The Hardest Day, Battle of Britain - Animated

On the 18th August 1940, the Luftwaffe would launch an all out attack to destroy the RAF's Fighter Command. The day would yield the largest combined losses of any day during the Battle of Britain. It would become known as The Hardest Day.
Note - yes the music is a little loud, this was my first ever video and i was still learning the ropes!
/ theoperationsroom
/ the_ops_room
Maps - maps-for-free....
Music - "Birth of a Hero" - www.bensound.com
All images are public domain.
Flight paths, scramble and intercept times, and aircraft crashes/losses are as accurate as recorded history can reasonably allow. The melee east of the Isle of Wight was confused and chaotic, so squadron positions are a best guess here. Individual aircraft may have strayed away from their squadrons during the chaos, which may not be shown here.

[@TheOperationsRoom]

Hello Ladies and Gents. Your positive comments really are appreciated. I create these videos in my spare time around a full time day job. Each one takes around 60-70 man hours of effort to produce, even longer on complex videos like Schweinfurt-Regensburg and the Battle of Midway. My goal is to reach 100k subscribers by the end of 2020. If you enjoy The Operations Room, it would be awesome if you could please subscribe!

[@SpeckleKen]

There are several good sources on The Hardest Day, but I have never seen one which puts the detail so well into its context. This is fantastic! Let me take you one closer to your 100k.

[@AznMarshmallow]

damn. well good work, subbed - please keep it up

[@HARDRODE]

just a bit lower backround music please... the clear narration is far more important. but thank you and . Well Done.

[@slartybartfarst55]

Subscribed, & great work! One more towards your target!

[@Orcaben1]

Good video as usual However two major points, 1, get a better microphone i beg you haha, 2, change your tone of voice every now and again, having a monotone voice throughout can make the video rather dull. Hope your well!

[@larrydrozd2740]

As a person who has studied WW2 for over 50 years, since my grand father fought in Anzio and the Battle of the Bulge, all the information that is given in these videos is spot on perfect! This person has CLEARLY done his homework! Excellent work!

[@TheOperationsRoom]

Thankyou sir

[@JAKphoenixify]

My great grandfather fought in the same battles, albeit on the other side.

[@JAKphoenixify]

@John MacTavish My grandad was the Indian free army, fought at France and a few other places in Europe. He and his guys were fighting for India, not for German conquest.

[@evilassaultweaponeer]

My grandfather fought in France, and his cousin fell at Anzio. I think of them often when I feel trepidation about standing up to the petty challenges I face.

[@edwardsnkwden5599]

@ORP Orzeł Prawdziwa historia Britains Empire was crumbling and all things considered the United Kingdom I believe is the first Empire and was also the Largest ever empire Known, the reason why india, africa, what would become the US and canada Ect have modern for there times the infrastructure like railways something the British Empire was masterful at and of course docks all over the world cyprus the canary islands, Australia, TO pass on its power gradually to another nation but particularly during the 30s and 40s there were a lot of US families with huge ties to the British Isles. Even Kennedy still has relatives in Ireland. My point being Britain was the first to say NO to Hitler and actually beat them back for which all the Naval Power and Armies were thousands of miles away and Britain risked losing there Fleets which provided security for the insane amount of food and munitions the British Isles needed to keep itself going The Soviets had an invincible general The Winter ours here in Britain is our notorious wether which can shift on a dime and that's why napoleon failed too, just 21 miles at its shortest point but Nazi Germany had no chance If you know anything about British people they would have to kill everybody thats why the Blitz just pissed them off with the Underground train stations there were minimal casualties. During this time NaziGermany was thought to be unbeatable a modernised mechanised army and Britain considered doomed by almost all but our Warriors showed that the Nazis could bleed and the psychological damage it did saved the world as Britain then with the US slowly handed over the power of being number One and our contribution was and still is invaluable to the US which is why we are a Brother nation not just Allies, I've fought alongside the US in combat and they love us for our aggression and can trust us to help do whatever needs to be done and remember you are our blood and so in battle blood brothers. Britain helped crack the Nazi codes. Invented the commandos and eventually SAS (showing small teams could do massive damage, leading to the Seal Teams and so on. Showed Nazi Germany could lose. And handed over the world power to the US being the first Empire to survive its downfall. Still continue to develop weapons of the future with the US. (the f35-B using more advanced Harrier tech to land like a helicopter)

[@jonathanallard2128]

I love how the silhouettes match the aircraft types. Lots of detail, good stuff.

[@tndrtacoz1176]

Even the spitfires and hurricanes have different models. This is not excellent, it's the best.

[@JesusFriedChrist]

I love when people pay attention to the little details like that.

[@KIM-JONG-UN-84]

Noice

[@kennethdeanmiller7324]

Anyone saying that these air battles fought early in the war doesn't matter are people that either don't know or understand their history.! Because Allied pilots beat the Germans 6

[@54000biker]

When my old headmaster died I read his obit and discovered that he had been Hurricane pilot during the the Battle of Britain. To say I was surprised would be an understatement. He was a pretty good teacher actually and he loved the poet Robert Browning. RIP 'Cheeks', from an old Rastrickian.

[@paleobiology]

RIP and God bless you, Cheeks.

