In July 1940, the "Asik Island Incident" completely broke out the conflict between China and Britain!
"Operation Sea Lion" officially begins in Europe.
On May 10, 1940, the German army launched its main offensive on the Western Front. Three army groups and 141 divisions suddenly launched an attack on France, Belgium and the Netherlands. The German air force included 1,100 medium bombers and 400 "Stukas"
Type dive bombers, 850 BF109 and 350 BF110 escort fighters, and 500 transport aircraft and gliders for aerial supply and airborne missions.
The offensive method was the same as that in Poland. At dawn on May 10, the German bombers and "Stuka" dive bomber group first bombed the enemy's airfield, and then entered deep behind the enemy's rear to attack communication and transportation targets.
At the same time, the German army airdropped multiple squads via parachutes and gliders to seize key bridges. Although they encountered fierce resistance and suffered heavy losses to their "Junkers" JU52 aircraft, most of the German operations were successful.
The German bomber brigade also bombed enemy cities: the bombing of Rotterdam on May 14 destroyed the city's core facilities, killed 1,000 civilians, and made 70,000 homeless. Soon after the war began, the German army captured the entire front
air superiority. The German BF109 aircraft is superior in performance to the French MS406 and the British "Hurricane" fighter jets, and the German army's training and tactical advantages played a decisive role. Even if the Allied aircraft barely crossed
If they break the air defense line of the Luftwaffe fighters, they will also be violently attacked by the ground anti-aircraft firepower of the Luftwaffe anti-aircraft artillery force. On the afternoon of May 14, 37 "Fighting" light bombers of the British Army attacked the pontoon bridge erected by the German Army on the Maas River.
The attack was carried out and 28 aircraft were shot down.
Since there is no need to worry about being attacked by enemy forces, the Luftwaffe's dive bombers can provide support to the army at will. Whenever the German armored forces encounter resistance during their advance, the "Stuka" bombers will attack them within a few minutes.
Flying over the target. The psychological effect of the precise attack of the German dive bombers was considerable. By the end of the battle, the British and French troops fled in a panic almost as soon as they heard the characteristic siren of the incoming "Stuka" bomber.
By the end of May, the British Expeditionary Force was besieged on the coast of Dunkirk, and it seemed that it was only a matter of time before it was wiped out. At this time, Hitler issued an order for the armored forces to stop advancing, because Hermann Goering claimed that the air force could annihilate
Resolve the battle.
However, for the first time since the war began, the Luftwaffe was unable to win the battle with air superiority. Over Dunkirk, they encountered British Spitfires, which the Royal Air Force had left to defend the British.
Aircraft sent to the battlefield in France. Now, German "Messerschmitt" fighter pilots faced aircraft that were at least equal to them in performance. German bombers and dive bombers could no longer count on safely approaching their targets, although
They caused heavy losses to the Allied rescue forces, but the price paid was also heavy. The German army ultimately failed to prevent the Allied rescue operations: more than 300,000 British and French troops escaped.
The soldiers on the German front line knew very well that in the coming weeks and even months, the Royal Air Force would be their formidable opponent.
Germany's massive air attack on Britain, what Churchill called the "Battle of Britain", began on August 13, 1940.
However, as early as June 30, Goering issued the "General Instructions for the Luftwaffe's Operations Against Britain", which clearly stated that the main goal of the Luftwaffe was to destroy the Royal Air Force, air force airports and their supporting industries. On July 11, the Reich
Field Marshal Göring announced that Germany would attack ships in the English Channel.
When the German bombers tried to intercept the British convoy, they were attacked by the Royal Air Force. The previously invincible "Stuka" dive bombers appeared particularly vulnerable at this time, and their prestige was ruined. In June and July, the Luftwaffe
Small-scale attacks on Britain continued to be launched from airfields in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Scandinavia. These operations provided the Royal Air Force with the opportunity to test its defenses before a large-scale offensive in August and September.
Opportunity. It soon became clear that, although the Luftwaffe had more aircraft, the RAF had a clear advantage in some respects.
In order to fight against Britain, Germany assembled 1,260 medium bombers, about 320 dive bombers, 800 single-engine and 280 twin-engine fighters, and hundreds of reconnaissance aircraft. The German Air Force was divided into 3 air groups, led by Albert
The 2nd Air Force commanded by Marshal Kesselring was deployed in eastern France and the Low Countries, the 3rd Air Force commanded by Marshal Hugo Speller was deployed in western France, and Hans-Jürgen Stumpf
The 5th Air Force commanded by the general is deployed in Scandinavia and will fly over the North Sea to attack Britain!
