DOCSLIB.ORG

Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) Wednesday Volume 515 15 September 2010 No. 46 HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) Wednesday 15 September 2010 £5·00 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2010 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Parliamentary Click-Use Licence, available online through the Office of Public Sector Information website at www.opsi.gov.uk/click-use/ Enquiries to the Office of Public Sector Information, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU; e-mail: [email protected] 863 15 SEPTEMBER 2010 864 Ms Ritchie: I join the Secretary in State in condemning House of Commons attacks by dissident republicans on police personnel, property and community. I also join him in thanking Wednesday 15 September 2010 the shadow Secretary of State and the shadow Minister for their work in Northern Ireland over recent years. The House met at half-past Eleven o’clock I would like to move on in respect of terrorist violence in Northern Ireland to today’s findings of the Independent PRAYERS Monitoring Commission, which state that the Ulster Volunteer Force leadership sanctioned the murder of [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] Bobby Moffett and that it could have stopped it if it had wanted. I am sure that the Secretary of State and all BUSINESS BEFORE QUESTIONS Members would agree that that should be viewed very seriously. Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that it BENEVENTAN MISSAL undermines the assurances that we were given about Resolved, UVF decommissioning? Does he have no concerns that a decision not to re-categorise the UVF ceasefire will That an Humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, That she will be graciously pleased to give directions that there be laid send a signal that a planned killing is par for the course before this House a Return of the Report from the Right Honourable and represents an acceptable level of violence? Does he Sir David Hirst, Chairman of the Spoliation Advisory Panel, further agree that all this raises the question of when is dated 15 September 2010, in respect of a renewed claim by the a ceasefire a ceasefire? Metropolitan Chapter of Benevento for the return of the Beneventan Missal now in the possession of the British Library.—(Angela Watkinson.) Mr Speaker: Order. In future, questions must be shorter. This really will not do. Oral Answers to Questions Mr Paterson: I am grateful for the hon. Lady’s question. This was a disgusting murder, carried out at just after 1 o’clock in the afternoon in front of good, ordinary NORTHERN IRELAND people going about their daily business, and it should be utterly condemned. The IMC report makes clear how The Secretary of State was asked— extremely serious the matter is, but it does not recommend that we consider specification. We in Westminster, those Paramilitary Organisations in Stormont, the police, those responsible for security in Northern Ireland and, above all, the community have to 1. Ms Margaret Ritchie (South Down) (SDLP): What bear down on this small number of people. I pay tribute recent assessment he has made of the threat to security to the very large number of people who turned out for from paramilitary organisations in Northern Ireland; the funeral, showing what the local community really and if he will make a statement. [14502] thinks. 3. David Simpson (Upper Bann) (DUP): What recent David Simpson (Upper Bann) (DUP): The Secretary assessment he has made of the level of dissident of State will be aware of a recent attack by dissident republican activity in Northern Ireland. [14504] republicans in my constituency, in which two young The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mr Owen children almost lost their lives. My understanding is Paterson): With permission, I would like to make a brief that six or seven people were arrested by the Police comment about the shadow Secretary of State for Northern Service of Northern Ireland, but all were released. Does Ireland, the right hon. Member for St Helens South and the right hon. Gentleman understand the frustration of Whiston (Mr Woodward), and his deputy the shadow my constituents at the fact that no one has been charged Minister of State, the right hon. Member for Wythenshawe for that and other offences, or is it the case that the and Sale East (Paul Goggins), as this might be their last PSNI no longer has the experienced detectives that it outing in their current positions. We should put on needs? record our gratitude for the work that they did when in office and for pulling off the great final stage of ensuring Mr Paterson: I am very sympathetic to the problems that policing and justice were devolved. We all owe that the hon. Gentleman has in his constituency. This them—and everyone in Northern Ireland owes them—a small number of people are wholly unrepresentative of debt. the community.What they are doing is utterly irresponsible The threat level in Northern Ireland remains at severe. and risks serious damage to lives—it has to be utterly The security forces continue to bear down on these condemned. We have to respect the operational terrorist groupings. So far this year, there have been independence of the police. As I cited earlier, arrests are 163 arrests and 56 persons charged with terrorist offences. up and charges are up this year. We have had 56 charges That compares with 106 arrests and 17 charges in the as against 17 last year, but it is not for me to interfere whole of 2009. The numbers involved are small in terms with the processes of the police or of justice. The hon. of the overall population, but not insignificant in some Gentleman has good contacts with the local Minister areas. Everyone must play their part in demonstrating and this is a devolved matter. If the local judicial system that these people have nothing to offer but suffering, can be accelerated, that is now in local hands; we should damage and the diversion of money that would be not tamper with the independence of either the police better spent elsewhere. or the judiciary. 