Patreon ONLY Battle of Britain Supplementary video
This video is Patreon only and should explain why the kill ratios were strongly in favor of the Germans early in the battle but shifted towards the RAF as time went on.
I'll cover:
The big change in German tactics,
The changes in pilot experience levels.
The improvements in RAF command and control
The impossibility of the Luftwaffe bombing the British into submission. I'll compare the numbers to historical and modern civilian targeting to show how hopeless that was.
There was no real way for the Luftwaffe to win long term via a cross channel invasion.
The change in numerical fighter superiority.
Please watch this one after the public Spitfire vs. 109 Battle of Britain video.
Thanks for your support,
Greg
Comments (11)
Hey Greg! I was just reading about Beatrice Shilling and her modifications to the Merlin carburetor before the throttle body was ready Do you have any insights into her?
interesting question, why was the engine cutting out?
Hi Greg, in one of your old videos you mentioned a 'bible' of sorts for engine design, i cant remember who it was by but im trying to find it. Could you help me out?
The concept that flying all over the place in an attempt to lower total enemy fighter populations is better bomber-protection than actually following them around in escorts is interesting! Definitely counter-intuitive, but makes sense when you think about it.
I believe I remember reading - unfortunately I'm not sure where - that another problem with the Luftwaffe's close support orders were that they were too damn close; that Goering ordered the fighters to fly in claustrophobic proximity to the bombers to support them. Whereas they would have done better to fly above the bomber formations and thus when the RAF appeared ascending towards the bomber fleet have the energy advantage as they swooped down to counter-attack.
Very glad to see another video from Greg! Excellent coverage of points not normally emphasized when addressing this event in history. Your point that the effectiveness of 'bombing them into submission' was grossly over estimated on both sides is spot on. Not sure why the Rumble commentor was so irritated by your comparison of the number of casualties in BoB, Allied bombing of German cities and number of casualties in Gaza, none of which have altered the course of the political entity which sustained the casualties. I detected no 'political' intent, just a numerical comparison and the results, exactly what is done in an objective assessment, and what your channel excels at.
I saw the comment before finishing the video and was excited to see what hot take Greg would have about the conflict, only to be left completely confused at what that commenter could have possibly taken offense at! I don't think Greg even called Palestinians "civilians!" Was the commenter offended that Greg considers them "people?" Something tells me that Greg's unlisted videos are the only thing I'm ever going to watch over on Rumble!
Glad to see more videos on the Spitfire. I appreciate the time and detail that you put into your videos. I frequently re listen to P-47 series. Hopefully more Spitfire content is coming
I am thinking of writing one on the bomber mafia drop tank fiasco.
Kelsey's "The Dragon's Teeth?" is such a great book and I am grateful for your citing his work (which is how I discovered it). There are many lessons for today. I think your style in long form written work aka 'a book' would be a great add to the material on this topic.
Great video. You should right a book. Maybe a Myth vs. Fact on misinterpreted history that plagues common culture on WW2 aircraft and tactics.