Battle of Britain (1940)

With France conquered, Britain stood alone in Western Europe. Hitler planned an invasion of Britain (Operation Sea Lion). First the Luftwaffe (German air force) had to defeat the Royal Air Force to allow safe sea crossing. The Battle of Britain raged through the summer and autumn of 1940 in the skies above southern England. The RAF, using new radar technology and Spitfire and Hurricane fighters, won the battle. Hitler postponed and then canceled the invasion. Britain remained in the war.

Winston Churchill became prime minister in May 1940. His rhetoric ("We shall fight on the beaches") and personal force helped sustain British morale through the dark months.