I suspect that you wanted to start a fire rather than put one out.
To answer the question that you posed to us " how can this be so?" I think you have to be a psychiatrist, not an historian.
You might find this link interesting. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denial

Germany lost alot of experienced aircrew who were needed in the future. Thus the Battle of Britain was a costly loss for the Luftwaffe.

(quote) the question is why does it mean so much to Brits, and so little to Germans.

Well it should mean alot to the Brits, after all their valient efforts saved their nation from invasion. As for the German people, the ones that this mattered to the most, are long since dead, namely Hitler and his high command. I'm sure that the modern day German peoples would perfer to forget about that time in their history. It is much like the battle of Little Bighorn, much pride for today's American Indians. And a time of shame for todays modern white American's.

Disagree that Germany didn't lose.

If you look at the definition of 'battle' and then apply it to the struggle in 1940 you'll see Germany really did loose the Battle of Britian.

And thats what caused previous wars you mentioned ;). Western Europe has always been a rich place because it exploited the rest of the world and much of that exploited land has caused those wars because of the riches they contained.

Its probably because military defeats are never celebrated. Its mightly Luftwaffe was defeated? Thats not good news so makes for bad propaganda, which was the Nazi's forte. The RAF won, and for Britain it not only needed the victory to prevent any invasion, it needed it for a moral boost for the British population, so its celebrated, allot.

The (quote) is not mine :-P

Apologies.

I guess it's like when you get pushed by a bully.

If you stumble and go down you've lost. If you manage to keep your dignity and can hold your head up high, it doesn't matter what happens next, you've won.

Britain kept her head up high, she managed to go onto a back foot and get enough time to take a breath and plan what her next move would be.

Nobody questions whether the Battle of Britain was a close thing, it was!, If it wasn't for the incompetance of the Germans in command, it could have gone horribly differently, yet the fact remains that due to the bravery of the 'Few', (most of them only kids in their 20's) that had to get into the Hurricanes and Spitfires, serveral times a day in many cases, the world would be an entirely different (and much worse) place today.

Good BOB info.
 

Here is a great reference link about the Battle of Britain enjoy: http://www.raf.mod.uk/Bob1940/bobhome.html

I do understand the sentiment contained in the original thread post. My family was in Germany at the time and pointedly mentioned the propaganda practised as fervently by all nations (it is quite simply, the primary universal means of modern government as opposed to perhaps the fear and domination rule of the mediaeval and ancient world).

The civilian experience of BoB in Germany, taken from this rather subjective source was that it was not a defeat for the military, who undoubtedly inflicted as severe losses to the enemy as were sustained. In this sense it was more a personal blow to the arrogance of the Nazis than anything else.

In strategic terms however this was a campaign and it was lost. England won. This is simply because the intention was to invade England and this was prevented during a series of aerial battles prelimenary to the invasion. So Germany did lose, but it is nothing like a sporting event and should not be thought of with any kind of national pride from either side. It was a terrible event and its consequences either way were terrible.

In reality nobody "won" the Battle of Britain. An invasion was prevented, and lots of honest patriots and career soldiers lost their lives defending their respective populations. You shouldn't even go around pointing the finger of culpability, since the political situation stretches to the Great War and beyond.

The Nazis had rotten, barbaric policies which resulted in horrific domestic acts. But it's pretty callous to use that in support of either British or any other mindless patriotism. Let us simply honour the men of the RAF and Luftwaffe for doing their duty.

My favourite tales of the conflict are where a stricken pilot would occasionally be escorted to home territory by an enemy aircraft, such was the maturity of those whom were involved. So let's practise a bit of that, hey? ;)

Dear All,
Another point that has not been considered is the effect of morale. The fact that the British Isles 'held out' against the German might, considering that Poland Denmark Holland Norway Belgium and France had all succumbed must have given some comfort and hope to the resistance fighters. (There was a similar situation that arose with the Island of Malta) It also bought the world time to prepare and consider what to do next. Once the US got involved, Britain was a base to attack and supply from. Equally for the Germans the possibility that the war would continue on probably for years near the borders as with WWI, must have been little comfort to the German high command.
Best regards,
SLP