[@brianwilke592]

Churchill was right about the pilots, but a lot of the credit, until recently, skirted the efforts of the aircraft control bunkers, and the super organized system they used to get that 80 percent interception rate you talked about. All the people involved in that system, to include the radar operators, the coastal watch people, the communications people, the women moving all the pieces on the maps, and of course all the flight officers making all those tough decisions was also very heroic.

[@ChronicExe]

To be inside of those operation rooms after all these years that the majority are left in ruin... they still have me looking in awe to the construction and the respect to what had to be done. They are amazing places.

[@donarthiazi2443]

@@ChronicExe Are they all in ruins? I would hope something from those dark days would have been preserved? So much sacrifice, and our awesome cousins were pretty much on their own!! Greetings from North Carolina... Rule Britannia

[@ChronicExe]

@@donarthiazi2443 unfortunately the majority are left in ruin, for example, there are a fair few deep level shelters where I live on south coast of England. One R3 ROTOR bunker at Ventnor is falling apart, floor boards crack under your feet, flooding etc. Same with another R3 at Portland underneath a farm. We do have a few which are now museums (Kelvdon hatch), air raid shelters still exist all over the country but are mostly sealed. London has a ridiculous amount of deep level shelters either hidden or they link with the London Underground systems. The majority of the london bunkers and centres are still active, maintained etc. Sometimes you can get lucky testing doors and enter when a workman has serviced the place but didn't lock the door properly. Each county and major town also have operation centres, some left to rot, others used for storage or used as break rooms.

[@ChronicExe]

@@donarthiazi2443 so these deep level shelters in london, hyde park has one for eg. Anyways, these things are bloody huge, you can get an electric scooter and ride down the huge long tunnels which sprawl for miles, all lined with bunk beds on one side. Majority still have power and all that jazz. Some were for the public, and some where for those who would pay a hefty price to get a seat in these so the bunker was a lot nicer inside (also larger), example being drakelow tunnels.

[@donarthiazi2443]

@@ChronicExe Thank you for sharing this information. I hope something from the past will always remain as it existed back then, to remember what those intrepid citizens endured during the Blitz. Those bunkers are far more than just the sum of their parts. Their spirit is a part of it... it's still down there and should be cherished. Thanks again

[@jlpeyret]

One thing that should be noted is that pilot losses were worse for Germans than RAF than plane losses make you think. Many RAF pilots bailing out over Britain could fight again if not killed or too badly wounded. German pilots ended as POWs or dead. Excellent video and extremely informative format. KZbin animations are really pushing the boundaries for military history documentaries and really show time and location info in an entirely new manner.

[@anthonyhayes1267]

My grandmother was a child during the blitz. I'm conceivably alive because of the dedication of these pilots, radar operators, and AAA gunners.

[@maxdecphoenix]

Dowding organized, honestly, the pinnacle Air Defense command and control system then devised. While radar seems to take most of the credit due to the novelty, it functioned primarily as Early warning system. Once in-land, the 30,000 civilian spotters in the Observer Corps offered the primary tracking information that guided the defense of a raid. It was expertly designed and executed, from early warning to during to post-raid. Not one detail overlooked. From the maintenance guys to the often completely overlooked Balloon Command.

[@jim3394]

"Oh no we lost 5 Fairey Albacores! How will we ever recover?" ~ no-one ever

[@davidhoffman6980]

The only disaster bigger than that was when the Luftwaffe destroyed the factory that made the Short Sterling-one of the most beautiful aircraft in the skies-in Coventry.

[@DontAttme]

KMS Bismarck would like a word.

[@chuckbuck5002]

@@DontAttme WHat

[@tankythemagnorite9855]

@@DontAttme that was fairy swordfish

[@DontAttme]

@@tankythemagnorite9855 point is most people deemed planes like those subpar until times like then. It was the same way to this day even with Hurricanes.

[@richardb2580]

"The Dowding System" .... it took so long for Sir Hugh Dowding to be acknowledged as the actual saviour of this scenario! Without his foresight, who knows!

[@funkydozer]

Nothing to it, old boy. A spot of lunch and cricket before hopping in our kites to give Jerry a lesson in manners, then back home for a cup of tea, before Jerry comes back for a second thrashing. We give him what for, and then it's home in time for afternoon tea and a jolly large slice of cake from Mrs. Rumbelow's bakery in the village. Blow me down if Jerry doesn't come back for more, but at least he does the courteous thing and waits until after tea. Before you know it, he is turning tail and running back to Hitler with a bloody nose, leaving us to get home just in time for supper and tea and a good old sing-song in the mess. Shame Nobby didn't make it back... he was a wiz on that old piano.

[@seang3019]

Good old Nobby! I hear he survived the war and started a jazz band in Hamburg. And still managed to pop over in the season to play first slip for Surrey.

[@mark-1rc502]

Lol yeah that just about summed up the british in them days

[@visionist7]

Watch out for that cake or you won't fit in your Spitfire

[@SirLionofBiff]

The north London judge deducts two crumpets for your failure to use the phrase "spot of bother."

[@generaladvance5812]

The sad thing though. There probably wasn't any cake on returning due to rationing. Probably a nice cup of tea though.

[@captjamus]

Others in the comments section will have their say, but I have only one word: Subscribed.

[@Sophocles13]

Imagine being in your early 20's flying up from your OWN fields to defend your mates and citizens from an unjust attacker?? Looking down and seeing their own towns and villages below them must've lit a furious fire in those boys chests that made them fight harder than 10 men.

