The Battle of Britain
"He [Hitler] has lighted a fire which will burn with a steady and consuming flame until the last vestiges of Nazi tyranny have been burnt out of Europe".
~ Winston Churchill
IMpossible Victory
Operation Sealion
Hitler was preparing Germany for European supremacy. During July 1940, his plans to succeed in this began with confronting Britain’s RAF in an aerial battle. Predicting an easy victory, Hitler began 'Operation Sealion' – German intelligence's code name for the Battle of Britain. Yet Churchill had no tolerance for considering surrender. In fact, the Battle of Britain proved the greatest of disadvantages can be conquered for those who ‘keep calm and carry on’.
"The Few"
Having captured France, Germany needed to occupy the English Channel in order to instigate land battle in England. As Germany’s success in attaining the Channel depended primarily on domination over British air, Hitler began surprise aerial attacks, inciting intimidation upon his opponent. This was WWII’s first major aerial battle. Through challenging the British in airborne battles, as well as airstrikes targeting RAF airports and civilian locations, Germany prepared for quick victory over the outnumbered RAF, dubbed even by Churchill, “The Few”. Unprecedented to Germany’s vast air force, “The Few”, were resilient and skilled pilots. On August 19th, the RAF were joined by Canadian, Czech and Polish pilots - all pilots of high calibre. The RAF, armed with long-flying Spitfires, were aided with excellent communication radios. Because German Messerschmitts were heavy - and thus less fuel efficient, their flights were limited. This combined with often poor communication systems greatly impacted Germany’s eventual failure.
The Blitz
During the early hours of August 25th, a German bomber strayed off course, accidently dropping its bombs in the heart of London. Infuriated, that very night Churchill ordered the RAF bomb Berlin. Because Hitler surmised that the Battle of Britain would end quickly, his unexpected frustration mounted as stalemate inconceivably progressed. Furthermore, now humiliated, his capital was aerially ambushed. He thus decided upon an intensified retaliation: disheartening Britain's people. During September, this scheme was executed through ‘The Blitz’ - heavy bombing on England’s largely populated London, Plymouth and Coventry. A massive fleet of 1,000 Luftwaffe crossed the channel. Although the RAF managed to ward the Germans off reasonably, the bombing killed 430 civilians and simultaneously inspired further hatred against the Nazis. Still, Britain remained undefeated. Churchill continued to rally England’s citizens: "He [Hitler] has lighted a fire which will burn with a steady and consuming flame until the last vestiges of Nazi tyranny have been burnt out of Europe". The action peaked on September 15th, Germany losing 56 aircraft to only 28 English planes. At last, defeated by the Allies’ small but mighty pilots, Germany discontinued Operation Sealion to a victorious Britain, turning instead towards Russia.
Astonishing success
Britain’s astonishing success can be measured simply by viewing the battle’s statistics: Germany lost 2,600 men, whereas Britain’s death toll summed to 544 pilots. Similarly, England lost fewer planes than their opponent.
In the face of Germany’s mega military prowess, Britain single-handedly maintained staunch valour and determination to ‘never surrender!’. Saving Europe from a potentially disastrous Nazi rule, England’s immovable resolve beckoned their impossible victory - a pivotal point in World War Two. |
a Civilian War Hero
Born in England, my Grandfather Chris Naylor, lived through World War Two, only eleven years old at the war’s start. He grimly recalls today the war’s unique impact on various aspects of his life. From blackout curtains to ration cards, Morrison shelters to discontinued school (due to bombed rail lines), my British Grandpa is a classic civilian war hero from World War Two.
Notable in his recollections are my Grandfather’s memories of the Battle of Britain. “The Battle of Britain was awful,” he summarises. Only 22 miles from the French coast, my grandfather and his family lived in the small village of Marden, Kent. As Kent is south of London, German bombers flew over Marden en route to the country’s capital. Thus, my Grandfather memorised both the constant rumble of Luftwaffe aircraft and the necessary precautions that affected civilians during this aerial battle. Every night before 7:00 - their curfew, either himself or one of his brothers would alternate in walking the house’s perimeter to check for any light escaping their blackout curtains. He remembers lying under his bed at night, and during ‘dirtier nights’ - occasions with heavy or nearby bombing, sleeping under their neighbour's stairs.
After the Battle of Britain, he recalls taking a train into London and viewing the devastation first-hand. During his visit, he remembers a unique scenario: St. Paul’s Cathedral stood alone, every building about it destroyed. Nearby, blasted bits of housing (mainly brick) were being cleared by a single man and his wheelbarrow. And although the battle had ended, his memories still remain: “Even today I can clearly see the skies filled with those old Douglas Dakotas and other planes en mass pulling gliders across the channel.” In 1947, he immigrated to Canada. |
Today, my family and I visit my Grandpa and Grandma at least once a week. I've been blessed to keep a strong connection and relationship with him. Like any good Brit, he enjoys gardening, classical music, Downton Abbey, tea and spending time with family. It’s heartwarming being close with my Grandpa and incredible to witness the first-hand impact World War Two has had on my family.
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Works Cited
Battle of Britain References
- "BBC - History - Germany Bombs London (pictures, Video, Facts & News)." BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 05 Jan. 2017.
- Cruickshank, Dan. "The German Threat to Britain in World War Two." BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2016.
- "History | From Vimy to Juno." History | From Vimy to Juno. Juno Beach Centre, n.d. Web. 05 Jan. 2017.
- "History of the Battle of Britain." Royal Canadian Air Force. Government of Canada, 12 Dec. 2016. Web. 05 Jan. 2017.
- March, William. "Battle Of Britain". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Toronto: Historica Canada, 2016. Web. 14 Jan 2016.
War Hero refernces
- Naylor, Chris. Personal interview. 3 January 2017.