All Battles

Eagle Day

1940 • Südengland Luftangriff
IWM caption : THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN 1940. Pattern of condensation trails left by British and German aircraft after a dogfight.

IWM caption : THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN 1940. Pattern of condensation trails left by British and German aircraft after a dogfight.

Author: Puttnam (Mr), War Office official photographerLicense:PD
Source

Historical Overview

Adlertag was the first day of Unternehmen Adlerangriff, an operation by Nazi Germany's Luftwaffe intended to destroy the British Royal Air Force (RAF). The operation came during the Battle of Britain after Britain rejected all overtures for a negotiated peace with Germany. However, Adlertag and subsequent operations failed to destroy the RAF or gain local air superiority.

Quick Facts

Outcome:British victory.

RAF

  • Commander: Hugh Dowding
  • Strength: ca. 700 Jäger
  • Casualties: 13 Flugzeuge

German Army

  • Commander: Hermann Göring
  • Strength: ca. 1.400 Flugzeuge
  • Casualties: 47 Flugzeuge

Strategic Context

Attempt to destroy the RAF on the ground.

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