 
GET EARLY ACCESS TO DUXFORD BATTLE OF BRITAIN AIR SHOW TICKETS
Become an IWM member and enjoy priority booking from today, ahead of tickets going on sale to the public on Tuesday 3 August.

Plus, get a 10% discount on Air Show tickets, and free year-round entry to IWM Duxford, Churchill War Rooms and HMS Belfast.
LEARN MORE