865 Oral Answers15 SEPTEMBER 2010 Oral Answers 866 Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury) (Con): I also have achieved the Patten threshold. The renewal of the pay tribute to the work of the shadow Secretary of measure was due to last one more year, and we agreed State when he was in office, and I particularly thank the to that when we were in opposition. What we do next is shadow Minister of State for the very courteous way in up to us to discuss with the local Minister responsible which he treated me while I shadowed him for a number and with those who now run the police service, but I of years. hope that we have established enough momentum to Given the pressures of historical inquiries and given ensure that people throughout the community will see the inevitable budgetary pressures that all public sector joining the PSNI as a worthwhile career, and will be workers and departments are facing, is the right hon. attracted to it. Gentleman satisfied that the PSNI has adequate resources Effects of Recession to counter the threats we face—not only from dissident republicans, but from any terrorists in Northern Ireland? 2. Christopher Pincher (Tamworth) (Con): What Mr Paterson: I am grateful for the comments of the recent discussions he has had with Ministers in the Chairman of the Select Committee. We will stand by Northern Ireland Executive on the effects of the Northern Ireland, and we will do what is right. As for recession on the Northern Ireland economy. [14503] the issue of police numbers, we know that there could always be more—there is not a chief constable in the The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Mr Hugo United Kingdom who would not like more—but I am Swire): With your indulgence, Mr Speaker, I wish to in regular contact with the local Justice Minister, the add my thanks to the shadow Secretary of State and the Chief Constable and those who are bearing down on shadow Minister for the assistance that they have given dissidents, and we will ensure that we do the right thing since we took office. by Northern Ireland. In Belfast last month, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I met my hon. Friend the Exchequer Ian Paisley (North Antrim) (DUP): I echo the words Secretary and the Northern Ireland Ministers for Finance of thanks to the former Secretary of State and his and Personnel and for Enterprise, Trade and Investment. former security Minister. We had several bruising We regularly meet Northern Ireland ministerial colleagues encounters—some good and others not so good, but to discuss economic matters and how we can best work very enjoyable none the less. in partnership to stimulate economic growth and encourage inward investment in Northern Ireland. Let me turn to the dissident threat. Can the Secretary of State give us a progress report on the automatic Christopher Pincher: The economy in Northern Ireland number plate recognition system that his security Minister remains delicate. Unemployment rose between March announced in the House not long ago? Has it been and May. Will my hon. Friend do all that he can to introduced, and what progress is being made in terms of ensure that politicians and parties across the spectrum countering and surveillance activities relating to dissident in Northern Ireland do not play politics when making republicans? economic decisions? Mr Paterson: At the last Question Time, we announced Mr Swire: My hon. Friend will not be surprised to that we had approved the final tranche—the £12.9 million hear that I entirely agree with those sentiments.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Royal Air Force Historical Society Journal 29
    ROYAL AIR FORCE HISTORICAL SOCIETY JOURNAL 29 2 The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the contributors concerned and are not necessarily those held by the Royal Air Force Historical Society. Copyright 2003: Royal Air Force Historical Society First published in the UK in 2003 by the Royal Air Force Historical Society All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission from the Publisher in writing. ISSN 1361-4231 Typeset by Creative Associates 115 Magdalen Road Oxford OX4 1RS Printed by Advance Book Printing Unit 9 Northmoor Park Church Road Northmoor OX29 5UH 3 CONTENTS BATTLE OF BRITAIN DAY. Address by Dr Alfred Price at the 5 AGM held on 12th June 2002 WHAT WAS THE IMPACT OF THE LUFTWAFFE’S ‘TIP 24 AND RUN’ BOMBING ATTACKS, MARCH 1942-JUNE 1943? A winning British Two Air Forces Award paper by Sqn Ldr Chris Goss SUMMARY OF THE MINUTES OF THE SIXTEENTH 52 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD IN THE ROYAL AIR FORCE CLUB ON 12th JUNE 2002 ON THE GROUND BUT ON THE AIR by Charles Mitchell 55 ST-OMER APPEAL UPDATE by Air Cdre Peter Dye 59 LIFE IN THE SHADOWS by Sqn Ldr Stanley Booker 62 THE MUNICIPAL LIAISON SCHEME by Wg Cdr C G Jefford 76 BOOK REVIEWS. 80 4 ROYAL AIR FORCE HISTORICAL SOCIETY President Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Michael Beetham GCB CBE DFC AFC Vice-President Air Marshal Sir Frederick Sowrey KCB CBE AFC Committee Chairman Air Vice-Marshal
