The Battle of Britain Was The First Defeat For The German Luftwaffe.

[Sternjaeger II]

Originally Posted by bongodriver

No it's not just the public perception, and the perception of the opposing side would be more digestable if it wasn't complete and utter 'denial'

man, I can only talk for myself here. First of all you're still looking at sides, I'm personally on neither side, I'm looking at it from bang in the middle. You, on the other hand, and for well understandable nationalistic standpoints, give the impression of still looking it from the British point of view, but there's more to keep into consideration than that.

[Sternjaeger II]

Originally Posted by bongodriver

I think that article is interesting but to claim the Royal navy was the key?

if Germany had achieved total air dominance the Navy would have been just as vulnerable, wasn't that something the War highlited, the days of naval power were fading fast because if air power? RN vs LW and German navy wouldnt have stood a chance surely.

I'll read the article in full and tell you what I think of it.

[bongodriver]

Ignore me....I read the wrong thing anyway, I read the web article and not the pdf it linked to....then my internet died before I could edit my response.....I wish the Germans were in charge here sometimes, everything would bloody work then!!!!

[bongodriver]

Just read it....in conclusion it really is saying the 'battle' was insignificant because the Germans werent really interested...so it just didn't matter, and anyhow the Luftwaffe was crap anyway, and when they got bored of it all they really did just pack up the sausages and leave.....seems it really is all about Nationalistic viewpoints and neither side wil rest until the other changes its mind........Stern is right......it's a draw eh

[DD_crash]

Originally Posted by bongodriver

I think that article is interesting but to claim the Royal navy was the key?

if Germany had achieved total air dominance the Navy would have been just as vulnerable, wasn't that something the War highlited, the days of naval power were fading fast because if air power? RN vs LW and German navy wouldnt have stood a chance surely.

A bit O/T but how much of the invasion fleet would the RN have to sink before the invasion would be called off? I am sure that the RN would sacrifice a lot of ships to achieve that. Their role is to protect Britain and that would be their task.

[Al Schlageter]

dictionary

battle: a hostile encounter or engagement between opposing military forces

[Sternjaeger II]

Originally Posted by DD_crash

A bit O/T but how much of the invasion fleet would the RN have to sink before the invasion would be called off? I am sure that the RN would sacrifice a lot of ships to achieve that. Their role is to protect Britain and that would be their task.

Well, the role is to protect Britain while having the minimum amount of losses, cos once your might is no more, you failed.

Exposing all of your Navy in such a narrow area would have been quite a huge risk, besides, considering that the waters would have been an obstacle anyway, the only viable solution would have been to invade the territory with paratroopers and establish bridgeheads.
Considering that the first heavy transport glider (Me321 Gigant) was done at a record speed and available in early 1941, if they carried on with the battle for air dominance they might have as well ditched the plan of an invasion via sea for an airborne one: with a coordinated operation they could have delivered thousands of soldiers and even light tanks and medium tanks (Panzer IV) in a single day.

But again, this is speculation.

[robtek]

To add a bit O/T thoughts, i believe that the german LW would have been able to gain enough local air superiority to sink any fleet in reach of the 109's during the first part of the BoB.

[Sternjaeger II]

here's a working link to Lund's reference (the one that doesn't work in the original pdf)

http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/ETO/...man/index.html

[blackmme]

Originally Posted by Sternjaeger II

Well, the role is to protect Britain while having the minimum amount of losses, cos once your might is no more, you failed.

Exposing all of your Navy in such a narrow area would have been quite a huge risk, besides, considering that the waters would have been an obstacle anyway, the only viable solution would have been to invade the territory with paratroopers and establish bridgeheads.
Considering that the first heavy transport glider (Me321 Gigant) was done at a record speed and available in early 1941, if they carried on with the battle for air dominance they might have as well ditched the plan of an invasion via sea for an airborne one: with a coordinated operation they could have delivered thousands of soldiers and even light tanks and medium tanks (Panzer IV) in a single day.

But again, this is speculation.

I have often wondered about Milch's June 40 'Plan / Gamble'.
Massive local air superiority, glider / parachute operation to capture say Hawkinge and then throw the kitchen sink at keeping resupply / reinforcement open.

I think given the state of the British Army at that point it might just have worked.

Regards Mike