RAF Defeats Luftwaffe: Hitler's Invasion Plans Shattered
September 15, 1940, was the climactic day of the Battle of Britain. The Luftwaffe launched two massive raids on London with over 1,000 aircraft, expecting to overwhelm the RAF's dwindling fighter strength. Instead, every available Spitfire and Hurricane squadron was scrambled to intercept, shooting down 56 German aircraft against 26 British losses. When Air Vice Marshal Keith Park committed his last reserves, a German intelligence officer famously asked Goring whether there were any RAF fighters left. There were. Two days later, Hitler postponed Operation Sea Lion, the planned invasion of Britain, indefinitely. September 15 is commemorated annually as Battle of Britain Day in the United Kingdom.
September 15, 1940
86 years ago
Key Figures & Places
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