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Why do historians have a massive debate about the battle of Britain of was it German mistakes and weakness or british strengths and success?
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
I am not sure if there are "massive" debates regarding the Battle of Britain. To me the answer is fairly clear. It was German Mistakes.
Mistake 1. Hitler insisted that all aircraft be designed as bombers as well as fighters. This had the effect of putting a real damper on his engineers, as melding the two types usually resulted in an aircraft that served neither purpose well. I could elaborate on this, but that would be getting off the subject at hand. Lets just say that with the piston engines of the time, the choice of wing design had to be either lift, or speed. Fighter, speed. Bomber, Lift. (Bombs were cast Iron, and there ain't no light cast Iron) The ME-109 was a pretty close match to the Hawker Hurricane and the Super-marine Spitfire, but had the German designers been given a free hand...........................
Mistake 2. Hitlers impatience. The purpose for the Battle of Britain from the German standpoint was to gain air superiority over the British Isles in preparation for invasion across the English Channel. This failed for several reasons, the most important being the decision made by Hitler and Goering. The Luftwaffe started the battle by concentrating their efforts against British Air fields. Had they stayed the course, they would have gained air supremacy, opening up the English Channel for German Invasion. They did not, shifting their efforts to other targets.
Mistake 3. German forces paid little attention to British Radar Facilities. German Radar was in its infancy, but the British Home Chain Network was up and running and performing very well. The RAF had a very well organized radar network, with a logistics system to direct British fighters toward incoming German Aircraft that was second to none. Had the Germans destroyed the Radar installations, it very well may have been "Game Over" It can arguably be stated that Radar was the invention that won the war for the British and for the US in the Pacific Theater. (I highly recommend the book
" The Invention that won the war" )
As an aside to this discussion, it should be noted here that nearly all mistakes during armed conflict occurred, and are still occurring today as a result of politicians sticking their nose where it does not belong. Hitler and Germany were not unique in this respect. Had the British air Marshall given in to Churchill, and sent more pilots to France earlier in the war, the RAF would have run out of pilots to fight the Germans, as the battle of Britain became a war of attrition with regard to availability of pilots. Churchill made at least as many mistakes and absurd suggestions as Hitler. Thank God he was in a Democratic country where the opinions of better informed individuals could prevail. Germany had no such Luxury. If you argued with Corporal Hitler, you were shot, or worse.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
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Importance of learning history?
Understanding WHY things happened, so as not to repeat the same mistakes. Understanding why certain attitudes exist (eg. Britain hating the French).
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When was battle of Britain declared?
The Battle of Britain started on 10 July 1940. British historians usually regard 31 October 1940 as the end, but this is an arbitary date.There are disagreements about the definition of the term 'Battle of Britain'. British historians use the term for a. the German attempts to destroy the RAF and, above all, its bases, and b. the first stage of the 'blitz', that is, heavy daylight bombing of the infrastructure and civilian targets. German historians tend to combine the entire 'blitz' with the initial attempt to knock out the RAF bases. This gives an end date in May 1941, when the German bombers were transferred to eastern Germany for the attack on the Soviet Union.The RAF website gives the conventional British dates of 10 July-31 Ocotber 1940.The starting date of the Battle of Britain is unsure. Some historians start it as early as June 5th, others as late as August 13th.
What were the strengths and weaknesses of each side in the revolution?
A strength of Britain was they had a trained Army. A weakness was they were fighting over something that was completely pointless. The patriots strength was they had people who were dedicated to making themselves free. And a weakness was they didn't have quit as many people or weapons as Britain did. Everyone deserves to be free. (Unless they murdered some one)
When was Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain created?
Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain was created in 1955.
Why do historians say that the Industrial Revolution happened in Britain because of .?
Factories
What were Britain's strengths during World War 2?
Britain's greatest strength was the will and courage of its people to defend their country and their way of life. Other strengths were the leadership of Winston Churchill and his subordinates as well as the efforts of the many countries that supported Britain's defense during the war.
What were Churchill's mistakes?
Trusting Stalin and believing Britain had a 'special relationship' with the USA.
What were the strength and weakness of each side in the revolution?
A strength of Britain was they had a trained Army. A weakness was they were fighting over something that was completely pointless. The patriots strength was they had people who were dedicated to making themselves free. And a weakness was they didn't have quit as many people or weapons as Britain did. Everyone deserves to be free. (Unless they murdered some one)
What were Adolf Hitler's mistakes?
Attacking Great Britain and Russia. He was beating GReat Britain, but Russia demolished Germany. If was patient, he could have ruled the world.
Shakespeare's time in Britain?
Historians have found no evidence that Shakespeare had ever left Britain, it is believed he lived out his entire life from there from 1546 to 1616 AD.
Historians emphasize that what came to be called Britain's agricultural revolution in the 1700s cannot be attributed to?
The invention of new machinery
What were some strengths of the US in the revolutionary war?
The Continental Army was fighting the war with Britain in the colonies. The advantage there is that the colonists were fighting in their own territory. The British army was 3,000 miles away from Britain.
When did Buddhism arrive in Britain?
Buddhism came to Britain in the fifties after WWII. Sri Lanka sent missionary monks to London. We don't know the exact date of when Buddhists came to Britain, but historians can make a guess.
What do many historians cite as the most important accomplishment of the ancient Roman emperor Claudius?
Many historians cite the conquer of Britain as the most important accomplishment of the ancient emperor known as Claudius. The process began in AD 43.
