Bungay

1. TITLE (AND BIBLIOGRAPHICAL INFO): The Most Dangerous Enemy: A History of the Battle of Britain

2. AUTHOR:

Stephen Bungay  3. AUTHOR’S BACKGROUND : 

http://www.ashridge.org.uk/Website/Content.nsf/WebContent?ReadForm&Zone=FARBIO&SpecialTemplate=LongBioNote&Name=Stephen Bungay 4. BRIEF OUTLINE ILLUSTRATING SCOPE AND RANGE :

Covers Build up to Battle of Britain (WWII), the battle and aftermath <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'">5. AUTHOR’S ARGUMENT/THESIS/CONCLUSIONS:

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'"> Jul- Nov 1940, Britain won due to better leadership, strategy, and economic factors, not the perpetuated myth of heroics <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'"> MAIN IDEAS:

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> Brits 

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Churchill

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1"> ·   Despite his background, Bungay considers him militarily incompetent

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1"> ·   Rhetoric spun Britain into fighting to the last man 12

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1"> ·   Felt there is a fine line between policy disagreements with him and treason 13

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1"> ·   Considered this Battle the end of democracy if it failed

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1"> ·   Felt a shift in balance of power was a struggle for the fate of the world 26

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1"> ·   Engaged in deliberate myth-making

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l3 level2 lfo1"> o   “The Few” was not a few spitfires against hordes of bombers; it was that the only ones to save Britain were the pilots and their job is so technical no one understands it but them 21

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l3 level2 lfo1"> o   Stated EVERYONE was in favor of the war (lie) 21

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l3 level2 lfo1"> o   The PAST is threatened 24

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Dowding

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2"> ·   Held to an odd cult faith

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l5 level2 lfo2"> o   Dowding was a member of the Fairy Investigation Society[16] and of the Ghost Club. Although he knew that people considered him a crank for his belief in fairies, Dowding believed that fairies "are essential to the growth of plants and the welfare of the vegetable kingdom".[17]

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2"> ·   Sends a consistent message to Churchill not to send fighters to France

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2"> ·   Inskip bought him more fighters, but for defense, not bomber escort 59

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2"> ·   Opposed to Douhet, believed in the deterrence of the fighter

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2"> ·   In charge of Chain Home and Chain Home Low defensive IADS

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l5 level2 lfo2"> o   Simple structure with clear roles 65

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l5 level2 lfo2"> o   Enables fighter management 67

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l5 level2 lfo2"> o   Considered only pilots engaging the enemy were useful

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l5 level2 lfo2"> o   Weaknesses: unarmored sites and lack of sea-rescue

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l5 level2 lfo2"> o   Because of his efforts, the Luftwaffe rarely achieved surprise 235

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Park

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo3"> ·   Not making mistakes is not easy, but easier than coming up with a brilliant masterstroke 117

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l6 level2 lfo3"> o   Core of Brit strategy

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-list: l6 level3 lfo3"> §   Continuous combat until the numbers games plays out 118

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-list: l6 level3 lfo3"> §   Took several years, attrition based

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-list: l6 level3 lfo3"> §   Carefully chose intercepts and avoid dangerous fighter sweeps 236

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-list: l6 level3 lfo3"> §   Use the range and persistence as advantage

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-list: l6 level3 lfo3"> §   Opposite of Mallory who wanted big wing-big battle

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 2in; mso-list: l6 level4 lfo3"> ·   Get out there and destroy them

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 2in; mso-list: l6 level4 lfo3"> ·   Puts his faith in the aircraft instead of defense

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Bombers

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4"> ·   Unable to accomplish their role 90

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo4"> o   Able to strike targets across the channel, but at high cost

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">German populace

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4"> ·   Widespread belief that civilians would panic 56

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4"> ·   Not the Brits though, only the enemy 56

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4"> ·   Italians dropped gas bombs on Abyssinia so Brits should consider it 57

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4"> ·   Believed AAA was more dangerous to you b/c of shells falling on your head 56

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> Germans 

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Goring 120

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5"> ·   Nazi = did not like competent people around him 38

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5"> ·   Air service had to be loyal to him for promotion etc. 8

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5"> ·   Avoided reality 38

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5"> ·   Just expected Air to be decisive without comprehensive planning 114

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5"> ·   Luftwaffe not run by a team, but individuals for their own glory

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo5"> o   Operation Eagle

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-list: l2 level3 lfo5"> §   Fly over England, drop bombs to annoy people, take out fighters on the way 125

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-list: l2 level3 lfo5"> §   Failed to agree on targets and tactics

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5"> ·   Failure as a leader

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo5"> o   Felt attacking radio stations was futile

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo5"> o   Felt attacking an airfield one day is all you need 219

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo5"> o   Withdrew Stukas (one of 2 precision bombing instruments as Luftwaffe disposal)

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-list: l2 level3 lfo5"> §   Changed bombing strategy]

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 2in; mso-list: l2 level4 lfo5"> ·   Germans miss and hit a church, Brits cry for vengeance and bomb Berlin, Hitler authorizes bombing of London

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo5"> o   Wanted to let each fighter unit fight how he saw fit 233