[@SNP-1999]

Well, apart from the statement pertaining to an "unjust attacker", you may now realise why the Luftwaffe fighter pilots very courageously defended their own home country during the allied bombing offensives. They were also attempting to defend the cities, towns and villages where their families lived from total destruction.

[@memberberry5898]

@@SNP-1999 very true and based . the germans wanted a peace with honor with britain. total war is not european, it is not traditional, if the first world war was settled peacefully there would never have been a second

[@alexanderflemming6788]

@@memberberry5898 the Germans didn't want a honourable peace with Britian? The Nazis were expansionist and had agreed not to attack Poland which they attacked and agreed only to take the Suddetnland of Czechslavia which they didn't and agreed to not take any more land which they did. So even if Hitler wanted peace there was no evidence he would stick to the terms of it so nobody would make peace. As well as the first world war was settled peacefully that's how it ended with a peace conference where the central powers agreed to the demands of the entente and surrended.

[@TheCaptainZodo]

@@SNP-1999 You really just put quotation marks on "unjust attacker" for Nazi Germany lmao. Idiot.

[@mingodingo]

"Unjust attacker"? What a meaningless phrase in war.

[@lukasvillar9328]

Imagine the pressure on pilots, crews and ground crews on both sides knowing that the whole future of the world is focused on them.

[@FlexBeanbag]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJ7GaoF8m82rbZY

[@MarsFKA]

You may be certain that, under enormous daily pressure, the last thing the pilots, crews and ground crews were thinking about was the future of the world.

[@billyjoe8185]

@@MarsFKA yeah there were probably just thinking about if they were going to survive the next 5 minutes

[@donarthiazi2443]

Let's not exaggerate Lukas. The 'whole future of the world' was hardly focused on them. And in NO WAY am I diminishing ANYTHING these unbelievably brave people accomplished. But come on now

[@112mirai]

@@donarthiazi2443 I agree, even if the British Isles fell, the Canadians, Aussies, Indians, and the Africans and even the Arabs would continue the fight and after a while the U.S aswell.

[@craigedwards5298]

I live in Hawkinge, everyday a spitfire flies over down to dover and then back. The sound is marvellous.

[@walterkronkitesleftshoe6684]

Lucky Lucky Craig. How are things down there? Is it as swamped with migrants as the MSM portray?

[@tomarnott8978]

This is really amazing, well done! Hope to see more quality content like this in the future

[@TheOperationsRoom]

Thanks mate, i look forward to bringing you all more :)

[@teto85]

My wife's grandad was one of the "Few". Thanks for saving the world Archie. R.I.P.

[@stevenluitjens1348]

Your granddad is a damn hero. How young was he?

[@teto85]

@@stevenluitjens1348 He passed away in 2019, aged 99.

[@kraypher6103]

@@teto85 god bless

[@roybennett9284]

What did he fly? What did he do after the battle of Britain?.. thanks

[@teto85]

@@roybennett9284 He flew Hurricanes, Mosquitos and Tempests and Typhoons.

[@FlyinBrian777]

I've studied the Battle of Britain my whole life, the precise details in this presentation brought my knowledge to a new level. Thank you.

[@garyseeseverything8615]

It’s a lie the British lost the air war! America saved them cmon guy

[@thelogician3845]

@@garyseeseverything8615 Well the RAF drove the Germans back,America turned up to spank their rears........

[@garyseeseverything8615]

@@thelogician3845 p51 was designed by a German including radar. Atomic bomb was German. The Spitfire was created in image of the bf109 Germany had the worlds first modern fighter plane. RAF lost the Battle of Britain when they went begging the world for help, cmon why was Canada and Austrialia even flying spitfires over the English Channel? Spitfire was a cheap plane and the Brits desperately used American 100 octanes to compete against bf109 which used 87 octanes. Spitfire were so backward technologically it didn’t have fuel injection, wing slats, nose cannons, the sad thing had the fuel tank in front of the pilot. America and Britain had the lowest saddest aces something like 30kills vs Germans 300 plus! Twiddle your thumbs and marvel

[@AdamMGTF]

@@garyseeseverything8615 not sure if your using nonsense to provoke an argument or that your just miss informed. Please clarify

[@garyseeseverything8615]

@@AdamMGTF www.aerosociety.com/media/4843/the-spitfire-wing-planform-a-suggestion.pdf the spitfire wing was German design basically British stole it from Germany and passed it off as their own

[@ENGBriseB]

Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few,

[@mariog9202]

@MichaelKingsfordGray who... cares...

[@AdamMGTF]

@MichaelKingsfordGray sentiment trumps pedantic comments

[@maryholder3795]

@ENGBriseB never were truer words spoken. There was slaughter on both sides but in the end Hitler cancelled Operation Sealion and the UK got breathing space.

[@teabagmcpick889]

My Grandad was bombed on the beach at Dunkirk & then bombed again while recovering in the naval hospital in Gosport. He survived both incidents but was never the same. RIP Vincent Connor ❤

[@danapussyone]

Love this. Our Battle of Britain pilots in my heart forever!! God bless the Royal Air Force.

[@aaeve5676]

@MichaelKingsfordGray Pilots are not

[@timbrickman8716]

I can understand this. But for me the sailors in the merchant ships young boys and old men the rest went into the Navies are my biggest Heroes . Moving in convoys no lights showing no way to fight back. Nearly 10,000 Canadian sailors died between 1939 to 1945

[@arakheno4051]

No opening screen, human voice, dry and informational. Well worth the watch .. subbed and looking for more. Well done.

