By Who shot down the most planes in the Battle of Britain?
In just 42 days 303 Squadron shot down 126 German planes, becoming the most successful Fighter Command unit in the Battle of Britain. Nine of the Squadron’s pilots qualified as ‘aces’ for shooting down 5 or more enemy planes, including Sergeant Josef Frantisek, a Czech flying with the Poles who scored 17 downed planes.
How many people died in the Battle of Britain?
| Battle of Britain | |
|---|---|
| Strength | |
| 1,963 aircraft | 2,550 aircraft |
| Casualties and losses | |
| 1,542 killed 422 wounded 1,744 aircraft destroyed | 2,585 killed 735 wounded 925 captured 1,977 aircraft destroyed |
How did England win the Battle of Britain?
In the event, the battle was won by the Royal Air Force (RAF) Fighter Command, whose victory not only blocked the possibility of invasion but also created the conditions for Great Britain’s survival, for the extension of the war, and for the eventual defeat of Nazi Germany. …
What caused the Battle of Britain?
The Battle of Britain was an important battle in World War II. Germany wanted to invade Great Britain, but first they needed to destroy Great Britain’s Royal Air Force. The Battle of Britain was when Germany bombed Great Britain in order to try and destroy their air force and prepare for invasion.
Did Polish pilots fly Spitfires?
Many Polish pilots flew in other RAF squadrons, usually given nicknames because, as Ingersoll wrote, “the Polish names, of course, are unpronounceable”. The fighter squadrons initially flew Hurricanes, then Supermarine Spitfires, and eventually some were equipped with North American Mustangs.
Which pilot shot down the most planes in ww2?
Erich Hartmann
While serving in Germany’s Luftwaffe in World War II, Erich Hartmann flew more than 1,400 missions in the Messerschmitt Bf 109, enabling him to score an astonishing 352 kills.
Is Luftwaffe better than RAF?
The RAF proved to be a better combat force than the Luftwaffe in almost every respect. The decisive factors were British capability and determination, but German mistakes, before and during the battle, contributed significantly to the outcome. German pilots honed their skills in the Spanish Civil War.
What were Hitler’s plans for Britain?
Nazi documents suggest Adolf Hitler planned to make his personal headquarters in Shropshire if he had successfully invaded Britain during World War II. Historians think he considered Shropshire as the ideal base because it was located in the centre of the country with excellent rail and communication links.
Why did the Luftwaffe fail?
By the end of 1941 the Luftwaffe had been reduced to just 30–40% of their original strength. The winter weather and the snow caused damage to aircraft, as engines seized and the oil and fuel froze inside the tanks. The Luftwaffe was losing as many aircraft damaged than in combat.
Which squadron shot down the most planes in ww2?
No. 303 Squadron claimed the largest number of aircraft shot down of the 66 Allied fighter squadrons engaged in the Battle of Britain, even though it joined the fray two months after the battle had begun.
How many Polish pilots died in ww2?
Twenty-nine Polish pilots, including Ludwik Paszkiewicz and Josef Frantisek, lost their lives in combat against the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain.