The History of WWII Podcast - by Ray Harris Jr

Here is the Final Episode of The Battle of Britain series. We sum up the Luftwaffe's chances of ever really getting across the English Channel, Dowding's future, Chamberlain's end and the next step in Hitler's plan for European domination.

The Germans are convinced that Fighter Command is on its last leg. Waiting out the foul English weather, the Luftwaffe, Kesselring and Goering, finally get their chance to wipe the RAF out of the skies. But Keith Park of 11 Group will prove to be their tactical master.

The Germans are convinced that Fighter Command is on its last leg. Waiting out the foul English weather, the Luftwaffe, Kesselring and Goering, finally get their chance to wipe the RAF out of the skies. But Keith Park of 11 Group will prove to be their tactical master.

Unable to break Fighter Command by the needed date for Operation Sea Lion, the Luftwaffe changes their tactics and will go after London. Dowding and Park will do their best to protect the capital, but in a moment on honesty, are relieved that their air fields will be spared. Now the people of London must come to grips that the Luftwaffe's might will be focused on them.

September brings the beginning of the end of The Battle of Britain. London will become the Luftwaffe's target as Germany needs the war to end. Soon Goering will take a personal hand in the war over the Channel.

September brings the beginning of the end of The Battle of Britain. London will become the Luftwaffe's target as Germany needs the war to end. Soon Goering will take a personal hand in the war over the Channel.

As tired as everyone is, Kesselring of Luftflotte Two steps up the intensity of the attacks on RAF airfields, especially those near London. And Hitler will release the Luftwaffe to attack London, as the battle is not going in Nazi Germany's favor. Also Group Commanders Keith Park and Leigh-Mallory have their own feud over how best to defend Great Britain.

London becomes more of a target for the German bombers, until Goering warms them away. But it's too late. Churchill and the War Cabinet decide to bomb Berlin. The war will shift into it's final phase.

This episode covers 4 missed or lightly treated subjects: Operation Pied Piper- the evacuation of Britain's children, the disaster of the Lancastria, the occupation of The Channel Islands by the Nazis and the Italian Conquest of British Somaliland.

C in C of the Luftwaffe Goering calls his young bloods to Karinhall to devise a new strategy to destroy Fighter Command. The result is a reinforced Kesselring pitted against Keith Park of 11 Group. But during a lull in the fighting, Park and his superior, Air Marshal Dowding make their own plans for defense. By August 24th, the clouds have cleared and everyone is in place for the up coming 3rd Phase of The Battle of Britain. Also included is Churchill's speech about "The Few" on August 20, 1940.

This episode covers August 16 to the 18th. Goering plans on finishing Fighter Command on August 18th, by using almost every fighter and bomber from Luftflottes 2 and 3. The idea is simply to overwhelm the shrinking RAF forces. But Radar still plays a major role in helping Dowding and his Fighter Groups. Their real problem is the number of pilots. The first American pilot, Billy Fiske, dies fighting for Britain. And as Fighter Command holds the Luftwaffe at bay, the Italians finally push the British troops, under Major-General Godwin-Austen, out of British Somaliland. Awards and medals are given as men continue to fight and die for their country. The cover for this episode in Flight Officer Billy Fiske III.

I just wanted to give everyone some details on the upcoming WWII Tour this Fall. I list the many places we're going, what we will see and their historical significance. Just to give you an idea: St. Paul's Cathedral, The Blitz Experience, Churchill's desk and office, Bletchley Park, Blenheim Palace, HMS Belfast, Portsmouth, Normandy, Paris, The Maginot Line, General Patton's grave, The Luxembourg Principality, AND Dunkirk. Not bad for 10 days. Hope to see you there.

August 15th was one of the greatest days of battle in The Battle of Britain. Goering makes his plans for improved attacks against the RAF but Dowding and Park stay with their tried method. The fighting continues over the channel while Churchill has his own combat within the walls of the Commons. Meanwhile, the British position in British Somaliland grows worse.

Goering is ready for Phase Two. Fighter Command's air shield will be tested as more and more raids approach the British coasts.  And now that the Radar towers will be targeted, the RAF must fight off the raiders during the day and make repairs at night. Exhaustion will become the order of the day. Meanwhile in East Africa, the Italian troops are closing in on Berbera, the capital of British Somaliland.

The RAF and Luftwaffe size each other up and ready for Adlertag. The war in North Africa has started and the British will have to withdraw, like Dunkirk, for now. But they know Egypt must be kept safe. But Mussolini wants his African Empire. Goering is ready for Phase Two, but the RAF is still in the fight.