[@TheOperationsRoom]

Thanks! What do you mean by no opening screen?

[@arakheno4051]

@@TheOperationsRoom No opening credit to explain what channel etc .. right into the info and story .. I've never minded a page display for credit (well deserved) .. but a 10 min explaination and request for likes and subs gets annoying very quickly. Seeing someone just dropping into todays story is welcome and gratifying

[@TheOperationsRoom]

I get you, it is annoying! Likes and comments do help with the youtube algorithm choosing the video for promotion, but i agree that spending the first and last minutes in the video asking for it is tedious. I think a pinned comment is sufficient.

[@arijittalukdar3591]

The narration is so good, all you need is a basic acumen of geography, and you can listen and understand the whole operation eyes closed.

[@wraith_1367]

I used to live in bigginhill for a large portion of my younger life. The town is definitely proud of our history, the yearly air shows are some of the best in Britain. The bombing raids over the course of the whole war still cause an annoyance now when Unexploded bombs are discovered

[@woooster17]

That was one of the best depictions of the hardest day I have seen.. Excellent.

[@bobwood856]

Homework definitely done on this. I strongly recommend reading "The Hardest Day - 18th August 1940" by Alfred Price, published in 1988, if you can find a copy. A detailed blow-by-blow account from both sides, of the full 24- hour period, midnight to midnight, with pictures taken on the day. Will fill in all the detail.

[@stacey_1111rh]

I’m an American who has wondered about the details of this battle for years. You obliged me! Great video

[@ThePilot4ever]

Shockingly good content on this channel! It won't be long now before it goes viral in the history world of KZbin well done TOM!

[@TheOperationsRoom]

Thankyou. Make sure you subscribe for the next video :)

[@orwellboy1958]

Excellent!! Subscribed. Great graphics, no fuss commentary. Well done.

[@TheOperationsRoom]

Thankyou. Look out for more coming soon

[@ichabodon]

I knew much about the Battle of Britain but this still brought a lump to my throat

[@michaelmoore234]

Always a pleasure to watch , as my father was a aircraft mechanic at this time , one of his favourite sayings was..." Don't panic aircraft mechanic",

[@elennapointer701]

Another excellent video. I used to have a book about the raid on Kenley by KG76 and, specifically, the efforts of the nine Dornier 17s of the 9th staffel. According to it, four of the aircraft were lost on the raid and three of the survivors were damaged. The defenders at RAF Kenley deployed a new secret weapon against the Dorniers - the parachute-and-cable system, which at its most basic, was an instant-use barrage balloon (except with parachutes rather than balloons). As the Dorniers made their attack runs, rockets were fired, trailing the cables up to around 1000 feet, at which point the parachutes opened and the cables began a slow descent (there was a parachute at each end of the cables). From what I read, at least one Dornier flew into the cables and, slowed by the drag of the parachutes, more or less stopped dead in the air, plunged into the ground and exploded, with no survivors. The station's anti-aircraft guns and the Hurricanes of 111 Squadron dealt with the others that were lost. Unfortunately, Flight Lieutenant Stanley Connors was shot down and killed during the battle, by friendly fire from the AA guns. As for the five surviving Dorniers, they were all shot-up to some degree and one of them got back to base under the control of an understandably very jittery navigator, his pilot having been killed. I think one of the others made a crash-landing in France also.

[@Danchop]

It’s good to hear this from another person, my grandad was involved in the ‘cable and parachute system’ after he was grounded by the RAF due to injuries he sustained as a navigator, he never spoke about it much, but was based on the south coast watching for planes trying to fly in under the radar.

[@wotan58]

The navigator who landed the damaged Dornier was the only pilot who recieved a medal (the knights cross) for his actions during the 18th august

[@alexmathews5455]

You are providing an invaluable service by producing these videos. My children, 9 year old twins, are learning so much from these videos. Please produce more! AWESOME!

[@TheOperationsRoom]

Please like and subscribe for more history time-lapse videos

[@neilwilson5785]

Done it! Someone from the WW2 subreddit recommended you. Great content.

[@David-jp1cg]

Just found your channel, love it. Thanks

[@Skyprince27]

@The Operations Room I’m a massive BoB fan, built models of all the planes, own four books called “Battle of Britain”, saw the iconic movie in a theatre in 1968 AND own the DVD, did a school project on it in high school, read Bader’s & Sanford Tuck’s biographies, etc., etc., etc. .... BUT “It was the defining battle of the Second World War”??? WOW, The British are full of themselves!!!!

[@alanjones6359]

Should be shown in schools these videos - bring history to life - fascinating to watch

[@alex.harrison]

Was anyone else impressed by the incredible detail on the background map of urban areas?

[@alex.harrison]

@@Fazer_600 These clearly aren't topography - topography details elevation and the shape of landforms. The map included in the video details urban areas.

[@jamesw1313]

Amazingly well done videos. The research and production level just blows my mind. You take slices of history that I have read about multiple times and show it to me minute by minute and it gives such a realism to it. I love these videos and hope you are able to make many more. Thank you so much for making these.

[@krishm16]

This is not just history ladies and gentlemen. This is the stuff of legends.

