11 - The war in the West, 1939–1940

Summary

The summer of 1940 is hallowed in the memory of the English-speaking peoples. The BEF returned, alive but beaten, leaving its kit behind. On 30 June, when victory over France was sure, Adolf Hitler received a proposal about how to beat Britain, from his chief advisor in the OKW, General Jodl. Although Jodl combined the efforts of the three Wehrmacht services, his emphasis was on shattering Britain's air force and economy. The Luftwaffe was excellent at ground support and air superiority. Its fighter aircraft matched British ones, its pilots initially were better, and their tactics remained so. The Luftwaffe was most effective between 24 August and 5 September 1940, when it attacked forward RAF airbases and their C3I systems. Even then, it caused too little damage to approach victory, and could not sustain its losses. Hitler had greater ambitions than Britain could tolerate: his terms must wreck British independence and integrity, and leave it completely at his mercy.