The Battle of Britain

Hurricane Mk IIBs of 601 Squadron, 1941. (IWM neg CH3517)

The Battle of Britain was an air battle in the Summer of 1940 between the German Air Force (the Luftwaffe) and Royal Air Force's Fighter Command. Hitler, Germany's Nazi leader, wanted to clear the way for an invasion of Britain by winning control of the skies over Britain.

The Battle started in July 1940 with Luftwaffe attacks in the Channel and continued as Fighter Command was drawn into combat. The intensity of the Battle increased in August and September as the Luftwaffe targeted the RAF's radar stations, airfields and communications centres. Civilian industrial sites were also bombed. Fighter Command was not really able to concentrate its strength and turn the Battle to its own advantage until the Luftwaffe suddenly switched their attention to the bombing of London in September, marking the beginning of the Blitz.

There were sixteen tense weeks of air fighting and bombing, but the Luftwaffe failed to defeat Fighter Command. Britain remained in the war, its air force undefeated.