[@chrisbingley]

What happened was fairly simple. The Germans under-estimated the British Spirit. Something the H.G. Wells had remarked upon in War of the Worlds, but which Churchill summed up most eloquently. "We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France. We shall fight on the seas and oceans. We shall fight, with growing confidence and growing strength in the air. We will defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields, and in the streets. We shall fight in the hills, we shall never surrender."

[@seang3019]

You might call it spirit. I'd call it bloody good organisation. The battle was ultimately won by the men in the air but also by the folks on the ground, in particular Hugh Dowding and his crew.

[@SirLionofBiff]

Damnit, remember when politicians used to be able to speak coherently?

[@theincrediblefox]

As much as i'd love for that to be true, spirit had little to do with it. Production numbers and completely inadequate german planning was what made Germany lose the battle of Britain before it had even begun. Also, the battle itself isn't as significant as people often say. Even if Germany had won it, the invasion of Britain would have been doomed to fail from the get go. With the home fleet guarding thr british coast, getting an army large enough to conquer Britain across the channel is next to impossible, and we haven't even started talking logistics and supply lines. At no point in the war, the germans ever had the slightest chance of conquering the UK. It just was outside their capabilities.

[@seang3019]

@@theincrediblefox agreed! Ill conceived, the Royal Navy would have prevented a cross channel invasion, but nevertheless it was a victory.

[@theincrediblefox]

@@seang3019 Aye. It could be argued, that if the Germans achieved temporary air superiority, the could've deployed paratroopers into Britain, or land a small armored force before the home fleet can react, but there is just no way they could establish a permanent connection, so no supplies or logistics, wich means that spearhead force would be doomed to lose by attrition within weeks if not days.

[@AndyBilham]

Excellent content, well presented with good graphics and a great commentary. I look forward to more superb content like this timelapse, and have subscribed, ready and waiting!

[@TheOperationsRoom]

Thanks Andy. More is coming early May

[@AndyBilham]

@@TheOperationsRoom I'll be waiting!

[@VenlyssPnorr]

To anyone wanting to know more, I would heartily recommend 'The Hardest Day' by Alfred Price, and my personal favourite 'The Most Dangerous Enemy' by Stephen Bungay. The latter is an exceptional account of the battle in its entirety and debunks many myths through the use of solid statistical analysis while also finding time for some amazing personal stories.

[@AdamMGTF]

Agree on price. Also recommend voices in the air. Not sure of author without checking my shelf. But a fantastic collection of first hand accounts

[@seanmccann8368]

The Hardest Day is a fantastic book.

[@717rocket]

I can't imagine what that must of looked like from the ground. Good history lesson thank You.

[@no.64_alpha4]

Very well detailed. Thanks for posting. Cheers.

[@TheOperationsRoom]

Very kind, thanks

[@Codbinder]

This was a truly brilliant video! Nice work

[@TheOperationsRoom]

Thank you so much :)

[@royfairchild6895]

This is the best content iv seen yet.

[@GizziMoD]

WOW! very nice job sir! incredible to see it visually depicted like this and at such a high historical level.. top job

[@williamvasilakis9619]

I absolutely enjoyed this. Thank you so much. Looking forward to more. Thanks again.

[@davecroden9793]

THE best commentary of this day. Well done 👍

[@davidbilgic4553]

As a German, I'm really impressed how the RAF defended their Island.

[@carstars]

And some fine bombing by the German forces. We can only hope mankind remembers the foolishness' of this age of conflict. That old men send young capable humans to kill each other is unconscionable.

[@Kimi-uk6lf]

im sure the Luftwaffe did the same when the allies came for Berlin, nothing evil about countrymen defending their home.

[@garyseeseverything8615]

The British lost the air war! America bailed them out cmon guy

[@NickKrige]

@@garyseeseverything8615 I don't think it was only America bailing them out. It is very difficult to sustain an air war over enemy ground when your pilots are being captured or drown in the ocean every time they get shot down, while the enemy pilots can be shot down and in another plane within a couple of days. The Battle of Britain was won in part through the attrition of the Luftwaffe imo.

[@RyanTheHero3]

@@garyseeseverything8615 How so?

[@nailswithoutmilk]

Thank you so much for taking the time to make these videos. These collections are better than anything I can possibly stream from the entertainment giants.

[@gordonbain5411]

Impressive video. Personally, I'm proud to hear the two great Phantom squadrons I had experience with (43 squadron 'the fighting cocks') and 6 years on 111 (treble One or Tremblers) Squadron, did their bit and some :) Again Lee-Mallory's 'Big Wing' was a failure and thank heavens for Keith Park. :) Both Park and Dowding shamefully treated by Churchill after the battle was over.

[@TheOperationsRoom]

Through my regular job, I actually was aware they are named "Treble One", but I was always given the impression it was a "only we're allowed to call them that, not you" kinda deal with those who serve in it. I wish i had used that now - "one hundred and eleven squadron" is such a tongue twister

[@timdake]

I would humbly suggest that Hugh Dowding is quite possibly the most significant strategist of WW2, that few people have ever heard of. Had Douglas Bader had his way, the big wings would still be forming over Newcastle, today.

