How The Battle Of Britain Began | Battle Of Britain | Timeline

In the summer of 1940, a small, aging group of young men and their aircraft were all that stood between Britain and a Nazi invasion. The RAF Fighter Command, despite being outnumbered, engaged in fierce aerial combat with the Luftwaffe over southern England. The narrative then shifts to 1968, where some of these aircraft were used to film the movie 'Battle of Britain.' The series aims to tell the real story of the battle, highlighting the critical role of RAF pilots and their commander, Sir Hugh Dowding, who argued for preserving fighter strength for Britain's defense rather than sending them to France. The narrative describes the first encounters with the Luftwaffe, the tactics used, and the initial days of the battle.

The RAF pilots were learning on the job, with the Battle of Britain marking a steep learning curve for them. By the end of the first day, the RAF had lost six aircraft, but the Luftwaffe had lost 39. The RAF's strategy was largely due to the foresight of Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding, who had argued against sending fighter squadrons to France and instead focused on preserving them for Britain's defense. The RAF's tactics involved intercepting enemy bombers before they could reach their targets, which led to some initial misunderstandings with the army during the evacuation of Dunkirk. The Luftwaffe's attempts to draw out the RAF by attacking shipping in the channel were met with a minimal response, as the RAF aimed to conserve its strength.

Despite the fall of France, Britain's resolve to continue fighting was strong, a sentiment that was not well understood by Hitler. The British people were determined not to be beaten, and Hitler's expectation of a negotiated settlement was misplaced. The Luftwaffe, under the command of Hermann Goering, prepared for the invasion of Britain, known as Operation Sea Lion, which could not proceed without air superiority. The German air force began targeting British coastal shipping and the RAF responded with a limited number of fighters, aiming to disrupt enemy attacks without engaging in large-scale combat.

Air Chief Marshal Dowding's vision for the air defense of Britain included the development of RDF (Radio Direction-Finding), later known as radar. This technology provided a significant advantage, giving the RAF forewarning of incoming German formations. The radar system was complemented by a control and reporting system that allowed for efficient plotting and response to threats. The RAF's use of radar and a sophisticated command and control system was a major factor in their ability to counter the numerically superior Luftwaffe.

The RAF's Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft were central to the battle. The Spitfire, despite being outnumbered by the Luftwaffe's aircraft, was considered by many pilots to be superior in terms of speed and maneuverability. The Hurricane, while not as agile as the Spitfire, was a rugged and reliable aircraft that could withstand significant damage. The battle had a profound impact on the pilots, who had to learn valuable lessons about air combat quickly and often the hard way. The German's flexible 'finger four' formation was more effective than the RAF's traditional tight formations, which were less adaptable to the changing dynamics of aerial combat.

As the air fighting intensified, factories worked around the clock to produce new aircraft and repair damaged machines. The civilian repair organizations played a crucial role in rebuilding aircraft, with some 160 aircraft being repaired in a week. This effort was essential in maintaining the RAF's fighting strength. Meanwhile, Fighter Command continued to use its warning and command and control systems to give its squadrons every advantage when intercepting enemy formations.

On August 1, Hitler issued Directive 17, which ordered the German air force to overcome the British air force as soon as possible. The Luftwaffe shifted its focus to targeting Fighter Command itself, including attacks on radar stations and airfields. The radar stations, crucial to Britain's air defense, were heavily damaged, creating a massive blind spot in the country's defenses. Despite this, RAF personnel worked tirelessly to repair the damage, and the radar stations were quickly back in service.

The German air force had planned an all-out aerial onslaught on the British Isles, known as Eagle Day, which was set to begin on August 13. However, poor weather, including cloud and drizzling rain, reduced the scope of air operations. Despite this, the German pilots received their instructions, and the preparations for the intensive period of operations continued. The British, aware of their vulnerable defenses, prepared for the anticipated attacks.

As the German bombers and fighters took to the air, RAF Fighter Command entered a desperate fight for survival. The first wave of bombers, carrying high explosives and incendiaries, were joined by their fighter escorts and headed for Britain. The RAF rose up to meet this aerial armada, marking the beginning of a critical phase in the battle for Britain's airspace and the survival of the island nation.