Explain the importance of the Battle of Britain as a turning point of the Second World War

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Explain the importance of the Battle of Britain as a turning point of the Second World War

The Battle of Britain took place during the summer and autumn of 1940. After defeating France, Hitler wanted to expand his territory through Europe by Britain. Hitler’s Blitzkrieg (lightening war) seemed unstoppable and Churchhill described the potential significance of the Battle of Britain: ‘The Battle of France is over .Upon this battle depends the survival of Christian civilisation.’ Germany’s air force Luftwaffe attacked British airfields, parks and radar stations in an attempt to gain superiority in the air, to stop the Royal Air force from bombing down on them whilst crossing the English Channel, to invade Great Britain.  

The Battle of Britain led to a new type of war as it was a major aerial battle between the Luftwaffe and the RAF. British fighter pilots used Hurricanes and Spitfires to shoot down the Luftwaffe, and the Luftwaffe would target the British merchant convoys and harbours, of which British forces were evacuated from Dunkerque between May and June 1940. Germany’s invasion of the British Isles by e was known as Operation Sea Lion. The battle showed the importance of radar, as the Luftwaffe, as the British had to rely upon radar to minimise their loses as the ground staff, which created many jobs for women as men had to fight, plotted the positions of the Luftwaffe, so that they would be easily recognisable by the RAF. The radar stations also gave information to the public and updated information about the war. Unfortunately, August 13th saw the attack of radar stations throughout Britain by Germany. From August 24th to September 6th the Luftwaffe destroyed a quarter of the British pilot strength, and the RAF was within an inch of defeat.

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Fortunately, on September 7th, Hitler suddenly switched the Luftwaffe’s attack and air defences to bombing London, hoping to reduce British moral, yet instead boosting the morals by bringing British civilians together and sustaining them throughout the difficult times ahead. For example, Beaverbrook’s ‘pots and pans’ appeal which led people to realise the need and desperation of the fighters.

 Unfortunately, the Blitz killed around 45 000 civilians, but it gave time for the RAF to repair its ruined airfields and strengthen its defence.

The Battle of Britain meant that the war between Germany was taking longer, and was therefore wasting ...

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