(02) Why We Fight: "The Battle of Britain" 2/6

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Produced by the U.S. Army Special Service Division, and directed by Frank Capra "Why We Fight" is a seven part propaganda/documentary series that traces the earliest beginnings of the second world war starting with Japan's invasion of China in 1931, to the Nazi's march across europe.
Battle of Britain is the name given to the strategic effort by the Luftwaffe during the Second World War to gain air superiority over Fighter Command. The name derives from an 18 June 1940 speech in the House of Commons by Prime Minister Winston Churchill, "The Battle of France is over. I expect the Battle of Britain is about to begin..."[7]
Had it been successful, the planned amphibious and airborne landings in Britain of Operation Sealion would have followed. The Battle of Britain was the first major campaign to be fought entirely by air forces. It was the largest and most sustained bombing campaign attempted up until that date. The failure of Nazi Germany to destroy Britain's air defence or to break British morale is considered the Third Reich's first major defeat.
Neither Hitler nor the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW) believed it possible to carry out a successful amphibious assault on the British Isles until the RAF had been neutralized. Secondary objectives were to destroy aircraft production and ground infrastructure, to attack areas of political significance, and to terrorize the British people into seeking an armistice or surrender. Some historians have argued no invasion could have succeeded, asserting the massive superiority of the Royal Navy over the Kriegsmarine would have made Sealion a disaster. They argue the Luftwaffe would have been unable to prevent decisive intervention by British cruisers and destroyers, even with air superiority.[8][9]
British historians date the battle from 10 July to 31 October 1940, which represented the most intense period of daylight bombing. German historians usually place the beginning of the battle in mid-August 1940 and end it in May 1941, on the withdrawal of the bomber units in preparation for the attack on the USSR.

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• Britain
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• Spitfire
• Aircraft

[cliffburton333]

why is there an argument on every world war 2 video?

this is history, chill out

[2bn442RCT]

The internet is full of Monday morning quaterbacks and know it alls lol

[ajb1776]

Great Britain, via winning the Battle of Britain, saved world democracy. So much is truly owed to the oh so few pilots and gunners of the Royal Air Force. Freedom itself commands remembrance of their struggle and sacrifice.

[Bwkjam]

The Germans equipped their planes with sirens that let out that long high pitched scream when the planes dove, some people asociated the sound with a banshee scream becuase when you heard it you knew a life or many lives were about to end.

[Bwkjam]

@LottoWinner999 dude your embarressing other americans (like me) don't claim single handed victory by Americans. And it's easy to judge when you have 70 years of hind sight. Hitlers Germany (as many Germans are ashamed to associate the country as a whole) was acting agressively like a Rottweiler on a rusty chain. The French and Brits were in no position to make threats.

[anebturia]

The narrator says "They didn't panic, or run away."

HELL NO!!!

As an American I declare: This was truly Britain's finest hour.

[LottoWinner999]

@REDbEAr1223 Both France & German could have easily defeated Germany. Hitler at that time had ordered German troops to retreat at that the first sign of French or British troops! Germany was not prepared for war in any form or manner! In other words the Germans bluffed Britain & France!

[LottoWinner999]

@REDbEAr1223 Its in the history books in addition the Germans troops had orders from Hilter to retreat at the first sign of troops. In 1936 Germany total army was 100,000 and France Britain could have easily mounted a force plus have your ambassdors threaten Germany. Hitler played the cards and you lost and that cost millions in dead people and the bloodiest war in history!

[REDbEAr1223]

@LottoWinner999 what wed have lost in 1936 the U.Ks and Frances military was totally unprepared for war in 1936

[noxure]

@82abhilash This is a propaganda film, so off course they're not telling you anything about the aircraft radar. That was still a secret! :p

Germany also had radar technology, but underestimated it's usefulness. In fact, Germany was experimenting on using electromagnetic waves as a weapon, rather than a defense system.

[LottoWinner999]

@JD1010101110 I don't think so because Poland, Holland, Belgium, Norway, Denmark and France proved that Britain had not bought the time to adjust to modern Blitzkieg Tactics until N. Africa. Tallyho!

[LottoWinner999]

The issue that is over-looked is the Brits do not want others to know that is was theirs and Frances responsibility to stop Hitler in 1936 when reoccupied the Sarr Basin. It would have been easy for Britain or France to nip Hitler in the bud in 1936. I call it laziness or lets get America to do it, as usual France & Britain appeased Hitler until Germany was reamred to the teeth. As usual the USA would be required to save Britain after France had fallen, sounds like the same old broken record.