1940Luftwaffe Begins Assault on British Airfields

This is "Adler Tag" or "Eagle Day". Hermann Göring starts a...
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Year
1940

✈️ Luftwaffe Begins Assault on British Airfields

This is "Adler Tag" or "Eagle Day". Hermann Göring starts a two-week assault on British airfields in preparation for invasion. (For some German historians, this is the beginning of the "Battle of Britain.")
Luftwaffe Begins Assault on British Airfields (1940)
Battle of BritainLuftwaffeAir WarGermanyUKMilitary StrategyAerial BombardmentHermann GöringInvasion

☁️ Operation Sea Lion Postponed

Failure to achieve air superiority and bad weather in the Channel results in a postponement of the invasion of Great Britain.
GermanyUnited KingdomOperation Sea LionInvasionMilitary StrategyWeatherWorld War IIBattle of Britain

💥 Battle of Britain Continues; German Tactics Hampered

The Battle of Britain continues; Germans are hampered by poor aircraft range and British extensive use of RADAR.
Battle of Britain Continues; German Tactics Hampered (1940)
Battle of BritainGermanyUKAir WarRadarMilitary StrategyTacticsLuftwaffeRAF

🔥 Heavy Losses for German Bombers and Tactical Adjustments

Heavy fighting in the Battle of Britain; Germans suffering severe losses on bomber formations. Göring declares cowardice among his fighter pilots and orders them to closely guard the bombers, further restricting their capabilities.
Heavy Losses for German Bombers and Tactical Adjustments (1940)
Battle of BritainGermanyLuftwaffeAir CombatBomber CommandMilitary StrategyTacticsGöringRAF

💥 Luftwaffe Attacks Continue on British Targets

Luftwaffe attacks on British airfields continue, as well as on London. Attacks on Radar installations prove ineffective.
Battle of BritainLuftwaffeAir RaidsRadarMilitary StrategyBritish IslesAerial Warfare

🛑 German Invasion of Britain Postponed

Any German invasion of Britain is postponed until spring 1941 at the earliest.
GermanyUKBattle of BritainInvasionOperation Sea LionStrategic DecisionWar PlanningAir War