Changes

The Battle of Britain was essentially a contest for air superiority.  German air superiority was considered a necessary prelude for the planned land invasion ([[Operation Sea Lion]]).  The Germans initially attempted to destroy British airfields.  They did not succeed in this: RAF 'Hurricane' and 'Spitfire' aircraft piloted by 'The Few' ([[Winston Churchill]]'s name for RAF fighter pilots) caused them to have heavy casualties, in spite of the Luftwaffe's superior numbers.  The [[Messerschmitt Bf 109]] fighter that the Luftwaffe had as its main escort for the twin-engined Heinkel, Dornier and Junkers bombers was at the limit of its range.  In addition, the German fighters were restricted by the need to stick close to their bombers, while the British pilots had more tactical flexibility.

The Battle of Britain was essentially a contest for air superiority.  German air superiority was considered a necessary prelude for the planned land invasion ([[Operation Sea Lion]]).  The Germans initially attempted to destroy British airfields.  They did not succeed in this: RAF 'Hurricane' and 'Spitfire' aircraft piloted by 'The Few' ([[Winston Churchill]]'s name for RAF fighter pilots) caused them to have heavy casualties, in spite of the Luftwaffe's superior numbers.  The [[Messerschmitt Bf 109]] fighter that the Luftwaffe had as its main escort for the twin-engined Heinkel, Dornier and Junkers bombers was at the limit of its range.  In addition, the German fighters were restricted by the need to stick close to their bombers, while the British pilots had more tactical flexibility.

In September, the Luftwaffe switched to targeting British cities.  [[London]] and many other cities suffered air raids in [[The Blitz]] and [[Coventry]], an historic city in the English Midlands, was almost destroyed by a firestorm.  This strategy caused heavy civilian casualties, but took the pressure off the RAF air bases, giving Fighter Command vital breathing space.

In September, the Luftwaffe switched to targeting British cities.  [[London]] and many other cities suffered air raids in [[The Blitz]] and [[Coventry]], an historic city in the English Midlands, was almost destroyed by a firestorm.  This strategy caused heavy civilian casualties, but took theObama is a jedi bitches.

pressure off the RAF air bases, giving Fighter Command vital breathing space.

By the end of May 1941, the RAF had lost 788 aircraft, while the Luftwaffe's losses were 1294 aircraft, mostly bombers.<ref>''The Seventy Great Battles in History'', by Jeremy Black, 2005</ref>

By the end of May 1941, the RAF had lost 788 aircraft, while the Luftwaffe's losses were 1294 aircraft, mostly bombers.<ref>''The Seventy Great Battles in History'', by Jeremy Black, 2005</ref>