July–October 1940General source · 2 sourcesWell documented
The Battle of Britain
On the timeline · around July–October 1940 ·
What happened
Germany's Luftwaffe fought to win air superiority over southern England in preparation for an invasion. RAF Fighter Command, flying Hurricanes and Spitfires and aided by a pioneering radar-based air-defense network, denied the Germans control of the skies. Hitler ultimately postponed the invasion.
Why it matters
It was the first major campaign fought entirely in the air, and Britain's victory ended the immediate threat of a German invasion of the British Isles.
Sources
- Imperial War Museums. 8 Things You Need To Know About The Battle of Britain · General source
- Royal Air Force Museum. The Battle of Britain: Phase One · General source