[@zen4men]

I entirely agree that Dowding & Park were shamefully treated. ...... However, while the 'Big Wing' was slow to form, and did have serious teething problems, on occasions it was very effective. ...... I believe it is on record that Luftwaffe pilots were heard to say that they had been told that Fighter Command was on it's last legs, and then 60 fighters appear - in ONE HUGE formation. ...... The effect on the Luftwaffe's psychology was far greater than the Big Wing's tally of kills, and should not be underestimated. ...... So I am of the view that BOTH 11 & 12 Groups served their purpose, and the either-or arguments of which was best is irrelevant. ...... 11 Group was up at the sharp end, with little time to get things organised. ...... 12 Group was more central, had more time, and experimented. ...... Different locations do tend to produce different answers to similar challenges. ...... It is true that Leigh-Mallory and Bader were difficult characters! / Following the 1940 theme .. My late Mother was 19 in 1940, and her family farmed in south Devon. .... On leave from FANY / WTS, she was helping out with the harvest, when a low flying Me 109 flew by, cockpit open, and the pilot waved to her! Although I was a boy very interested in military history, that was all she ever said of her war. ...... After her death, my sister found silk escape maps. ...... They must have meant something to my Mother to prevent her giving them to myself as a gift ( as she did with her FANY badges ). After her death, I began to think about the country houses across southern England that she dragged me to as a teenager, and her knowledge of the Beaulieu area. ....... Intuitively I was thinking 'French Section SOE', while also thinking maybe this is 2+2 = 47. ....... Obtaining her ( scanty ) records from FANY HQ, I found she was headhunted and promoted in 1944 by the former French Section Second in Command, Major Lewis Gielgud ( brother of actor ) - suggesting they knew each other previously. ...... On the face of it, Gielgud moved from SOE to the Red Cross, but why would he need a FANY assistant with the rank of Ensign? ...... I rather wonder if they were looking for lost agents, or some other secret task, as my Mother kept her mouth shut - for life! Her grandfather and great-grandfather were high-powered Cornish bankers, and she was denied any higher level education, barring a Swiss finishing school, yet she ran a country estate from just after WW2 with great talent and success. ....... While she had business brains in her bloodline, I suspect she was doing things during the war that gave her a razor sharp mind.

[@landsea7332]

" Both Park and Dowding shamefully treated by Churchill after the battle was over. " Long shorty short : During WW I , Trenchard sent Dowding home . In the inter war years , Trenchard and Salmond based their careers on "The Bomber Must Always Get Through " . During the BoB , Beaverbrook , Trenchard and Salmond pushed Chief Air Marshall Newall into an early retirement ( he became GG of NZ ) and replaced him with their protege Portal . This blocked Dowding from being promoted to this position . Sinclair was being influenced by Douglas Soto and they wanted Dowding out. Churchill's scientific adviser , Lindermann , wanted a bomber campaign . Churchill was a huge supporter of Dowding , so when Sinclair recommended Dowding be replaced Churchill "blew him out of the room . " However , there was an over all consensus to run a bomber campaign , based on WW I and Dowding's approach , I doubt Dowding would have gone along with the ineffectiveness and losses . So I suspect Churchill went along with the Air Ministry and the consensus to run a bomber campaign. When Churchill tried to get Dowding appointed to other positions , it was a diplomatic disaster , or the Air Ministry blocked the appointment . Bit of a shame because IMO Dowding 's methodical approach would have been brilliant in many other areas . Park of course went to Malta - he is one of the greatest aviation commanders ever - but a bit of stain on his career in the way he treated RAF ground crews in Asian after the war ended . .

[@barnabasld9600]

What people thought world war mode in war thunder would be like: Seriously tho great video

[@howardsix9708]

love these time lapses. clarifies everything. well done.

[@KeithGordon]

This is an amazing presentation, so informative. Thank you

[@TheOperationsRoom]

Appreciate it mate

[@TomHartnell]

You certainly know your stuff. Great video 😊

[@cdnpont]

Excellent! Keep them coming!

[@gimmethegepgun]

Something useful to know would be how many airmen were lost (killed or captured), not just the planes. Which was an important discrepancy in the Battle of Britain, since Allied airmen who survived their planes' destruction over Britain could be recovered, since they were in friendly territory, but Axis airmen could not.

[@martinjames6431]

I'm sorry but where is the pictures of funny cats, terrible English, and people who are malign role models? What's this educational, informative, well produced, rousing and frankly f**king awesome video all about. You need to remember what the world is about mate. Ignorant opinions and banal grandstanding are the order of the day not this impeccably crafted gem.

[@TheOperationsRoom]

Too kind :)

[@crhu319]

I highly recommend Mark Felton's video on the Chief Mouser cats of 10 Downing Street.

[@coolhand1964]

It would be best to describe The Operations Room as an 'Intelligent Historical Influencer' if one was to employ vernacular that is popular in todays skew-if younger generations. I call it the things that truly matter.

[@timdake]

Absolutely wonderful production. Time to re-read "With Wings Like Eagles", to have the ability to enjoy the graphics you provided, in conjunction with the first hand narratives contained in the book. Thank you for mentioning Hugh Dowding... Quite possibly the greatest strategist that few yanks have ever heard of.

[@mikesmyth8330]

You do such a wonderful job of these videos, and your storytelling is a balance between objective and compassionate. Thanks for doing what you do.

[@oscines2170]

I am so addicted to your channel. It’s honestly incredible

[@joseville]

These videos are superbly well made!

[@Perkelenaattori]

I'm so glad I was recommended this channel. Gripping stuff.

[@robbabcock_]

I love the epic music! Great video as well. Such gallant men and women, on both sides. The RAF definitely rose to the challenge and flew into legend.

