History of the Second World War 232: The Battle of Britain Pt. 7 - Battle of Britain Day
Sep 10, 2025
On September 15, 1940, the Luftwaffe intensified their assault in a critical daylight raid over London. Over 500 bombers, supported by fighters, aimed to cripple key infrastructure, but the RAF Fighter Command launched a coordinated defense. Their swift responses turned the air above London chaotic, revealing the Germans’ underestimation of British resilience. After significant losses, Hitler postponed his plans for invasion, marking this date not just as a turning point in aerial warfare, but the dawn of the Blitz.
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Airshow Memory Versus 1940 Reality
- The host recounts attending the 2024 Battle of Britain Day air show at IWM Duxford and hearing Hurricanes and Spitfires fly.
- He contrasts the enjoyable air-show perspective with the terrifying reality faced on 15 September 1940.
September 15 Was The Climactic Attempt
- September 15, 1940 was the climactic daylight assault of the Luftwaffe's campaign aiming to enable Operation Sea Lion.
- Despite being a 'maximum effort,' the raid exposed German shortages of men, aircraft, and time.
Two-Phase Raid To Protect An Invasion
- The German plan used a smaller heavily escorted raid to distract RAF fighters, followed by a larger strike to hit railways and docks.
- Their aim was to cripple transport to the southeast coast to support an invasion force.