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The Battle of Britain (1940)

Study note

After the fall of France, Hitler wanted to invade Britain. To do that, Germany first needed to win control of the skies. The German air force launched a major air campaign against Britain, but the Royal Air Force fought back with its fighter planes and won the crucial battle in the summer of 1940. This victory in the air is known as the Battle of Britain.

The Battle of Britain was an aerial battle, not a battle at sea or on land, in which the RAF resisted the German air force. The two most important fighter planes used by the RAF were the Spitfire and the Hurricane, both designed and built in Britain. So if asked to name the two key planes, choose the Spitfire and the Hurricane, not the Lancaster or the Harrier.

Memory tip: Battle of Britain, summer 1940: the RAF wins in the air with the Spitfire and Hurricane.

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Question 1 of 2

What was the Battle of Britain in 1940?

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Show all questions and answers for The Battle of Britain (1940)(2 questions with explanations)

The Battle of Britain (1940): questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. What was the Battle of Britain in 1940?

    • The Allied landings in Normandy
    • A naval battle against Japan
    • A battle in the English Civil War
    • An aerial battle in which the RAF resisted the German air force

    Correct answer: An aerial battle in which the RAF resisted the German air force

    The Battle of Britain was the aerial battle in which the RAF resisted the Germans in 1940.

  2. 2. Select the TWO main fighter planes used by the RAF in the Battle of Britain.

    • The Harrier
    • The Spitfire
    • The Lancaster
    • The Hurricane

    Correct answer: The Spitfire and The Hurricane

    The Spitfire and the Hurricane were the most important RAF planes in the Battle of Britain.

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