Why did Britain win the Battle of Britain

Authors Avatar

Why did Britain win the Battle of Britain

 There are two phases to the Battle of Britain which contributed to their success in the Battle of Britain.

On the 12th August 1940, the German airforce began its mass bomber attacks on British radar stations, aircraft factories and fighter airfields. During these raids radar stations and airfields were badly damaged and twenty-two RAF planes were destroyed. This attack was followed by daily raids on Britain.

 As a result of the effective range of the Luftwaffe, the battle was mainly fought over southern England. Fighter Command No. 11 and Fighter Command No. 12 protected this area. They also received support from the squadrons based in the eastern counties.

 Between 1st and 18th August the RAF lost 208 fighters and 106 pilots. The second half of the month saw even heavier losses and wastage now outstripped the production of new aircraft and the training of pilots to fly them. Those British pilots that did survive suffered from combat fatigue.

Join now!

During the Battle of Britain Trafford Leigh-Mallory came into conflict with Keith Park, the commander of No. 11 Fighter Group. Park, who was responsible for the main approaches southeast of London, took the brunt of the early attacks by the Luftwaffe.

 The climax of the Battle of Britain came on the 30th-31st August 1940. The British lost 50 aircraft compared to the Germany's 41. The RAF were close to defeat but Adolf Hitler then changed his tactics and ordered the Luftwaffe to switch its attack from British airfields, factories and docks to civilian targets. This decision was the result ...

This is a preview of the whole essay