What was the course of the Battle of Britain?

Churchill made a series of visits to areas that might be invaded, watched military exercises in Kent and Sussex, and inspected the fortifications in Harriet and Dover. He also visited the northeast coastal areas, which greatly boosted the morale of the military and civilians.

Churchill also spoke directly to the national military and civilians through radio in a way that his predecessor had never used before, inspiring everyone's fighting courage with strong determination and belief in winning. It is estimated that more than 64% adults in China listened to his radio speech on July 14 and were moved.

The first fierce German attack on Britain began in July 10, which is usually considered as the day when air combat began. 16 in July, Hitler issued the order 16 "about preparing to land in Britain", the so-called "sea lion plan". The preparations for this order should be completed in mid-August, and its operational purpose is to "clear the British mainland as a base for fighting against Germany and occupy it all if necessary."

There are three overlapping stages in the German attack. The first stage, from July 10 to August 18, bombed the British escort fleet and the southern port, drew out the British air force, and tried to consume it and gain air superiority; This is a prerequisite for landing across the sea. Therefore, air strikes by the German Air Force became more and more frequent during this period. However, the Royal Air Force only dispatched some fighters to fight. Although this caused some losses to ports and ships, and sank four destroyers and the 18 merchant ship, the strength of the air force was preserved and the enemy paid a heavy price. The British Air Force lost 148 planes, while the German Air Force had 296 planes shot down and 135 planes were injured.

Due to the bad weather, the air combat stopped for five days from August 19 to 23. In the second phase, which began on August 24th, the German Air Force first planned to destroy the sector station of the British Air Force Ground Communication Command Center. During the period from August 24th to September 6th, the German Air Force dispatched more than 1000 sorties every day, which caused serious damage to five border airports in southern England and almost completely destroyed six of the seven sector stations. 446 planes were shot down or injured; 103 pilots died, 128 pilots were seriously injured, accounting for14 of all pilots at that time. Churchill was "very anxious" about this. At the critical moment when the British Air Force suffered heavy losses and could not support the situation, Goering made a second and more serious tactical mistake. On September 7, the German Air Force turned to carry out a large-scale night attack on London. This is a major turning point in the first great air battle in world history. The British air force was able to breathe, and this tactical change brought serious consequences to Hitler and Goering.

On September 7th, the German Air Force invested 625 bombers and 648 fighter planes to bomb London on a large scale.

Since August 24th, London has been attacked by air for 82 out of 85 consecutive nights. From September 7th to165438+1October 3rd, an average of 200 German planes bombed London every night, and the bombing of London lasted for 57 days without interruption. The largest city in the world has withstood the most severe test. In retaliation, the British Air Force also bombed Berlin. Because of the long distance, the scale of bombing Berlin was not large, and the casualties and losses of the Germans were not serious, but the impact on the morale of the Germans and the psychology of the people was enormous.

In order to reduce the harm caused by air strikes, Churchill instructed the establishment of an emergency alarm system which he called "Jim Crow". In order to help those people whose houses and property were seriously damaged in the bombing, he quickly made a war insurance plan. Through Professor Lin Deman, he also organized scientists to use science and technology to sabotage the German air offensive and make the incoming enemy planes go astray.

165438+ 10, the air combat entered the third stage. The Germans once again changed the main target of their air strikes, trying to destroy the industrial production center in Britain. This action began with the Coventry bombing in June, 5438+04, but it didn't last that long and didn't achieve their goal. The output of British aircraft not only did not drop, but also surpassed the Germans in the ratio of 9224 to 8070 in 1940.

Hitler's plan to invade the British Isles was completely bankrupt because the British people were sincere, United and brave under the leadership of the government headed by Churchill. /kloc-in September of 0/9, Hitler decided to postpone the "sea lion" plan indefinitely; 65438+1October 65438+February officially announced that the invasion was postponed to the following spring; 194 1 July, Hitler once again postponed the invasion to1spring of 942. By1February 942 13, at the suggestion of Admiral Lei Deer, Hitler finally agreed to give up the "Sea Lion" plan completely. The Battle of Britain ended in a complete victory for the British people.