Image: An air battle, 1940. Public Domain Image
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REMEMBERING 85-YEARS ON...
Today marks the 85th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Following the evacuation from Dunkirk, Hitler planned to invade Britain in 1940. He codenamed it Operation ‘Sealion’ and moved towards gaining control over British skies. What ensued were multiple air campaigns by RAF Fighter Command, battling with the Luftwaffe for air superiority.
Image: A K9795, the ninth production Mk I Supermarine Spitfire, with 19 Squadron Royal Air Force, 1938. Public Domain Image.
The Battle of Britain was a major air campaign, taking place between July and October 1940, predominantly over southern England. On 13 August the Luftwaffe launched their main offensive by attacking British ships in the English Channel and coastal targets. The pressure was colossal. Fighter Command maintained a strong opposition.
The battle intensified during the last week of August and the first week of September as the Germans aimed to destroy Fighter Command. Following the most significant blow to Fighter Command on 31 August, the Luftwaffe concluded that the RAF was on its knees. Yet they overestimated the damage caused. Airfields endured significant damage, but many remained operational.
The Germans shifted their focus from RAF targets to London in early September. On 15 September 1940, Fighter Command repelled an immense Luftwaffe assault. The damage and losses incurred during this day made Hitler’s operation unsustainable. It was the turning point in the battle. Fighting continued for several weeks, but the Luftwaffe failed to secure control over the skies and Hitler indefinitely postponed Operation ‘Sealion’.
PRAY WITH US
Last year, ASR Steven Dougherty compiled this prayer during his time as a Scripture Reader at RAF Northolt.
Gracious God,
We come before you with thanksgiving to honour those in the RAF who fought so valiantly and died during the Battle of Britain. We give you thanks once more for the liberty which that battle preserved for us and the world. We remember their successors; our colleagues now engaged in many parts of the world and pray you would watch over them.
Our book SASRA in the Second World War covers the Association’s activities across the world during WWII. If you would like a free copy, please contact our head office to take up the offer. Email admin@sasra.org.uk or call 03000 301 302. All we ask is for postage and package costs of £2.99 to be covered and a donation if you wish, following prayerful consideration.
