When trying to guess what might have happened if a part of history changes, it gets very difficult the further you get away from the original change.... and the BoB is one of those subjects and is especially difficult.
There is so much contraversy with even with the BoB. After all, despite the legend, in reality the Luftwaffe where fighting 11 group in the main, not the whole of the RAF.
Had they destroyed 11 Group would the germans have invaded britain? How determined was Hitler that Britain should be invaded?
Would the Royal navy have managed to destroy the german naval forces as they tried to launch the invasion? The Royal Navy would undoubtably have attacked the invasion fleet no matter what the odds......
Even with air superiority there is no gaurantee that the Luftwaffe would have been able to prevent the Royal Navy destroying or severly hampering the invasion fleet.
In terms of number, especially compared to later battles, the BoB was only a small to medium air battle. During the pacific war there where often much larger air battles with much higher casualties... with the USN fighting off carriers alone!
In terms of its signifcance... who truly knows. I think it was a turning point (one of many admittedly!) but the first victory for the forces fighting totalitarianism and the first battle that ensured at least a good part of Europe has enjoyed freedom and democracy ever since.
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04-07-2011, 09:59 AM
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