About The Author
Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Negotiations
The Books
Road to Peace: From the Disarming of the Great Lakes to the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
From War to Peace: The Story of Great Britain and the United States
Nuclear Weapons: Documents, Video and Audio CD-ROMs: A Study Supplement for the book Nuclear Weapons
Author Links
The Battle of Britain
In May of 1940 Germany invaded France. The French army and its British and Belgian allies were overpowered by the German Blitzkrieg. Toward the end of May, Allied troops were backed up to the coast of France in the town of Dunkirk. In a daring rescue attempt, an armada of ships from England picked up the soldiers and brought them across the English Channel to safety. Ships of all kinds were used, ranging from Royal Navy ships to fishing boats. The Royal Air Force provided cover, protecting the troops from German planes. Over 300,000 soldiers were saved from the oncoming German army. France fell into German hands and only the English Channel separated Great Britain from the enemy.
Imagine yourself sitting at home during the start of World War II in Europe. The United States is yet to get involved in the conflict and you are eager to find out more about developing events in Europe. You turn on the radio in your home as so many people did at that time. The radio station you choose is a bit more advanced than those of that time. It features live, uncensored reports with correspondents at the scene of the battle. Czechoslovakia, Poland, Scandinavia, Belgium, the Netherlands and France have all succumbed to the German blitzkrieg. Will Great Britain be the next to fall? Should they, it will spell the doom of Europe and threaten the United States’ security. You tune into your radio station to find out more. The station’s headquarters is in Washington, D.C. and from there you are connected to live reports from Europe.
Follow along with a team of reporters as they cover the battle between the RAF and the Luftwaffe. To order a copy of “The Battle of Britain” please click here.
Below is an excerpt from a Fireside Chat of Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1940. Note the last paragraph of page 3 emphasizing the importance of Great Britain as security for the United States. (National Archives).
Air Raid Shelter in London during German bombing (National Archives)
This picture taken during the first mass air raid on London, 7th September 1940, describes more than words ever could, the scene in London's dock area. Tower Bridge stands out against a background of smoke and fires. (courtesy National Archives)