Questions about Kanalkampf
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What was the Kanalkampf and when did it take place?
The Kanalkampf was the German term for Luftwaffe air operations against the Royal Air Force over the English Channel in July 1940, marking the opening phase of the Battle of Britain during the Second World War. Systematic German attacks against British coastal targets and convoys began on the 4th of July; on the 1st of August Hitler issued Directive 17 extending operations to the British mainland, and the main air offensive began on the 13th of August.
Why did Germany attack Channel convoys during the Kanalkampf?
Germany attacked Channel convoys to close the Channel as a supply route, draw RAF Fighter Command into battle over the sea where British pilots lacked an air-sea rescue service, and wear down Fighter Command before the planned invasion of Britain under Operation Sea Lion. OKL also chose coastal targets because they were easier to locate than inland objectives.
What happened to HMS Foylebank during the Kanalkampf?
HMS Foylebank, an anti-aircraft ship armed with four twin four-inch high-angle guns, was attacked by Ju 87 Stukas at Portland harbour on the 4th of July 1940. The gunners could not man their weapons in time; 104 bombs were dropped, many hitting the vessel, and 176 sailors were killed or died of wounds. The attack was recorded as the worst loss of life inflicted on British military personnel based in Britain up to that point.
What role did Enigma decrypts play in the Kanalkampf?
Enigma decrypts from late June 1940 allowed the Air Ministry's Air Intelligence branch to predict the start of the German offensive and reduce the British estimate of German bomber strength from 2,500 to 1,250 by the 6th of July. The code-name Adlertag and references to the period of the 9th to the 13th of August were uncovered, though their purpose was not understood until later. As the Kanalkampf continued, Enigma gave more notice of targets and raid sizes, but last-minute Luftwaffe changes could still negate the intelligence.
What was the disaster that befell 141 Squadron Defiants on the 19th of July 1940?
On the 19th of July 1940, twelve Boulton Paul Defiants of 141 Squadron were intercepted over Dover by Bf 109s of III./JG 51 led by Theo Osterkamp. The German pilots attacked from the rear and below to avoid the turret's field of fire, shooting down four Defiants on the first pass and a fifth as it sought cloud cover. Ten crew members were killed and one wounded, making it the worst single defeat of Fighter Command during the battle, with the RAF losing ten aircraft against four from the Luftwaffe.
Did the Kanalkampf succeed for Germany?
Historians disagree. Williamson Murray, writing in 1983, judged the Channel battles inconclusive. Peter Smith, writing in 2007, suggested they could be described as a German victory of sorts. The Luftwaffe forced the Royal Navy to close the Channel to ocean-going vessels for several weeks and drew Fighter Command into costly engagements, but it had not destroyed Fighter Command by the time the main assault began on the 13th of August.