Britain’s Fighter Boys: Projecting the Battle of Britain, 1940

Abstract

In essence the British-defined Battle of Britain ran for 113 days or sixteen weeks, most British historians accepting four or five main phases confirming a shifting strategic and tactical focus by the Luftwaffe (Figure 8.1, p. 199). Leaving aside the preliminary period of the Battle wherein Luftwaffe reconnaissance and limited fighter sweeps probed Britain’s air defences, these mostly after the French campaign drew to a close, Phase One — from 10 July — included initially light daylight bomber attacks against merchant convoys passing through the Channel, RAF fighters tasked with providing air cover. These steadily intensified in addition to limited attacks against ports on the south and east coasts, and RAF airfields. Phase Two — from around 13 August — saw an intensifying effort against shipping in the Channel, but more critically for the RAF increasingly strong attacks against radar stations and coastal airfields, thence airfields further inland. Phase Three — from 24 August — was a determined effort by the Luftwaffe to destroy the RAF’s fighter strength in support of Operation Sea Lion, attacks on airfields resulting in significant damage to Fighter Command’s overall capability. It is arguable that the Luftwaffe achieved local air superiority over the intended invasion beaches and Channel during the latter part of this phase, Fighter Command in serious difficulty and at greatest risk of collapse.