History - War at a Glance

The Battle of Britain The Battle of Britain is the first large-scale modern air battle and the first air battle to determine the outcome of a war. It also marks the first time that radar is used extensively. It lays the foundation for Allied supremacy in the air over Europe. Perhaps most importantly, it keeps England in the war and gives the public a badly needed morale boost. The idea of invading England is presented to Hitler by several high-ranking officers. Hitler initially wants a treaty with the British, but the unqualified success of the offensive against France, Belgium, and The Netherlands changes his mind. On July 2, 1940, the German high command issues an order that states “... landing in England is possible.” Air Marshal Hermann Goering orders an air blockade of England, with the aim of destroying the Royal Air Force (RAF) in preparation for an invasion. See Also First Strikes Eagle Day The Blitz Winged Victory