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The order is given by Reichsmarschall Hermann Göering
He is head of the Luftwaff and wants to draw the RAF into battle. Attacks are going to be focused on coastal convoys, radar stations along the south coast, aircraft factories and RAF airfields. -
The Kanalkampf
The German air force began running fights over convoys in the Channel, occasionally dive-bombing cargo ships -
The Luftwaffe began laying mines around Britain
This would continue until early September. -
Adlerangriff (‘Eagle Attack’)
Germany began their main raids across Britain. This was a systematic assault on radar stations and forward fighter airfields -
'The Greatest Day’
This is otherwise known as ‘Black Thursday’ for the Luftwaffe. The greatest number of attacks of the Battle occurred on the 15th and 16th, concentrating on airfields. -
The German land invasion
"Operation Sea Lion", was called off until further notice, and never took place. -
Both sides saw their greatest losses of the Battle of Britain
This day became known as ‘The Hardest Day’. Airfields in the South and South-East were bombed, with Kenley particularly badly damaged. -
Attacks began in earnest on aircraft factories
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Churchill made his famous speech to Parliament
"Never in the field of human conflict has so much been owed by so many to so few." -
Attacks were ordered on RAF airfields
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Bombs were dropped over residential areas of London
Some maintain mistakenly. Heavy night-time bombing raids continued until 15 September and to a lesser extent for several years. -
Attacks were concentrated on the South-East
Particularly airfields, and on knocking out Fighter Command. -
Fighter Command suffered its heaviest losses to date
Debden airfiled was hit by 100 bombs. Six out of the seven main bases in South-East England had been heavily damaged -
The assault was switched to massed attacks on London
Major cities, aircraft factories and other targets. Nearly 400 bombers and more than 600 fighters targeted the docks in the East End of London, day and night. The Luftwaffe switched to night bombing to avoid the large numbers of fighters doing day raids. -
A massive attack on London saw inaccurate bombing due to the determined defence put up by RAF fighters
The Germans suffered their highest losses since 18 August. This day was chosen as Battle of Britain Day. From this point the Luftwaffe were forced to gradually scale down their attacks -
The last great effort of the German bombers
Five raids were planned. One heading for London and a second one was intercepted and 12 fighter bombers shot down. Three raids totalling 112 fighter-bombers attacked Portsmouth -
Raids petered out as the weather worsened
Bombing of London had continued, and would continue, from September for several years. However this day is generally regarded as the final day of the Battle of Britain, and October the month in which regular bombing of Britain ceased.