[@AntiCitizenX]

Loss of aircraft is not as big of a deal as losing the pilots. RAF pilots could presumably bail out and be recovered. Not the Germans.

[@LAH92]

I can feel my British Patriotism rising up inside me after watching this 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@ns307]

Rule Britannia! 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@Bapih]

I felt as patriotic as you did during the whole thing. But wait. I'm a Frenchman. The Operations Room made me cheer for the UK, that's how awesome his videos are.

[@Domokun-Dahu]

So do I but please don't forget our brave Polish, Czech, French, Commonwealth comrades who represented 20% RAF pilots during the BoB

[@Domokun-Dahu]

@@Bapih it's the calm delivery of a ruthlessly efficient response during a daunting situation. A quality that seems sadly lacking in these over-sensationalised times. Je te salue mon ami

[@faunbudweis]

without all the foreign pilots, Poles, Czechs, the French, Britain would have lost, shove your false patriotism somewhere..

[@baystgrp]

As with all your videos, well-researched, terrific detail in the graphics, and highly informative. Subscribed; looking forward to many more. Thank you.

[@TheOperationsRoom]

Awesome, thank you!

[@casparcoaster1936]

Well, as an older Yank (uncle fought in USAA, 29 ID, Ardennes, '44), obessed w/ww2, but, afraid to start computer gaming at my age, I am quite grateful for this video, because, like anyone, I love detail, and this is some of the most lucious (sp?) I have ever consumed, of Battle of Britain. Many thanks. I hope new docus on BoB will license this and include it.

[@AdamMGTF]

I'm guessing you've seen the movie "the battle of Britain". I know it's not a documentary. But it's very very hard to fault from a historical perspective. It has accuracy that you won't find in modern Hollywood films that's for sure (and sadly so.... Ok. Spielberg not withstanding). I recommend w.shierers books. Not focused on the Bob. But he's an American writer who truly understood the 3rd R. The Bob is a great topic. But I also suggest reading about the blitz and above all. Please read "bomber command" by max Hastings. It's super critical of bombing and area bombing. But doesn't distract from the bravery of people who were often too young to be called young 'men'. As well researched a book I have never read. The air war in Europe has often and sadly been boiled down to "battle of Britain yay. Blitz. Bad. British bomb at night. USA join war. USA bomb in day. Long range fighters show up. War is won. It's so much more

[@rictaracing2736]

Had an idea similar to this and I absolutely love that you're doing this! Instant subscribe

[@danclayberger770]

Your animated videos with all their detail are excellent. Concise, direct to the point and enjoyable to watch. A big thumbs up.

[@mrwri]

Almost unimaginable bravery.

[@visionist7]

Being shot down over enemy territory is always a lottery. Aircrew shot down could get lynched by locals - if they survive being shot down in the first place. Very brave

[@nigeljames6017]

Felice Graziano But German aircrews were never “lynched”. That went for other captured P.O.W’s. My Mother was a little girl on a farm and they were assigned a number of Italian prisoners to work on the farm. They slept in the barn and eat with the family. My Mother rememberers them as being fun and so grateful for being out of the war.

[@nigeljames6017]

akjohnny My point is that in the U.K. The were not lynched.

[@mrwri]

@MichaelKingsfordGray uhhhh ok

[@areverlo2633]

I am supposed to be grading papers right now, but instead I keep watching your amazing videos. Keep up the good work!!

[@andrewf2]

The Monty Python bit where Michael Palin bursts into the room where his fellow pilots are reading the papers etc and begins shouting about jerries and kites etc and they all calmly respond "sorry, old boy, could you say that again, please" but it never gets any better until he gives up and reverts to plain english is amusing.

[@roybennett9284]

Bally hun...!

[@bigmanwilfred4955]

I live in poole which has a army base and ive always been proud of our part in the wars 3 of my friends are in air cadets and one kid ik is in sea cadets god save the queen

[@TheOperationsRoom]

I was an air cadet too :)

[@USMCArchAngel03]

Kudos to everyone who spends their free time watching this type of thing instead of cats.

[@infantryattacks]

Your site is outstanding. Thank you for preserving history.

[@paullanfear5762]

This was highly detailed and very well done!

[@billponderosa88]

I really love the gods view and accuracy of the info

[@formulafish1536]

This battle has to be one of the most incredible stories of defence in world history. Outnumbered by as many as 3 to 1, the RAF managed to destroy 6 aircraft for every 1 they lost, and, despite the damage done to the targets, still managed to hold on to everything. The Battle of Britain is one of my favourite battles to read and learn about, because the tales from it are incredible tales of David vs Goliath, and who doesn’t love seeing an underdog win?

[@neil5307]

The British were not underdogs, quite the contrary, but played the underdog to entice the US into the war, to no avail unfortunately.

[@georgefox4982]

The RAF did not destroy 6 aircraft for every 1 lost. What these sites always state are only spitfire and hurricane losses they do not include other fighter type losses or bomber command and coastal command losses . Once these are included the losses for the RAF amounted to approximately 1550 aircraft compared to approximately 1650 aircraft for the Luftwaffe from enemy action. Also the RAF did not have a shortage of pilots only a shortage of experienced fighter pilots in 1940.

