On September 3, 1939, Great Britain declared war on Germany, marking the start of World War II. Germany immediately launched a plan to try to force Great Britain to surrender through strategic bombing and blockades. This included the famed Blitz, which was a campaign of strategic bombing by the German Luftwaffe against the United Kingdom during the Battle of Britain.
Initially, Adolf Hitler sought a negotiated settlement to the war with Germany. He proposed generous peace terms which the British government declined, choosing instead to stand its ground. Hitler then decided to target Great Britain in an effort to weaken its resources and force a surrender. He deployed the German Luftwaffe to begin bombing raids against the mainland, targeting industrial and civilian areas, as well as the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) airfields.
The Blitz began in September 1940 and continued for almost a year with some of the most intense bombing occurring during the “Christmas Blitz” of December 1940. The aerial bombing campaign was focused mainly on cities and industrial areas and caused massive destruction and casualties. The Blitz had the effect of weakening the nation’s morale as well as its infrastructure, with more than 40,000 civilians killed and millions more injured.
To combat the Luftwaffe, the British developed a number of strategies and tactics. These included the deployment of radar to detect incoming aircraft, the camouflage and decoying of key targets, the strengthening of air defences, and the Britain’s own bomber offensive against Germany. The RAF was highly successful in defending the island nation, ultimately leading to the Luftwaffe’s defeat in the Battle of Britain
The use of U-boats was another tactic used by the Germans to disrupt British maritime shipping. U-boats were submarines equipped with torpedoes and mines, and attacked military and civilian ships in an effort to disrupt supply lines. The U-boat campaign was highly successful and left the British rationing food and essentials. This strategy was meant to weaken the nation financially and psychologically, but ultimately was unsuccessful as the British population rallied and remained steadfast.
Ultimately, Germany’s attempts to force Great Britain to surrender failed. The determination of the British people and the effectiveness of the RAF in defending the nation were major factors in preserving Britain’s hold on the nation. Germans, however, managed to succeed in their goal of weakening Great Britain, leading to a stalemate and eventually the initiation of peace negotiations.
Blockade of Great Britain
Germany also tried to impose an economic blockade on Great Britain in an effort to force them to surrender. This tactic was employed through the use of “U-boats” to disrupt British maritime shipping. U-boats were submarines equipped with torpedoes and mines that targeted merchant vessels carrying food and other essential supplies to Britain. The U-boat campaign was highly successful, sinking hundreds of ships and leaving the British population facing food and essential shortages.
In response, the British government implemented several tactics in attempts to counter the German blockade. These included the implementation of naval escorts for merchant vessels, the mining of shipping lanes, and the introduction of a convoy system. These tactics were highly successful in protecting merchant vessels from U-boats, but the tactics also had unintended consequences. By forcing shipping to travel in convoys, they became easier targets for air attacks, leading to further losses. The U-boat campaign ultimately failed to force a surrender from the British.
Operation Sealion
Operation Sealion, or the Invasion of England, was Hitler’s plan to invade and occupy Great Britain. This operation relied on Germany’s navy and air force to be successful, as well as a successful grounding and establishment of bridgeheads on the south coast of England. Britain, however, was well aware of the German plan and therefore made several preparations to defend against such an attack. The Royal Navy was reinforced, British soldiers were deployed to the south of England, and RAF airfields were established in the area.
The Germans advanced ships and submarines to the English Channel to prepare for an invasion, but this was met with heavy air and naval resistance from the British. This ultimately led to the failure of Operation Sealion, as the Germans were unable to establish bridgeheads due to effective British naval and air defences. Great Britain remained a stalwart in the face of the German onslaught and continued to withhold any surrender.
Propaganda
Propaganda was another tactic used in an attempt to force Britain to surrender. Through the use of radio, newspapers and posters, the Germans spread a message of terror, portraying Britain as a weak and divided nation. In the hopes of demoralizing the nation and creating a sense of despair amongst the population, the Germans claimed to have inflicted massive destruction and casualties. They also touted the military successes of the German forces in Europe, in an attempt to convince the British public that Britain was no match for the Wehrmacht.
The German propaganda campaign had the desired effect of undermining the British public’s morale, but it failed to persuade the British government into a surrender. Ultimately, Britain chose to resist the German onslaught and to maintain its positions in Europe and in the world. Ultimately, the British public remained defiant in the face of German aggression and intimidation.
Bombing of London
Germany also employed strategic bombing in an attempt to force Great Britain to surrender. This strategy was focused largely on the capital, London, and involved the blanket bombing of the city with little regard for civilians. This campaign of terror was met with little success, as Londoners proved resilient in the face of the destruction. The famous City of London was subjected to a five-month campaign of strategic bombing, during which almost everything was destroyed, but the British government refused to negotiate. This bombardment ultimately failed to force the British government to surrender.
Air-Sea Rescue
The British relied heavily on their Air-Sea Rescue teams to rescue downed pilots in the North Sea and English Channel. As German sea and air forces were known to attack and sink damaged planes that had crash-landed in the ocean, the rescue teams were crucial in finding pilots before they could be injured or taken prisoner. The Air-Sea Rescue teams provided a vital service that boosted morale in Britain and demonstrated the nation’s determination and resolve in the face of German aggression.
North African Campaign
The North African Campaign was an offensive by British and Commonwealth forces against German-Italian forces in North Africa. This campaign was launched in late 1940 and the British succeeded in forcing the Axis forces from the region. This was a major victory for the Allies and demonstrated Britain’s tenacity in the face of overwhelming odds. The victory boosted morale in Britain and served as a reminder of the nation’s strength and resilience, further strengthening the public’s resolve to resist the German onslaught.
Psychological Warfare
Adolf Hitler also tried to employ psychological warfare to sway British opinion and force the nation to surrender. This was largely done through radio and television broadcasts, which boasted of German successes in Europe and portrayed Britain as a weak and divided nation. There were also rumours of collaborators within the British government. The result of this campaign of psychological warfare was a sense of despair and fear within the population, but they eventually rallied and stood firm against the onslaught.
