There can be no immediate invasion of England, because while Germany has complete mastery of the air over Scandinavia, she does not have it over England by a long shot. Defensively Britain is greatly superior. Her Spitfire, which I flew last summer, is a superior 'plane to any which the Germans have in great number. Therefore, no invasion of England is possible until that superiority of the air over England is achieved.
Month: June 1940
245 Sqn in action over Dunkirk
12:01Sqn Ldr Whitley led 245 Sqn on a patrol over Dunkirk. They were in the air for an hour and half and during a dog fight with Meserchmitts had claimed four but POs West and Treanor were missing.
245 Sqn and PAU leave Hawkinge
Sunday 2nd June 1940 12:44245 Sqn fly an early morning patrol over Dunkirk and report no air activity and the evacuation apparently complete. Later they are withdrawn back to Scotland.
The Pilotless Aircraft Unit leaves Hawkinge.
Dowding attends a Cabinet Meeting
Monday 3rd June 1940 12:00He points out the risk of sending fighters abroad now that the French Army is in a parlous condition. He produces a graph showing that, on each of ten days during May, 25 fighters were lost, while only four replacements were received.
Invasion Warning Sub-Committee report on German activity in Galicia
12:00It is known that young German male tourists have been staying in Galicia. Some of them have uniforms with them and this is known to the police, who do not interfere. It is considered unlikely that an expedition will be organised in this manner but the situation will be watched.
Invasion of England is not mentioned at Raeder's interview with Hitler
Tuesday 4th June 1940 12:00This is the first meeting since the invasion was initially proposed. It has not been disclosed outside Raeder's own headquarters.
Hitler states it is his intention "to dcrease the size of the Army when France has been overthrown and release all older men and skilled workmen" and primises the Navy and Luftwaffe will have "top priority".
Göring asks Milch for steps to end the war rapidly
Wednesday 5th June 1940 12:00He recommends that Britain should be immediately invaded, adding that if left in peace for four weeks "it will be too late".
Invasion Warning Sub-Comittee report on long range guns in the Pas de Calais
Thursday 6th June 1940 12:00Plans for the mounting of long-range guns in the Calais-Boulogne area which may be used to cover a landing in the Dover area are unlikely.
II./JG 52 arrive at Peuplingues
12:00US embassy in the UK advises its citizens this may be their last chance to leave the UK
Friday 7th June 1940 12:00US embassy advises "that this may be the last opportunity for Americans to get home until after the war."
26 Sqn and 16 Sqn transfer from Lympne
Saturday 8th June 1940 12:00After having flown tactical reconnaissance over Dunkirk and resupply to Calais 26 Sqn (Lysander) transfer to West Malling and 16 Sqn (Lysander) transfer to Redhill.
245 Sqn Arrives at Hawkinge
Sunday 9th June 1940 12:00After refuelling they fly an uneventful bomber escort over France.
Formation of Care And Maintenance Party, Lympne
12:00OPERATIONS RECORD BOOK of (Unit or Formation) Care and Maintenance Party, Lympne
| Place | Date | Time | Summary of Events | References to Appendices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lympne | 1940 June 9th |
Formation of CARE AND MAINTENANCE PARTY at R.A.F. STATION, Lympne. ESTABLISHMENT:- NINE OFFICERS. 234 AIRMEN. 14 CIVILIANS. (WAR/F.C/164 dated 7/6/40) Arrival of four airmen for essential duties prior to arrival of personnel. |
Italy decares war
Monday 10th June 1940 12:00The Air Force consists of around 1,500 servicable aircraft.
Ban on ringing church bells is issued
Thursday 13th June 1940 12:00Merchant Shipping Division sends a letter to Naval High command discussing transports
12:00Rhine ships can be available in fourteen days to three weeks. Ten motor passenger vessels, 200 motor tugs, 85 powered barges, 12 motor tankers, 2,000 barges. Rhine vessels are not considered very suitable for transport of troops and equipment due to their lack of seaworthyness and low longitudinal strength.
OKH ordered to reduce the Heer's strength
Saturday 15th June 1940 12:00Target is reducing by 35 divisions to 120 divisions - which means demobilising roughly 20% of the men under arms - allowing them to return to industry and agriculture where labour is needed.
Halder concludes:
[This is] based on the assumption that with the now final collapse of the enemy [France] the army will have fulfilled its mission [and] the Air Force and the Navy will be carrying on the war against Britain alone.
OKW assess invasion of Britain
Monday 17th June 1940 12:00Warlimont (Jodel's deputy chief of the OKW's Operations Staff) notes that:
With regard to a landing in Britain, the Führer … has not up to now expressed such an intention, as he fully appreciates the unusual difficulties of such an operation. Therefore, even at this time, no preparatory work of any type has been carried out at OKW.
Only the Kriegsmarine has begun provisionally earmarking shipping and collating topographical intelligence about the coast between The Isle of Wight and the Wash.
Notes on German Parachutists issued by GHQ Home Forces
Tuesday 18th June 1940 12:00German plans for the invasion of this country will have been worked out in great detail and secrecy.
Churchill addresses the House of Commons
12:00Churchill tells the House of Commons: "Hitler knows that he will have to break us in this island or lose the war."