The Battle of Britain and RAF

1626 Words4 Pages

The Battle of Britain and RAF

'It was the strength and efficiency of the RAF which frustrated the

German attempts to defeat Britain in 1940'.

The question suggests that the RAF was strong and efficient and this

is the reason why the Germans were defeated in the Battle of Britain.

However, it is clear to see that the RAF and the British military were

actually very close to defeat at some stages throughout the Battle of

Britain. The victory of the island in the Battle of Britain cannot be

reduced to one common factor but involves emphasis on other ideas such

as the role of the Navy in comparison with the Kriegsmarine, the

events of Dunkirk and the role of certain personalities throughout

1940. Germany had many options in the Summer of 1940 and it is

questionable as to whether a 'Strategic Air War' was the route that

should have been taken. Similarly, it is debatable as to whether the

success of Britain was due to the faults of the enemy or the strength

of the RAF. However, overall it is important to realise that one of

the reasons why the German attempts to defeat Britain were

'frustrated' was because Germany made several mistakes during 1940.

The strength and efficiency of the RAF during the Battle of Britain is

an important factor when considering Germany's inability to defeat

Britain by the end of 1940. After Dunkirk in May 1940, both the German

Luftwaffe and the British RAF had lost many aircraft and trained

crews. Several weeks passed whilst the Luftwaffe replaced their losses

and took over airfields in the countries that they had captured. In

Britain, time was spent putting as many new fighters and trained

pilots into ser...

... middle of paper ...

...r. It may be possible to say that the RAF played a major

contributing in the eventual defeat of Germany in 1945, but the Nazi's

could have had victory overall and at a much earlier stage in 1940.

However, Germany's mistakes, underestimations and delays prevented

this and hindered the efforts of many millions of German servicemen.

The strategic decision of an attack via air may not have been the

initially mistake as by the beginning of September, the Germans were

winning. The downfall in Nazi strategic planning fell in the actions

and tactics during the battle and therefore, whilst the RAF fought

courageously and kept with technological advances, this did not serve

to save Britain. Indeed, the factor, which saved Britain and

consequently frustrated German attempts to defeat her, was in fact

their own strategic mistakes.

More about The Battle of Britain and RAF

Open Document