    [Show full text]
  • An Update on the UK Coalition Government's
    Statewatch Analysis Six months on: An update on the UK coalition government’s commitment to civil liberties Max Rowlands Contents Part I Introduction Part II The proposed measures 1. The Freedom (Great Repeal) Bill 2. Identity cards, the National Identity Register and the ContactPoint database 3. Fingerprinting in schools 4. The Freedom of Information Act 5. The DNA database 6. The right to trial by jury 7. The right to protest 8. Libel laws 9. The misuse of anti-terrorism legislation 10. The regulation of CCTV 11. The retention of communications data 12. The proliferation of unnecessary criminal offences 13. The Human Rights Act Part III What other reforms are needed? 14. The “database state” 15. The Digital Economy Act 16. Anti-social behaviour legislation 17. Anti-terrorism legislation Part IV Conclusion 1 Part I: Introduction Within weeks of its formation in May 2010, the coalition government announced with much fanfare its intention “to restore the rights of individuals in the face of encroaching state power.” An easy victory over Labour’s politically bankrupt National Identity Scheme followed, but since then the government’s approach has been characterised by caution and pragmatism rather than an unerring commitment to liberty. This is largely because there are splits within government on many of the key civil liberties issues that fundamentally define the relationship between citizen and state: how long and under what conditions can the government detain us, to what extent should the state surveil us, and what data on us should it hold? These internal divisions have been compounded by significant pressure from the civil service and security agencies to retain Labour policies that served to empower them.
    [Show full text]
  • How the Luftwaffe Lost the Battle of Britain British Courage and Capability Might Not Have Been Enough to Win; German Mistakes Were Also Key
    How the Luftwaffe Lost the Battle of Britain British courage and capability might not have been enough to win; German mistakes were also key. By John T. Correll n July 1940, the situation looked “We shall fight on the beaches, we shall can do more than delay the result.” Gen. dire for Great Britain. It had taken fight on the landing grounds, we shall Maxime Weygand, commander in chief Germany less than two months to fight in the fields and in the streets, we of French military forces until France’s invade and conquer most of Western shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, predicted, “In three weeks, IEurope. The fast-moving German Army, surrender.” England will have her neck wrung like supported by panzers and Stuka dive Not everyone agreed with Churchill. a chicken.” bombers, overwhelmed the Netherlands Appeasement and defeatism were rife in Thus it was that the events of July 10 and Belgium in a matter of days. France, the British Foreign Office. The Foreign through Oct. 31—known to history as the which had 114 divisions and outnumbered Secretary, Lord Halifax, believed that Battle of Britain—came as a surprise to the Germany in tanks and artillery, held out a Britain had lost already. To Churchill’s prophets of doom. Britain won. The RAF little longer but surrendered on June 22. fury, the undersecretary of state for for- proved to be a better combat force than Britain was fortunate to have extracted its eign affairs, Richard A. “Rab” Butler, told the Luftwaffe in almost every respect.
    [Show full text]
  • Remembering the Battle of Britain 80 Years Later En Souvenir De La Bataille D’Angleterre 80 Ans Plus Tard Article By: R.D
    1 SEPTEMBER / SEPTEMBRE 2020 VOL. 54, NO. 9 Remembering the Battle of Britain 80 years later En souvenir de la bataille d’Angleterre 80 ans plus tard Article by: R.D. Newman, Wing Heritage Officer 80 years have elapsed since the Battle of Britain. Most Canadians, including in the armed forces, have never heard of it. To many of those who have, it is a blip of history in an ancient, largely forgotten war. The question begs: so why do we bother to commemorate it? Because that single three-and-a-half-long month battle in summer 1940 decided more than the survival of Britain--the fate of the entire world and its 2 ½ billion people were at stake. September 1939 Nazi Germany fell upon Poland, enslaving and murdering its people, starting the Second World War, then over the next 10 months swept through Western Europe (neutral countries excepted) until only Britain was left standing. Britain was key to the world. If it was defeated, Germany would gain total dominion over Europe and be impossible to dislodge. Its armies would be free to strike at Russia, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Meanwhile, since 1936 Japan been waging a campaign to conquer the Far East, with an Hit by gunfire from the twin-engine German Heinkel He-111 bomber seen here, a flaming Royal Air Force Spitfire fighter flashes by the eye to seize all of Asia. And Italy had been bomber as its pilot seeks room to bail out. Taken during combat, the image is naturally grainy. Image Courtesy and Copyright Bundesarchiv rampaging in Africa and the Mediterranean, Koblenz All Rights Reserved.
