Another suggestion is that blitzkrieg (as a military tactic) was fundermentally flawed, and as such the German armour had out stripped it’s own supply line and the supporting infantry.

It has been suggested that it was within the grasp of the BEF to over run the tanks who stopped not out of mercy, but, out of fuel and shells, and distictly without any infantry in attendance; the BEF were however unaware of this possible deliverance.

I believe this was a fact later corroborated by a senior German general (whose name I am familiar with, but alas the spelling of which I am not)

Von Ribbentrop

It is very hard for us, at this distance to truly know the feelings of (the bulk of) the German people in the 1930s

Even the autobiographical evidence we have must be prone to ‘slanting’ as the author tries to put themselves in the best light.

Moggy

This much is true, and to a large extent is what this discussion as all about.

No one here was in Germany in the 30’s and 40’s and so first hand experience is unavailable, using Planemike’s suggestion that you don’t need to have been there to form an opinion, mine, is that a country that was defeated in the ’14 -’18 war, and as a result of which had a low collective self esteem, an economy in melt down (inflation was running so high that workers were paid at mid day so that their wages might buy something), and an ageing head of state, unable to deal with these problems, is a place where anything might happen.

It is generally accepted that much of Germany was anti semitic as far back as the previous century,(the Kaiser was known to be anti semitic); its only obvious that not all Germans were anti semites, but what isn’t as obvious is just how many were.

When you put all of that into the mix, it becomes easier to see how an emerging party that promises (and to a large extent delivers) the German nation employment, stabilisation of the economy, and a return to the feeling of pride at being German (uber alles),can become as popular as it was;there is much that ordinary decent folk will turn a blind eye to when things are going right, (a different matter when it is falling down around your ears).

How many of us (should we find ourselves in) dire financial trouble, would turn down the chance to save our families from starvation or extreme poverty, by refusing a business that had been seized from someone else, and offered to you ? desperate times call for desperate measures.

Planemike.

I rather suspect that Frazer Nash was talking about experience rather than opinion and the difference between the two. I might voice the opinion that the German bombing of London, Coventry et al were of little consequence compared to the devastating raids carried out on Germany by Bomber Command. However, the experience of the people of those cities belies that. The difference being that they suffered and endured while revisionists and apologists simply opine from the safety and freedom of their keyboards.

I knew a Bomber Command Veteran who did a tour as a Flight Engineer with 514 Squadron. He was tormented by guilt simply as a result of an encounter with an ill informed revisionist.

It is impossible to judge Harris and the other commanders by the ethics prevalent today. Someone started a war and a chain of events that cost millions of lives. Revisionists and apologists gloss over the total war scenario implemented by Germany and Japan. Those same people then revile those whose actions ensured their freedom.

Harris, like any Veteran, was a man of his time who did his best as he saw fit to end the war quickly. We should be grateful that men with that kind of mindset existed at that time.

Edited to add: Jesus! I think Merkle and I just agreed on something.

I wouldn’t go so far as to say that the bombing of London and Coventry , was of “little consequence”, I’d say the consequences of such actions, hardened the British public, enough to encourage (initially) and condone (latterly) the wholesale bombing of Germany, initially as retribution,
but ultimately as an attempt to end the war, ASAP.

My Mother, (who was there) has said to me in the past, that after a particularily devestating air raid, people in the street were almost rioting, calling for retaliation; it was the will of the people (especially those being bombed).

I have a fuel guage from one, at least its the same instrument as in the link trainer at the Southampton hall of aviation/Solent sky (delete where applicable)

As I recall, one of the main characters was himself an RAF pilot; central to the plot (especially in the early episodes) were stories featuring that character, set against the backdrop of the Battle of Britain itself.

What, and John Fawke’s is still a guest? surely he’s got his password by now..

Hi Tony,

I don’t agree, although I think that the Goodwin score is one of his best, it turns the film into a bit of a ‘Boys’ Own Adventure’. The Walton score adds a gravitas more in keeping with the subject matter of the film (discuss).

And no it’s not an age thing I was nine when the film was released, and it continues to be one of my favourites.

All the best,

Steve.

I’ve always thought of the Battle of Britain as a “boys own” adventure; it is often hard to see offensive operations as gallant, but an act of bravery in defence of the home land, and family, fought in the summer skies over southern England, coupled with the chance to be the fastest moving thing on earth (or above).

This in stark contrast to most other operations lasting many months, (if not years) in hostile weather and terrain, and often without enough food to sustain, let alone beer, and women.