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo5"> o   Promoted Aces with very little rank 234

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-list: l2 level3 lfo5"> §   Scared to lose more old heads as many were dying due to his poor strategy 234

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Kesselring

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo6"> ·   Based strategy on better pilots and better tactics 125

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l7 level2 lfo6"> o   But had to get a 5:1 kill ratio to win

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-list: l7 level3 lfo6"> §   Needed large daily air battles 126

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-list: l7 level3 lfo6"> §   Instead Brits achieved 5:1 rations in their favor

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l7 level2 lfo6"> o   Some believed Brits would be neutralized in 2 to 4 weeks 152

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l7 level2 lfo6">Hitler

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo6"> ·   Admired British soldiers, statesman, institutions and Empire 27

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l7 level2 lfo6"> o   Wanted British ally or at least neutrality 30

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l7 level2 lfo6"> o   Believed in the next war Britain and Germany would fight against Communism 30

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l7 level2 lfo6"> o   Know that the Brits make friends and influence people to get their way 32

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l7 level2 lfo6"> o   Could have done a long siege, but opted for the quick decision 32

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l7 level2 lfo6"> o   Wanted Air Superiority with threat of invasion 32

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo6"> ·   Op Sealion 112

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l7 level2 lfo6"> o   German Navy thought high command were out of their minds. Navy could not execute

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-list: l7 level3 lfo6"> §   Recent bombings saw nations capitulate, why not England? 32

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 2in; mso-list: l7 level4 lfo6"> ·   Like a Khong (601), bad analogy

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo6"> ·   Didn't want to bomb London populace, but kept it as a Wildcard 217

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo6"> ·   Interesting: Ghandi liked Hitler and thought he was a genius

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo6"> ·   Wanted France and Russia with the Brits staying out of it 28

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo6"> ·   Real goal: kill all Jews and gain Russian living space 29

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo6"> ·   IRONIC: Hitler even believed Stalin’s anti-Semite regime was a Jewish plot 29

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo6"> ·   1935 announced the Luftwaffe as split from the Wermacht 37

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo6"> ·   Sold lots of Mein Kampf copies, most people never read 29

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">What the Germans failed to consider

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo7"> ·   Overestimation of light flak in England

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l4 level2 lfo7"> o   Drove the Luftwaffe bombers higher than required 188

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo7"> ·   Repair and maintenance

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l4 level2 lfo7"> o   Factories easily replacing losses 201

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo7"> ·   Radar

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l4 level2 lfo7"> o   Failed to exploit inability to detect low flying A/C 189

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l4 level2 lfo7"> o   Should have attacked the 10 detection stations on the Isle of Wight 236

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo7"> ·   Fighter commands pilot losses relative to replacement rates 192

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo7"> ·   Guernica lessons Germans should have learned

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l4 level2 lfo7"> o   Can't bomb bridges accurately 39

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l4 level2 lfo7"> o   Actual civil death toll ~300...reported ~2500

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-list: l4 level3 lfo7"> §   Useful for Hitler propaganda

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l4 level2 lfo7"> o   The fact that Germans lacked:

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-list: l4 level3 lfo7"> §   In aircraft production to match attrition rates

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-list: l4 level3 lfo7"> §   Leadership lacked skills to have industry do better

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-list: l4 level3 lfo7"> §   Industry did as they pleased (failure to communicate) 40

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-list: l4 level3 lfo7"> §   Industry short on raw materials and no prioritization plan

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-list: l4 level3 lfo7"> §   Large # of scientist left Germany for political reasons 41

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-list: l4 level3 lfo7"> §   Failed to exploit rockets and jet propulsion 44

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-list: l4 level3 lfo7"> §   Hitler cared about #s not size of bombers 45

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 2in; mso-list: l4 level4 lfo7"> ·   FOOLED BY HIS OWN PROPAGANDA 54

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l4 level2 lfo7"> o   Crew training

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-list: l4 level3 lfo7"> §   Hitler didn't care, too impatient 40

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-list: l4 level3 lfo7"> §   Bomber pilots needed 2 yrs training 41

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l4 level2 lfo7"> o   C2 was lacking 42

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-list: l4 level3 lfo7"> §   Lacked VHF radios

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 2in; mso-list: l4 level4 lfo7"> ·   Tried to steal them from downed Brits 41

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 2in; mso-list: l4 level4 lfo7"> ·   Night flying based on radio comm advocate scoffed

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l4 level2 lfo7"> o   Caused alienation of the populace, but not a suitable means of breaking an opponent’s resistance - Some in-class notes --

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo8"> o   Churchill balancing fighting with capitulation

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo8"> o   Why did he send fighter to France?

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo8"> o   As a political move to make it look like they have skin in the game

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo8"> o   Offense is based on who has the choice

<p style="text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo8"> o   Air power is inherently offensive but can be used defensively <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'">8. SUMMARY:

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">There are considerable limitations of a continental force

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> - Germany went against their nature and threw down with a weak, indecisive plan

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> -- Should have tak en full advantage of technological advaces

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Strategies should be analyzed in comparison with it's enemies strategy