    [Show full text]
  • A Surveillance Society?
    House of Commons Home Affairs Committee A Surveillance Society? Fifth Report of Session 2007–08 Volume I Report, together with formal minutes Ordered by The House of Commons to be printed 20 May 2008 HC 58-I [Incorporating HC 508-i–iv, Session 2006–07] Published on 8 June 2008 by authority of the House of Commons London: The Stationery Office Limited £0.00 The Home Affairs Committee The Home Affairs Committee is appointed by the House of Commons to examine the expenditure, administration, and policy of the Home Office and its associated public bodies. Current membership Rt Hon Keith Vaz MP (Labour, Leicester East) (Chairman) Tom Brake MP (Liberal Democrat, Charshalton and Wallington) Ms Karen Buck MP (Labour, Regent’s Park and Kensington North) Mr James Clappison MP (Conservative, Hertsmere) Mrs Ann Cryer MP (Labour, Keighley) David TC Davies MP (Conservative, Monmouth) Mrs Janet Dean MP (Labour, Burton) Patrick Mercer MP (Conservative, Newark) Margaret Moran MP (Labour, Luton South) Gwyn Prosser MP (Labour, Dover) Bob Russell MP (Liberal Democrat, Colchester) Martin Salter MP (Labour, Reading West) Mr Gary Streeter MP (Conservative, South West Devon) Mr David Winnick MP (Labour, Walsall North) The following Members were also members of the Committee during the inquiry: Rt Hon John Denham MP (Labour, Southampton Itchen) Mr Jeremy Browne MP (Liberal Democrat, Taunton) Mr Richard Benyon MP (Conservative, Newbury) Powers The Committee is one of the departmental select committees, the powers of which are set out in House of Commons Standing Orders, principally in SO No 152. These are available on the Internet via www.parliament.uk.
    [Show full text]
  • All Nations Together a Battle of Britain Resource
    All Nations Together A Battle of Britain resource This resource provides biographical content to supplement a Key Stage 3 student study into the Battle of Britain. It highlights the international profile of the Royal Air Force in 1940. As well as investigation into the political, strategic, tactical and technical aspects of the battle, no study is complete without reference to the human experience of the event. This was an early phase of the Second World War when the outcome hung upon the skills and courage of a small number of combatants and support staff. It may surprise students to learn that numbered among Churchill’s ‘Few’ were participants from many Allied nations. A study of the Battle fits into Key Stage 3 History in the following ways: • In the broad purpose of the study of history, as outlined in the National Curriculum: ‘History helps pupils to understand the complexity of people’s lives, the process of change, the diversity of societies and relationships between different groups, as well as their own identity and the challenges of their time.’ • One of the key aims for the teaching of KS3 history is to: ‘know and understand the history of these islands as a coherent, chronological narrative, from the earliest times to the present day: how people’s lives have shaped this nation and how Britain has influenced and been influenced by the wider world.’ • Amongst options for subject content is the unit: ‘challenges for Britain, Europe and the wider world 1901 to the present day … this could include: … the Second World War and the wartime leadership of Winston Churchill.’ The Battle of Britain, 10 July to 31 October 1940, was a large air battle fought between the German air force - the Luftwaffe - and the Royal Air Force of Great Britain.
    [Show full text]
  • X Marks the Box: How to Make Politics Work for You by Daniel Blythe
    Thank you for downloading the free ebook edition of X Marks the Box: How to Make Politics Work for You by Daniel Blythe. This edition is complete and unabridged. Please feel free to pass it on to anyone else you think would be interested. Follow Daniel on his blog at www.xmarksthebox.co.uk. The book is all about debate, of course – so get involved and tell Daniel and the world what you think there! The printed edition of X Marks the Box (ISBN 9781848310513), priced £7.99, is published on Thursday 4 March by Icon Books and will be available in all good bookstores – online and otherwise. And don’t forget to vote! www.xmarksthebox.co.uk I C O N B O O K S Published in the UK in 2010 by Icon Books Ltd, Omnibus Business Centre, 39–41 North Road, London N7 9DP email: [email protected] www.iconbooks.co.uk This electronic edition published in 2010 by Icon Books ISBN: 978-1-84831-180-0 (ePub format) ISBN: 978-1-84831-191-6 (Adobe ebook format) Printed edition (ISBN: 978-1-84831-051-3) sold in the UK, Europe, South Africa and Asia by Faber & Faber Ltd, Bloomsbury House, 74–77 Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DA or their agents Printed edition distributed in the UK, Europe, South Africa and Asia by TBS Ltd, TBS Distribution Centre, Colchester Road, Frating Green, Colchester CO7 7DW Printed edition published in Australia in 2010 by Allen & Unwin Pty Ltd, PO Box 8500, 83 Alexander Street, Crows Nest, NSW 2065 Printed edition distributed in Canada by Penguin Books Canada, 90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario M4P 2YE Text copyright © 2010 Daniel Blythe The author has asserted his moral rights.
