Explain why Britain was able to continue to hold out against Germany from June 1940 until the end of June 1943.

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Explain why Britain was able to continue to hold out against Germany from June 1940 until the end of June 1943.

The Germans attempted on many occasions through different strategies and offences to invade and gain superiority over Britain. However, various factors such as technology, tactics, weapons, leadership and overseas aid from the U.S, contributed greatly to Britain being able to hold out against Germany from June 1940 until the end of June 1943.

Technology played an immense part in both the Battle of Britain and the Battle of the Atlantic. Both battles were crucial in the survival of British independence but for very different reasons. A victory in the battle of the Atlantic allowed Britain to maintain vital contacts and supply routes from America, which was critical at that time of need. The battle of Britain ensured air superiority over Britain, which was essential in stopping a German ground invasion. One of the technological advancements unique to Britain (invented by Robert Watson-Watt) was radar. The development of radar had been going on since 1935 in dead secrecy under the cover of ‘RDF’ radio-direction finding. The radar worked by transmitting radio waves that bounced back off approaching aircraft. Experienced radar operators could accurately estimate the size and speed of an approaching aircraft. In previous campaigns, the Germans had been able to destroy most of their enemies’ aircraft on the ground. Britain’s investment in radar in the 1930’s meant the R.A.F planes were not caught on the ground as the Luftwaffe approached and were able to get fighter pilots into the air and direct them to intercept enemy attacks. Radar totally transformed the ability of defence to anticipate and thus defeat a bomber attack. The German intelligence however, was poor as they did not attempt in any real depth to develop the same technology as Britain and they did not realize how important radar was. Consequently they were unable to gain control of the skies and had to delay invasion plans. Short wave radio also contributed greatly to Britain’s success in the Battle of Atlantic as it could pick up U-boats on the surface, which previously proved to be elusive. In the year of 1942, 1661 Destroyers and Convoys were lost but after the use of short wave radio, British losses dropped drastically. It linked ships and aircraft, which were fighting U-boats and enabled them to get in touch with their onshore commanders who made use of the latest intelligence information. Radar and short wave radio were an important technical break playing an essential part in Britain’s success.

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Leadership on both sides played a priceless role in determining the survival of Britain. Goering, head of the Luftwaffe was very shortsighted as a tactician; many of his decisions contained major practical flaws. He was blind to reality and guilty of misplaced over confidence. He did not really understand how modern air warfare worked and regularly shifted the focus of attacks, causing confusion among pilots. Hitler’s poor prioritisation was also a significant help to the British. His fear of Russian power led to an increasing interest in creating Lebensraum in the East. As Russia became his main concern, Britain was ...

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