Today…Today…

1.) The Phoney War1.) The Phoney War

2.) Battle of Britain note2.) Battle of Britain note

3.) Clip of Battle of 3.) Clip of Battle of BritainBritain

The Phoney WarThe Phoney War► This was also called the ‘This was also called the ‘SitzkriegSitzkrieg’’► After Germany’s invasion of Poland there After Germany’s invasion of Poland there

wasn’t any fighting until the spring of 1940wasn’t any fighting until the spring of 1940► Both sides were preparing defensivelyBoth sides were preparing defensively► The people of Britain were also preparingThe people of Britain were also preparing

► movie theatres would not let people in without a gas maskmovie theatres would not let people in without a gas mask► 400 million sandbags were put around homes and shops400 million sandbags were put around homes and shops► the London Zoo put down all posioness snakesthe London Zoo put down all posioness snakes► there was a wedding boomthere was a wedding boom► women were urged to support the men and the home frontwomen were urged to support the men and the home front

But Unfortunately the Phoney But Unfortunately the Phoney War Ended…War Ended…

► In April 1940 the Nazis launched their In April 1940 the Nazis launched their blitzkriegblitzkrieg against Denmark and Norwayagainst Denmark and Norway

► On May 10 Holland and Belgium were attacked On May 10 Holland and Belgium were attacked and the invasion of France beganand the invasion of France began

The Battle of BritainThe Battle of Britain

► On July 10, 1940 Hitler let loose a savage air attack on On July 10, 1940 Hitler let loose a savage air attack on BritainBritain

► The The Royal Air Force (RAF)Royal Air Force (RAF) was only half the size of the was only half the size of the German LuftwaffeGerman Luftwaffe

► The future of the British people depended on the The future of the British people depended on the success of just a few fighter pilotssuccess of just a few fighter pilots

► Throughout the summer of 1940, the RAF fought Throughout the summer of 1940, the RAF fought

fiercely against the Luftwaffefiercely against the Luftwaffe► At first the Luftwaffe was successful by knocking At first the Luftwaffe was successful by knocking

out airfields and supply factoriesout airfields and supply factories► But then the Luftwaffe blundered…But then the Luftwaffe blundered…► Two pilots mistakenly dropped bombs on London Two pilots mistakenly dropped bombs on London

and Churchill ordered bombing raids on Berlinand Churchill ordered bombing raids on Berlin► The bombing raids on Berlin pushed Hitler to The bombing raids on Berlin pushed Hitler to

change their successful strategies and attack change their successful strategies and attack LondonLondon

► But now the RAF knew where the Luftwaffe was But now the RAF knew where the Luftwaffe was going to attack and were preparedgoing to attack and were prepared

► 1000 Luftwaffe 1000 Luftwaffe bombers and 700 bombers and 700 fighters flew over fighters flew over London on September London on September 15 in a daylight raid15 in a daylight raid

► RAF Spitfires and RAF Spitfires and Hurricanes attacked Hurricanes attacked backback

► The Luftwaffe losses The Luftwaffe losses that day were enough that day were enough to convince Germany to to convince Germany to cancel their attackscancel their attacks

PHASE ONE – JULY 10th to AUGUST 7th

PHASE TWO –AUGUST 8th to SEPTEMBER 6th - The Pressure Grows

PHASE THREE – SEPTEMBER 7PHASE THREE – SEPTEMBER 7thth to OCTOBER 5 to OCTOBER 5thth – The Blitz – The Blitz

PHASE FOUR – OCTOBER 6PHASE FOUR – OCTOBER 6thth to OCTOBER 31st to OCTOBER 31st

► The German Luftwaffe lost to the RAF – The German Luftwaffe lost to the RAF – 1,733 planes to 9151,733 planes to 915

► This was the first battle that was completely This was the first battle that was completely in the airin the air

► Canadian pilots were part of the RAF and Canadian pilots were part of the RAF and the Royal Canadian Air Forcethe Royal Canadian Air Force

““Never in the field of human conflict has so much Never in the field of human conflict has so much been owed by so many to so few.”been owed by so many to so few.” ~ ~ Winston ChurchillWinston Churchill

Why did Britain win the Battle of Why did Britain win the Battle of Britain?Britain?

►The British had developed a radar The British had developed a radar system to help warn them of system to help warn them of approaching enemy aircraft – this approaching enemy aircraft – this allowed them time to get their own allowed them time to get their own fighter aircraft into the airfighter aircraft into the air

►When Churchill ordered a bomber raid When Churchill ordered a bomber raid on Berlin, Hitler was outraged and on Berlin, Hitler was outraged and began daylight bombings on London – began daylight bombings on London – this allowed the RAF to regroupthis allowed the RAF to regroup

The Spitfire...The Spitfire...

The Hurricane...The Hurricane...

Messerschmitt BF 110Messerschmitt BF 110

Time for the movie clip…Time for the movie clip…