    [Show full text]
  • Battling for the Skies: Key Facts
    vv Battling for the Skies: Key Facts The Beginning Many battles took place during the six years of the Second World War. However, one of the most significant and momentous of these was the Battle of Britain. This was a battle fought above the skies of England whereby the Royal Air Force (RAF) heroically and skilfully held off the German air force (the Luftwaffe) who were attempting to defeat and then invade Great Britain. After conquering most of Europe, Hitler (Germany’s Chancellor and military leader) turned his attentions to attacking Great Britain. His plan, which was given the code name Operation Sea Lion, was to bombard the UK from the skies and then raid it from the sea. However, he greatly underestimated the bravery and the power of the British pilots, planes and people. In July 1940, when German planes began bombing British airfields, harbours, factories and radar stations, the Luftwaffe had 2000 more planes than the RAF. However, by the end of the battle, 1800 of these were shot down by allied aircraft compared to the British loss of around 1000. The bombing went on for many months. As the battle continued, Hitler grew increasingly frustrated by the lack of progress that the Luftwaffe were making and so in September, he commanded them to begin bombing British towns and cities instead. Although many cities across Britain were attacked, London was the most heavily afflicted in a period of history famously known as The Blitz. During this time, thousands of Londoners lost their homes and lives due to nightly German bombing assaults.
    [Show full text]
  • The Battle of Britain, 1945–1965 : the Air Ministry and the Few / Garry Campion
    Copyrighted material – 978–0–230–28454–8 © Garry Campion 2015 All rights reserved. No reproduction, copy or transmission of this publication may be made without written permission. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, copied or transmitted save with written permission or in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, or under the terms of any licence permitting limited copying issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency, Saffron House, 6–10 Kirby Street, London EC1N 8TS. Any person who does any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages. The author has asserted his right to be identified as the author of this work in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. First published 2015 by PALGRAVE MACMILLAN Palgrave Macmillan in the UK is an imprint of Macmillan Publishers Limited, registered in England, company number 785998, of Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 6XS. Palgrave Macmillan in the US is a division of St Martin’s Press LLC, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010. Palgrave Macmillan is the global academic imprint of the above companies and has companies and representatives throughout the world. Palgrave® and Macmillan® are registered trademarks in the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe and other countries. ISBN 978–0–230–28454–8 This book is printed on paper suitable for recycling and made from fully managed and sustained forest sources. Logging, pulping and manufacturing processes are expected to conform to the environmental regulations of the country of origin. A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
    [Show full text]
  • The Battle of Britain: Mankind's Finest Hour
    THETHE BATTLEBATTLE OFOF BRITAIN:BRITAIN: MANKINDMANKIND’’SS FINESTFINEST HOURHOUR 1 WEEKWEEK ONE:ONE: 19181918--19401940 FROMFROM ARMISTICEARMISTICE TOTO THETHE BATTLEBATTLE OFOF FRANCEFRANCE THETHE WARWAR TOTO ENDEND ALLALL WARSWARS FROMFROM VICTORYVICTORY TOTO DEPRESSIONDEPRESSION DEMOBILIZATION FOLLOWS END OF WAR STOCK MARKETS COLLAPSE IN 1929 WORLD ECONOMIES IN TATTERS MASSIVE UNEMPLOYMENT GUNS VERSUS BUTTER WIDESPREADWIDESPREAD OPPOSITIONOPPOSITION TOTO ANOTHERANOTHER WARWAR MASSIVE WORLD WAR I CASUALTIES “THE BOMBER WILL ALWAYS GET THROUGH” CIVILIANS WIDELY SEEN AS VULNERABLE MINUTES TO OVERFLY ENGLISH CHANNEL FEAR OF GLOBAL CATASTROPHE