Battle of Britain, Day 1

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March 16, 2015

What now?Britain stands alone.

Battle of Britain, Day 1

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March 16, 2015

Germany fully considers a land invasion of Britain, decides they must destroy the RAF.

Battle of Britain, Day 1

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March 16, 2015

Battle of Britain, Day 1

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March 16, 2015

Battle of Britain Begins

• German Luftwaffe first only targets RAF bases in the south of England.

• Soften them up, invade.

• Spitfires are amazing planes

Battle of Britain, Day 1

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March 16, 2015

Spitfire Specs

• One engine

• Closed cockpit, oxygen mask for pilot

• Max speed: 369 mph

• Service ceiling: 36,000 ft.

• Armament: 8 machine guns; 1,200 rounds a minute

Battle of Britain, Day 1

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March 16, 2015

Battle of Britain, Day 1

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March 16, 2015

http://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2011/07/world­war­ii­the­battle­of­britain/100102/#img06

Battle of Britain, Day 1

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March 16, 2015

The Luftwaffe fails to wipe out the air bases.

• But...

• By accident, one night, a bomber group accidentally bombs London

Battle of Britain, Day 1

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March 16, 2015

Churchill is not pleased.

• Orders air raid on Berlin

• Now Hitler is mad!

• Orders heavy bombing of London

• "The Blitz"

Battle of Britain, Day 1

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March 16, 2015

http://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2011/07/world­war­ii­the­battle­of­britain/100102/#img02

http://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2011/07/world­war­ii­the­battle­of­britain/100102/#img05

http://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2011/07/world­war­ii­the­battle­of­britain/100102/#img15

http://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2011/07/world­war­ii­the­battle­of­britain/100102/#img20

http://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2011/07/world­war­ii­the­battle­of­britain/100102/#img26

http://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2011/07/world­war­ii­the­battle­of­britain/100102/#img30

Battle of Britain, Day 1

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March 16, 2015

This is actually good for Britain

• Gives RAF time to rebuild

• End up with more fighters than before

• Building more quickly than the Germans

Battle of Britain, Day 1

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March 16, 2015

Costs and Casualties

• Luftwaffe: 1,900 planes, 2,500 aircrew

• RAF: 544 pilots

• RAF: 1,000 bomber aircrew

• 40,000 civilian deaths

Battle of Britain, Day 1

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March 16, 2015

Images of Battle of Britain

http://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2011/10/world­war­ii­after­the­war/100180/#img17

http://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2011/07/world­war­ii­the­battle­of­britain/100102/