Battle of Britain

Question 1

What was the codename of Hitler’s plan to invade Britain?

Answer 1

Operation Sealion

Question 2

Why did Hitler need to have control of the air before invading Britain?

Answer 2

Hitler’s generals told him that the Germany navy was no match for the British navy. However, if the Luftwaffe (German air force) wiped out the Royal Air Force (RAF) it could then wipe out the British naval dockyards. This would leave Britain open for an invasion.

Question 3

When did the Battle of Britain take place?

Answer 3

It was a series of aerial conflicts in August and September 1940

Question 4

What was the order Hitler gave on 1 August 1940?

Answer 4

‘Using all possible means, the German air force will smash the British air force in as little time as possible’

Question 5

What was the the German air force called?

Answer 5

The Luftwaffe

Question 6

What did the Luftwaffe target early in the Battle of Britain?

Answer 6

• Docks
• War industries (factories etc.)
• Radar stations
• RAF sector stations
• RAF fighter bases

Question 7

When did Britain look close to defeat?

Answer 7

6 September 1940 - The RAF lost 119 aircraft and the RAF reserves were running low

Question 8

What was Hitler’s big mistake?

Answer 8

Hitler switched the Luftwaffe’s focus from RAF bases and RAF sector stations to the bombing of London. This allowed the RAF some breathing space to recover.

Question 9

What was the decisive date of the Battle of Britain and why?

Answer 9

15 September - The Luftwaffe tried an all-out daylight attack on London. The Germans lost 56 planes.

Question 10

When did Hitler call off Operation Sealion?

Answer 10

17 September 1940

Question 11

Who was the head of the Luftwaffe?

Answer 11

Hermann Goering

Question 12

What main geographical advantage did the British have over the Germans?

Answer 12

The British were fighting over their own territory. Pilots who were shot down could be quickly sent into combat. German pilots, however, were normally captured if they were shot down over mainland Britain.

Question 13

Who led the RAF?

Answer 13

Air Chief Marshall Dowding

Question 14

What was the benefit of radar?

Answer 14

It allowed the British planes to already be in the skies by the time the Luftwaffe arrived

Question 15

How did RAF sector stations help the British?

Answer 15

RAF sector stations were like nerve-centres. They could map out where the Luftwaffe were and send British planes to combat them quickly

Question 16

Who was in charge of the Luftwaffe? Why was this a problem?

Answer 16

Hermann Goering. He had little understanding of tactics and often sent bombers into battle unescorted by fighter planes - and thus unprotected

Question 17

What was the problem with German fighter planes?

Answer 17

They couldn’t carry enough fuel to fly for very long over Britain. This meant, for instance, they could not protect the German bombers during their attack on London on 15 Sept.