The Blitz

:For other meanings see Blitz (disambiguation)

Prelude

After the defeat of France, the Battle of Britain began in July 1940. From July to September, the Luftwaffe pursued a strategy of directly challenging the British Royal Air Force in an attempt to gain air superiority as a prelude to a planned seaborne and land invasion (see Operation Sealion). This involved the large-scale bombardment of British airfields in an effort to destroy the RAF's ability to combat an invasion. The RAF suffered a high rate of attrition of both aircraft and pilots, although the Germans never committed more than a third of their twin-engined bomber force.

Related Topics:
France - Battle of Britain - Luftwaffe - Royal Air Force - Air superiority - Operation Sealion - Airfield - Attrition

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The RAF came much closer to defeat than was publicly admitted at the time and, had the Luftwaffe persisted, it would probably have achieved air superiority in due course. However, the Germans overestimated the RAF's strength and believed that they first needed to destroy strategic installations such as aircraft factories and dockyards and thus deny the RAF the reinforcements it required. In late August 1940, before the date normally associated with the start of the Blitz, the Luftwaffe attacked industrial targets in Birmingham (on 25–26 August) and Liverpool (28–31 August and 4–6 September).

Related Topics:
Birmingham - Liverpool

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On 5 September, Adolf Hitler issued a directive stating a requirement ?for disruptive attacks on the population and air defences of major British cities, including London, by day and night. The Luftwaffe consequently switched to day and night bombardment of British cities, concentrating on London. This had the unintended consequence of relieving pressure on the RAF's airfields.

Related Topics:
5 September - Adolf Hitler

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