Adlertag launched the Luftwaffe's campaign to destroy RAF Fighter Command, a prerequisite for the planned German invasion of Britain in 1940.
Key Facts
- Date of operation
- 13 August 1940
- German directive authorizing assault
- Führer Directive No. 17, issued 1 August 1940
- Primary target
- RAF Fighter Command
- Operation codename
- Unternehmen Adlerangriff (Operation Eagle Attack)
- Outcome
- Failed to destroy RAF or gain air superiority
- Consequence for Sea Lion
- Operation Sea Lion postponed indefinitely
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Following Britain's rejection of peace overtures, Hitler issued Directive No. 16 on 16 July 1940 ordering preparations for the invasion of Britain (Operation Sea Lion). Air superiority over the RAF was deemed essential before any landing could proceed, prompting Directive No. 17 on 1 August ordering the Luftwaffe to destroy RAF Fighter Command.
On 13 August 1940, the Luftwaffe launched Adlertag, the opening day of Operation Eagle Attack. Despite inflicting ground casualties and material damage, the operation was hampered by poor intelligence and communication failures, and the German air attacks did not significantly degrade Fighter Command's capacity to defend British airspace.
Göring's promise that Adlerangriff would neutralize the RAF within days or weeks went unfulfilled. The Luftwaffe failed to destroy RAF Fighter Command or achieve the local air superiority required for an amphibious invasion, forcing the indefinite postponement of Operation Sea Lion and marking a strategic setback for Nazi Germany.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Hermann Göring.
Side B
1 belligerent