…Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.” Prime Minister Winston Churchill, August 1940 Defending the Nation -“The Nation at War” The Battle of Britain Press ‘Esc’ at any time to end the presentation.

Did the Luftwaffe underestimate Britain’s defences and resolve ? Images provided by The Battle of Britain Historical Society

Adolf Hitler called off the invasion of Britain on 17 th September The invasion was postponed indefinitely. Key Question: Was the Battle of Britain and its outcome a major turning point in World War Two? Fighting Germany alone, Britain had managed to defeat a numerically superior force. The British defensive system had ensured that the fight against Germany and her allies would continue and the victory provided the armed forces with ‘a breathing space’ that enabled Britain to regroup. The British Empire gathered its strength and planned for future conflict in other theatres of war – Africa and the Mediterranean, the Atlantic and eventually the European Continent. Germany meanwhile turned her attention to the east, launching Operation Barbarossa against Russia in She had now opened a war on two fronts.

Was the Battle of Britain a Turning Point during World War Two? The Defeat of France – June 1940 Invasion of Russia – 1941 Operation Sealion Postponed Luftwaffe failed to gain air superiority over Great Britain D - Day – June 1944 The bombing of German towns and cities by British and U.S. forces What would have happened if Great Britain had been invaded and defeated?

Can the Battle of Britain be seen as a major turning point of World War Two? “Three major battles signalled the end of the initial, defensive, phase of the conflict for the Allies: in the west the Battle of Britain; in Russia, the halting of the German advance in front of Moscow; and in the Pacific, the Battle of Midway. In each case, following a succession of disastrous military setbacks, Allied forces secured a victory that stopped the Axis advance in its tracks and established a breathing space in which to build up their strength before going over to the defensive. The Battle of Britain was the first…and, arguably, the most important: had it not been won by the R.A.F., the other battles might never have taken place; or, if they had taken place, their outcome might have been different.” Alfred Price, The Battle of Britain (1990)

Can the Battle of Britain be seen as a major turning point of World War Two? “If Goering’s air fleets had succeeded in destroying the British defences, Hitler would almost certainly have seized his chance to launch an invasion….Dowding’s 3,000-odd pilots had…done an enormous amount to convince America that Britain could survive, and was worth supporting.” Len Deighton, The Battle of Britain (1980)

“The Battle of Britain did much to change both attitudes and expectations. It was fought in full daylight in full view of millions of spectators. It was fought to the encouraging and incomparable commentary of Winston Churchill, whose words affected attitudes far beyond Britain…The David and Goliath nature of the conflict, the reports and photographs of the bombing of London and other British cities, the undoubted heroism not only of British airmen but of millions of men and women on the ground, tilted sympathy our way. All of that added up to a factor of enormous importance in the development of the war against Germany.” Can the Battle of Britain be seen as a major turning point of World War Two? Richard Townshend Bickers, The Battle of Britain (1990)