Quote:
Originally Posted by Sternjaeger
The point is that the German strategy went "headless chicken" at some point, and they dispersed their potential. If things carried on for an extra six months I doubt the results of the battle would have been the same. It would be idiotic to say that the RAF didn't play an important part in the battle, but I would say that the outcome of the battle was more due to the German mistakes than to the RAF struggle.
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I don't disagree that the Germans made bad strategic decisons at key points, but the argument was over your statement that the Germans didn't really lose the battle. I was pointing out reasons for concluding that they did. You have now widened the debate to say that
(paraphrasing) - "Yes, but they wouldn't have lost if they had done things differently..."
That may well be true. 'What if ' scenarios have their place, but we were discussing what
actually happened.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sternjaeger
U really do overrate Dowding mate..
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Disagree.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sternjaeger
Operation Sea Lion was actually classified as "on hold",
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They may have 'classified' it as such, but the fact is that they missed their chance, and subsequent strategic decisions ensured that they wouldn't be in a position to succeed in the future.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sternjaeger
If you come to think of it, apart for the Jersey Islands nor Germany or Britain lost or gained any significant territory, and the Germans were confident that once they made it to Moscow they could come back and give a massive blow to Britain..
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This is another red herring (just like the 'numbers game') for suggesting that the outcome was an honourable draw. I really think that a judgement on who won or lost should be made on which side achieved their overall strategic purpose for the battle (see my previous post).
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Also, to address a previous point:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sternjaeger
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The Germans NEVER complained about shortage of planes and/or pilots in 1940,
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See this blog posting by James Holland :
"There was also a problem of aircraft shortages – one fighter pilot had to wait three weeks after joining his staffel before there was a Me 109 for him to fly."
http://www.secondworldwarforum.com/2...fe-interviews/