Battle of Britain (July 1940)

German Luftwaffe Junker Ju-87 Pilot

11^th July 1940

The attack on Britain has begun! The only country in all of Europe that is still resisting the Führer, will not survive for long. To Britain’s north and west is open sea and though it is still under the control of the Royal Navy, German submarines have successfully infiltrated the waters have already sunk many warships and merchantmen. To Britain’s Northeast, East and South are the newly occupied German territories of Norway, Denmark, Holland, Belgium and France.

I have flown in the first raids on Britain and the Junker Ju-87’s ability to attack in a near-vertical dive will terrorize Britain, just as it had in Rotterdam and Warsaw. The British possess no bomber of this caliber.

Furthermore, our pilots we much more experienced and we have no difficulty in attracting a steady stream of well-trained pilots. Göring has ensured this by intentionally arranging excellent salaries, uniforms and conditions for the Luftwaffe.

We are now awaiting the Führer’s command for the Luftwaffe to launch its major offensive. The coordination of the army, navy and Luftwaffe, must be underway. The Supreme Commander will orchestrate this so that the British will find themselves paralysed, unable to defend themselves against the combined prowess of German might.

The tactics that we are employing have been honed through years of experience and training and its unlikely that the RAF will be able to merely replicate them. The loose Schwarmen that is being used has destroyed RAF squadrons. It comprises of 2 pairs of pilots, with each pair comprising of a leader and his wingman. The wingmen are responsible for guarding the tail, while the leaders are better marksmen and more experienced pilots. Also, the ingenuity of the formation, that each aircraft is at a slightly different altitude, helps to reduce the risk of collision. The British will come to realize that German might and experience are not to be trifled with.

Battle of Britain (July 1940)

Hugh Dowding

RAF: Commander in Chief of Fighter Command

11^th July 1940

The Air Ministry is hounding me to retire and has proposed five different dates for my retirement. Instead of letting me concentrate on bringing my squadrons to battle readiness, the Chief of Air Staff prefers to focus on the specific date of my retirement. They claim that I have been too blunt and disrespectful. But why should I have to sugarcoat my critique to those lower in rank than me?

Sir Cyril Newall, Chief of Air Staff, reasons that he has no other choice, as he needs to provide a path of promotion for others. The correspondence over this issue has dragged on for far too long, and proves the Air Ministry’s determination in appointing a new leader for Fighter Command.

My reluctance to retire at this crucial point is because there does not seem to be anyone who shares my determination to retain the current level and even increase the Defense Forces of Britain. I do not wish to have to continue diverting my attention from the defense of Britain, as this will compromise both my future and Britain’s.

Shipping has been disrupted due to attacks on British coastal convoys and air battles over the Channels. The Germans, led by Oberst Fink, have been presumably ordered to try to cut off our supplies. However, I am now in a dilemma. On one hand, if the RAF were to send fighters up to protect the shipping, then they would be involved in a battle of attrition and be worn out before the Germans launch Adlerangriff. Conversely, if RAF does not send any fighters up, then numerous British ships will be sunk. On 8^th July, the Fighter Command had a total of 58 squadrons, but 8 are still non-operational. My main priority is to ensure that Fighter Command is not destroyed or paralysed as this would grant German planes unobstructed access. Also, the majority of the German Air Force, more than 1000 bombers and 400 fighters, are a direct threat to the No 11 Group, comprising of 12 Hurricanes, 6 Spitfires and 4 Blenheims squadrons; and 553 fighter pilots. If I were to engage squadrons from other groups, the security of other areas will be compromised. At this point, it is almost impossible to determine German objectives.

Radar is not advantageous to us at this point in time, as the German fleet is able to fly out of range. The German fleet had been expected to arrive from the coast and as such, most of the Chain Home stations are facing the sea, rendering them useless once the planes have crossed the coastline. Furthermore, it requires only 5 minutes for planes to cross the channel but takes 15 minutes for a Spitfire to climb high enough to fight them.

Thankfully, there has been an endless stream of solo German aircraft today, and we were able to send lone aircraft up to meet them.