THRTHREEEE MAJORMAJOR EUROPEANEUROPEAN POWERSPOWERS DOMINATEDOMINATE THETHE CONTINENTCONTINENT FRANCE – GERMANY – BRITAIN OPPOSING SECURITY SCHEMES DISARMAMENT PACTS POPULAR BRITAINBRITAIN RULESRULES THETHE WAVESWAVES 300 YEARS OF DOMINANT SEAPOWER NO INVASION SINCE 1066 ENGLAND PROTECTED BY THE CHANNEL ARMY DEPLOYED ACROSS THE EMPIRE FRENCHFRENCH BUILDBUILD MAGINOTMAGINOT LINELINE FROM SWITZERLAND TO BELGIUM KEEP THE HUNS OUT! VULNERABLE TO FLANKING PERFECT FOR THE LAST WAR GERMANSGERMANS REARMREARM BYBY STEALTHSTEALTH STEEL INDUSTRY EXPANDS CAPACITY PANZER CORPS FORMED LUFTWAFFE SECRETLY ESTABLISHED NAVY EXPANDS – BUT NOT ENOUGH 19361936--19391939 THETHE SPANISHSPANISH CIVILCIVIL WARWAR BERLIN SUPPORTS FRANCO’S FASCISTS NAZIS DEVELOP AIR-GROUND TACTICS LUFTWAFFE GAINS COMBAT EXPERIENCE USE OF TERROR BOMBING OF CIVILIANS GERMANYGERMANY ANNEXESANNEXES TERRITORYTERRITORY
    [Show full text]
  • Knowledge Organiser: Battle of Britain Should We Show Forgiveness to Those Who Hurt Us?
    Knowledge Organiser: Battle of Britain Should we show forgiveness to those who hurt us? segregation discrimination oppression adversity The Battle of Britain was an important battle in World War II. After Germany and Hitler had conquered most of Europe, including France, the only major country left to fight them was Great Britain. 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. Battle of Britain Day When was it? On September 15, 1940 Germany In July 1940, Hitler gave orders for the preparation launched a large bombing evacuated of a seaborne invasion of attack on the city of London. Britain, called Operation Many children were from the cities for their own Sealion. To make this easier, he sent the safety. Luftwaffe (German air force) Germany continued to bomb to destroy Britain's Royal Air Force (RAF)first. London at night until May of 1941. This series of bombings was called the Blitz. At one point London was bombed for 57 nights in a row. Did you know? Vocabulary Meaning It is estimated that World War II The Second World War. It was a global war that around 1,000 British lasted from 1939 to 1945. planes were shot down during the battle, while over 1,800 Hitler Leader of the Nazi Party. Became chancellor (leader) German planes were of Germany in 1933. He destroyed. initiated World War II in Europe by invading Poland on 1 September 1939 Evacuated Remove (someone) from a place of danger to a safer place.
    [Show full text]
  • N August 1940 the Royal Air Force Attacked Targets in Germany, In
    n August 1940 the Royal Air Force attacked targets British: in Germany, in retaliation for bombs that had fallen Elements of No. 10,11 and 12 Group on London. The move enraged Hitler, who ordered a squadrons. •Spitfire I, Hurricane I, massive bombardment to be unleashed against London by way Ramming attacks (TB phase only) of reprisal. The new phase in the battle of Britain opened on 7 • Hurricane I (HB phase only) September, when several hundred bombers attacked the dock Late arrival (HB phase only) areas to the east of the city, causing severe damage and several large fires. In the week that followed there were three further Mission 4. Factory Target daylight attacks on the capital. For the fifth action in the series, to (Target-Bound 8 • Home-Bound 7) Port of London dockyards take place on Sunday 15 September, the Luftwaffe planned to deliver two separate attacks on the city, both with a strong escort German: of fighters, with a further two attacks against targets on the Elements of Kampfgeschwader 53, 2, south coast. The resultant action would mark the climax of the and 56 Battle of Britain. •(4)He111's, (2)Do17s, Vital target • Bf109E (Galland) Fighter sweep In ascending order of importance, thi German: vs. raids play as follows: Elements of Kampfgeschwader 55 Hurricane I element • (4) He111 's, Deceptive course •Bf109E (TB phase only) Mission 1. Factory Target •Bf109E(HB phase only) (Target-Bound 9 • Home-Bound 8) British: Supermarine aircraft works Elements of No. 152 Squadron British: at Southampton • Spitfire I (TB phase only) Massed elements of No.
    [Show full text]