In short
In summer 1940, Nazi Germany launched a sustained aerial assault on Britain, betting it could bomb the country into surrender before invading. The Royal Air Force held the line through the summer and autumn, preventing the Luftwaffe from achieving air superiority—and with it, the invasion that Hitler had planned.
How it unfolded.
The five-minute version
What actually happened.
The Battle of Britain was a military campaign of the Second World War, in which the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) of the Royal Navy defended the United Kingdom against large-scale attacks by Nazi Germany's air force, the Luftwaffe. It was the first major military campaign fought entirely by air forces. It takes its name from the speech given by Prime Minister Winston Churchill to the House of Commons on 18 June, 1940: "What General Weygand called the 'Battle of France' is over. I expect that the Battle of Britain is about to begin."
As it was happening
13 voices, 113 days.
One beat at a time. Click any dot on the timeline to jump, press play for autoplay, or use the arrow keys to step.
Battle officially begins
The Luftwaffe launches sustained attacks on British convoys and airfields, marking the start of the campaign.
Voices from this moment (2)
The Times
Jul 11
“RAF Repels Nazi Air Assault - Britain's Fighter Strength…”
Battle officially begins
Jul 10
“The Luftwaffe launches sustained attacks on British convoys…”
As it was happening
13 voices, 113 days.
Day 0 · July 10, 1940
Battle officially begins
The Luftwaffe launches sustained attacks on British convoys and airfields, marking the start of the campaign.
“RAF Repels Nazi Air Assault - Britain's Fighter Strength…”
- The Times, Jul 11
“The Luftwaffe launches sustained attacks on British convoys…”
- Battle officially begins, Jul 10
Day 9 · July 19, 1940
Hitler issues invasion directive
Hitler issues Führer Directive No. 16, ordering preparations for Operation Sea Lion (Unternehmen Seelöwe), the planned invasion of Britain.
“Hitler issues Führer Directive No.”
- Hitler issues invasion directive, Jul 19
Day 22 · August 1, 1940
Luftwaffe intensifies assault
Germany escalates the campaign with larger raid formations targeting RAF airfields, aircraft factories, and radar stations across southern England.
“Spitfires and Hurricanes Turn Back German Bombers”
- The Daily Telegraph, Aug 2
“Germany escalates the campaign with larger raid formations…”
- Luftwaffe intensifies assault, Aug 1
Day 36 · August 15, 1940
Black Thursday
The Luftwaffe launches its largest attack yet with over 2,000 sorties; German losses prove unsustainable at 75 aircraft in a single day.
“Britain Fights for Survival in Aerial Warfare - RAF Defies…”
- The New York Times, Aug 15
“Nation Holds Breath as Fighter Pilots Defend the Skies”
- The Manchester Guardian, Aug 26
“The Luftwaffe launches its largest attack yet with over…”
- Black Thursday, Aug 15
Day 55 · September 3, 1940
RAF reserves near breaking point
Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding reports pilot fatigue and aircraft availability at critical levels as the RAF struggles to replace losses.
“Air Ministry Reports Heavy Toll on Luftwaffe - Home Defence…”
- BBC Radio News, Sep 3
“Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding reports pilot fatigue and…”
- RAF reserves near breaking point, Sep 3
Day 67 · September 15, 1940
Battle of Britain Day
The Luftwaffe loses 60 aircraft in two major attacks; German commanders realize air superiority is unachievable and begin planning the campaign's end.
“The Luftwaffe loses 60 aircraft in two major attacks;…”
- Battle of Britain Day, Sep 15
Day 79 · September 27, 1940
Germany abandons invasion plans
Hitler postpones Operation Sea Lion indefinitely, acknowledging the Luftwaffe's failure to neutralize the RAF.
“Hitler postpones Operation Sea Lion indefinitely,…”
- Germany abandons invasion plans, Sep 27
Day 113 · October 31, 1940
Battle officially concludes
The campaign ends after nearly four months; the Luftwaffe shifts to night bombing (the Blitz) against cities rather than military targets.
“The campaign ends after nearly four months; the Luftwaffe…”
- Battle officially concludes, Oct 31
The numbers.
4 numbers that anchor the scale.
By the numbers
The countable parts.
RAF fighter aircraft lost
0 (mostly Spitfires and Hurricanes)
Luftwaffe aircraft lost
0
British civilian deaths from bombing
0+ (1940-1941)
Radar stations operational for RAF
0 Chain Home stations
Front pages.
3 outlets carried the story: The Times, The Daily Telegraph, The New York Times.
Media coverage
What the world was reading.
5 pieces, ranked by how much they shaped the discourse.
The Daily Telegraph
Newspaper · United Kingdom · Aug 2, 1940
"Spitfires and Hurricanes Turn Back German Bombers"
British fighter pilots in their Spitfires and Hurricanes have proven match for the Luftwaffe's assault, destroying enemy aircraft at a ratio that gives hope to the nation. The aerial battle intensifies as Nazi Germany seeks air superiority before invasion.
- Jul 11, 1940
The Times
Newspaper · United Kingdom
"RAF Repels Nazi Air Assault - Britain's Fighter Strength Holds"
The Royal Air Force has successfully defended British airspace against sustained Luftwaffe attacks, with RAF fighters claiming significant enemy losses. Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding's command continues to mount fierce resistance against German bomber formations.
- Aug 15, 1940
The New York Times
Newspaper · United States
"Britain Fights for Survival in Aerial Warfare - RAF Defies Luftwaffe Onslaught"
Synthesized from period reporting - As Nazi Germany presses its air campaign against Britain, American observers note the critical nature of the RAF's defense. The outcome of this aerial battle may determine whether invasion of the British Isles becomes feasible.
- Sep 3, 1940
BBC Radio News
Radio · United Kingdom
"Air Ministry Reports Heavy Toll on Luftwaffe - Home Defence Succeeds"
Synthesized from period reporting - Official broadcasts confirm that British fighter squadrons have inflicted grave losses upon German aircraft, with the Luftwaffe's daylight assault proving costlier than anticipated. The RAF continues its resolute defense of the realm.
- Aug 26, 1940
The Manchester Guardian
Newspaper · United Kingdom
"Nation Holds Breath as Fighter Pilots Defend the Skies"
Young RAF pilots, many still in their twenties, mount daily sorties against overwhelming odds. Radar stations and ground crews work in concert with fighter command to repel wave after wave of German bombers in what may prove the decisive moment of the war.
Captured in time.
Captured before it changed
The web as it looked, the day it happened.
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Sources & citations.
Sources
Where this came from.
Every claim on this page traces to a public, license-clean source. We don't asterisk well.
Wikipedia
1 source- 1.Battle of Britain
en.wikipedia.org