[@visionist7]

The British actually had almost every advantage in this battle. You'll never hear about the spectacular bravery of the literally dozen or so Luftwaffe pilots who fly against the immense enemy armada of British & American planes on D Day. Now THAT'S an underdog story. But they didn't win the war so you'll never hear their story.

[@neil5307]

@@visionist7 Little sympathy for the Germans... they happily bombed the UK when they had greater numbers. And most of the Allied air cover at D Day was British, Rather than American.

[@visionist7]

@@neil5307 likewise no sympathy for the Brits who happily bombed and bombed and bombed. War is Hell

[@jnik_3234]

That one Bf109 who took out 4 Hurricanes alone is a badass

[@ctykckcktyvc7558]

And a hurricane took out 5 German aircraft in a single engagement to become the first ace in a flight

[@jawjadawgs1962]

This deserves more than polite "golf" applause. This is more worthy of a hip-hip-hooray... a jolly good job & to do this on top of a nine-to-fiver at that. Work like this is how you managed to exceed your subscriber goals. ;)

[@58biggles]

Just found your channel today. It is my new favourite channel. Absolutely brilliant.

[@TheOperationsRoom]

Thank you!

[@djtaylorutube]

Subbed, you deserve it with the effort and detail you give to these and this is only the second one that i've watched. When I was a child, just after my grandmother passed, my father showed me a map that she had from WW2 era which came with flags and stickers to put on it to track the various fronts. Sadly, it has gone. I had hoped to discover it again when my father passed away but unfortunately not. My grandfather went to Bletchley Park as a clerk but found the work boring so instead joined the commandos. It was only about 3 years ago though during a visit to Bletchley Park with my parents that we understood where he had developed his interest in racing pigeons. There's a great video somewhere on KZbin about the pigeons that were used during WW2.

[@SWR112]

Fantastic and easy to follow👍 Just done York, Duxford, Cosford last weekend, not bad round trip 834 miles from Glasgow.

[@skippythemagnificent8103]

Another fascinating Temporal History Documentary: just fascinating, many thanks : )

[@billyredtail]

This video is an amazing masterpiece, thankyou for this

[@mcnultyssobercompanion6372]

Respect for the brave RAF defenders...

[@RickLowrance]

Great video. The RAF was amazing.

[@Forestowo]

Wow Amazing!!!

[@sancrosanct5070]

Holy shit wait you mean this incredibly made video was two years ago!!!!! I've watched all the recent videos and they are flawless....I see this channel has always been addicted to near perfection content. Keep it up TPR!!

[@davidapacjr1989]

This. Channel. Is. Effin. Awesome! Keep it up!

[@tacitusthehistories5417]

"It's still Mr. Churchill's Channel". Sir Douglas Bader Battle of Britain 1940. That's a interesting story that folks would like.

[@solomonstemplers]

"Baders bus still running"

[@kp4806]

I really enjoy your videos and I appreciate you putting them together! Makes it easy to understand which intern makes it even more intriguing to watch!! Cheers

[@TheOperationsRoom]

Glad you like them!

[@richardpike1387]

The music is perfect. As soon as you hear the first note it makes you go cold. The attention to detail in this and his other vids is amazing.

[@morgan6724]

"five Fairey Swordfish destroyed" Total damage costs: 1 pound and sixpence

[@silgen]

Tell that to the Italian Navy, 21 Swordfish wiped out half their Navy. And tell the Germans while you're on, more Swordfish crippled the Bismarck.

[@Michael.Talbot]

tbh the more i am hearing about that little Swordfish biplane the more i love it, definitely an unsung hero

[@ModelMinutes]

Great video - very informative Edit: Supposedly on this day (by chance) Winston Churchill was in attendance at the Fighter Command bunker in Uxbridge. Upon seeing all the squadron lights on the tote board change to red for engaging the enemy, he turned and said, "what reserves have you". The reply "Reserves sir? We have none". Every combat capable Hurricane and Spitfire was in the air fighting for the survival of the nation . . . . Upon leaving the bunker Churchill remarked to his aide the famous line about "the few", which he wrote down and included in the speech a few days later

[@LuminaUK]

Fascinating to watch - thanks!

[@TheOperationsRoom]

Thanks, more to come!

[@MrTytoalba]

Just found this after searching for information on "Thorney Island", spent today walking round it and came across the stuka pilots graves mentioned in this video buried in the churchyard on the island. Very informative, well done.

[@ahblyat4296]

"Destroy the RAF" *Laughs in Spitfire, Hurricane, 303 squadron,...*

[@BLWard-ht3qw]

Always been a fan of visual learning, so I really like the animation along with the narration, it's both informative and entertaining. Thanks for posting.

[@TheOperationsRoom]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@steve5825]

Excellent. I just wish the backing music was quieter as, from a personal level, it is difficult to hear the commentary.

[@TheOperationsRoom]

Thanks for the feedback. I reduced the music volume in my latest Midway video after similar feedback, did you find that better?

[@steve5825]

The Operations Room Yes indeed. Really interesting and informative videos, great work thank you.

[@TheOperationsRoom]

@@steve5825 Hey no problem and thanks for the feedback. I need it to improve my productions! Was there any other comments you have to improve it?

[@steve5825]

The Operations Room Not from me, I think your productions are first class.

[@williamschroeder3070]

I agree. The narrator has a good voice, music not needed throughout the video.

[@phrankenstein-wrongthinker1994]

So very well done sirs. I've studied WW2 off and on for decades and love this stuff. Subbed.