In order to deal with the German Air Force's attack, the United Kingdom established a Fighter Command, with Air Force General Hugh Dowding as the commander-in-chief. A fighter air force was deployed in each major region of the United Kingdom to provide protection. The 10th Air Force was responsible for guarding the southwest region.
The 11th Air Force, commanded by Major General Keith Parker, is responsible for guarding the southeastern area, closest to the enemy; the 12th Air Force, commanded by Major General Trafford Leigh-Mallory, is deployed in East and Central England.
area; the 13th Air Force is responsible for the northern and Scottish areas. The Fighter Command has a total of 900 fighter jets in the main theater, of which 600 can be directly commanded by General Dowding for combat use.
The air defense radar network distributed in strips in the UK provides strong support to the Royal Air Force. Although the radar network was built only 5 years ago, it can detect high-flying aircraft deep in northern France. Low-flying intruders can detect
Detected within 35 kilometers, which is equivalent to the width of the Strait of Dover. The advanced ground control system creates conditions for the UK to maximize the use of these resources. With the radar’s early warning information, the divisional console can command and guide fighter jets to take off early.
, intercepting Luftwaffe aircraft before they reach their targets.
Among the German Air Force's "Messerschmitt" BF109 fighters, there is a single-seat fighter with excellent performance. This fighter is extremely fast and flexible, and has good climbing and dive performance. Its only flaw is its short range.
This makes it unable to undertake the escort mission in southeastern England. Even if it flies over London, its air combat time is only a few minutes, otherwise there will not be enough time to return to the base. The volume of the "Messerschmitt" BF110 fighter
It is large, fast, and has a longer range than the BF109. The weapons on the fuselage are also very powerful, including 4 machine guns and 2 20 mm cannons. However, this type of fighter cannot fight against the British army's faster speed and maneuverability.
Stronger "Hurricane" and "Spitfire" fighter jets. The "Junkers" JU87 "Stuka" aircraft was the big winner in the Spanish Civil War, the Battle of Poland and the Battle of France, and it can be said to be famous. However, with high-performance
In a battle with fighter jets, it was vulnerable. It flew slowly, had a heavy fuselage, and was shot down by the Royal Air Force many times.
According to the plan, the German bomber air force was the main force in carrying out air raids. But this time it was unable to complete its mission. In past tactical operations, the German air force bomber wing can be said to have stood out. In these operations, the German air raids used
The enemy airfields were suppressed and then occupied by ground forces. However, the bomber force was not suitable for strategic bombing of distant industrial centers. Before the war, the German Dornier DO17 and Heinkel He111
Type bombers have always been considered to be extremely fast aircraft, but they appear to be very vulnerable when faced with a determined counterattack by British single-seat fighter jets. Although the performance of the newly introduced "Junkers" JU88 combat aircraft by the German army is quite good,
But it is also not comparable to the British "Spitfire" fighter jet.
On the British side, the main models of the Royal Air Force are "Spitfire" and "Hurricane" fighter jets. Both aircraft are equipped with eight 7.7 mm "Browning" machine guns. Although the "Hurricane" aircraft
They account for the majority in active service, but in comparison, the performance of the "Spitfire" aircraft is more outstanding - a direct reflection of which is that most of the aircraft lost by the Royal Air Force in the battle were "Hurricane" fighters. Therefore,
During the battle, the British army mainly used the faster "Spitfire" fighter jets to deal with the German BF109 escort aircraft, and used the slower but equally agile "Hurricane" fighter jets to attack the German bombers.
Since the Royal Air Force was fighting over its homeland, British pilots whose planes were hit but survived without being seriously injured could return to combat within 24 hours or even less. However, downed Luftwaffe pilots were
They were sent directly to the prisoner of war camp. For those pilots who landed in the English Channel, both sides sent high-speed motorboats and seaplanes from the British mainland and German-occupied French territory respectively, and launched a rescue and counter-rescue competition.
On July 19, Hitler delivered a speech to Britain in the German Reichstag, the so-called "last rational appeal." He said: "If we must persist in the war, the war will definitely end with the complete destruction of one of the belligerents. Perhaps
, Mr. Churchill thought it would be Germany that would be destroyed, but I know it would be England."
Since Hitler's "peace appeal" did not receive a positive response from the British government, the German army issued an order to launch a large-scale air raid on the Royal Air Force on August 12th - "Eagle Day"!