What was the date of Adlertag?
Adlertag took place on the 13th of August 1940. The operation began after Adolf Hitler issued Directive No. 17 on the first of August 1940 to Hermann Göring and the Oberkommando der Luftwaffe.
Questions about Adlertag
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who commanded the German air force during Adlertag?
Hermann Göring led the Luftwaffe during Adlertag under orders from Adolf Hitler. Hugo Sperrle served as the commander of Luftflotte 3 when attacks commenced on the morning of the 13th of August 1940.
Why did Adlertag fail against the Royal Air Force?
Adlertag failed because Joseph Schmid provided grossly inaccurate intelligence regarding radar systems and operational airfields in southern England. This omission left German planners blind to Chain Home Radio Direction Finding facilities while they targeted Coastal Command bases instead of Fighter Command stations.
How many aircraft were lost by the Luftwaffe on the 13th of August 1940?
Actual German losses amounted to 47 aircraft destroyed and 39 severely damaged on the 13th of August 1940. Official records claimed 78 or 64 aircraft shot down but historians describe the effort as a fiasco due to massive overclaims.
What was the outcome of Operation Sea Lion after Adlertag?
Hitler postponed Operation Sea Lion indefinitely because air superiority was never achieved following the failure of Adlertag. The Battle of Britain ensured that there would be a Western Allied presence to meet the Soviet Red Army in May 1945.