Social Studies 10 Lessons 📖

By: Gen L

In partnership with Hyperion University, 2023

Lesson 4: The War in the Air

Allied Side

  • Canadian pilots among the best, with strong training (BCATP)
  • BCATP was a boost to the Canadian Aircraft industry
    • All planes used were Canadian,
    • Planes needed maintenance, etc.
  • Br. created RCAF units, but only 40% of our pilots flew with Canadian Units.

Battle of Britain (Operation Sea Lion)

  • 10 July, 1940: German Air Force (Luftwaffe), began bombing harbours and shipping facilities in England.
  • August, they began bombing airfields and airplane factories.
  • September, they began to bomb civilian targets.
  • The Blitz: 55 consecutive nights of civilian bombings
  • RAF fighters flew well against German bombers & escorts.

Battle of Britain, cont.

  • Br. had RADAR, giving advance warning of raids.
  • Br. Planes were better (Spitfire & Hurricane)
  • About 80 Canadian pilots were involved in defending against the Blitz.
  • By May, 1941, Hitler gave up on his planned invasion
  • About 23k people died, mostly civilians

The Bomber Command

  • Canadians took part in the night bombing of Germany (as well as North Africa, Italy & Asia)
  • Originally aimed at industy, then civilian populations
  • Cities were pounded with bombs
  • Hamburg was bombed so heavily, the fires created their own winds, creating a firestorm.
  • In 1942, there was a 1/3 chance of surviving a tour of duty (30 missions)
  • 17,701 RCAF died, 9,880 of them were with Bomber Command.

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