Q 01/05

Britain officially dates the battle from 10 July 1940 until which date?

A) 15 September

B) 31 October

C) 7 September

D) 11 May 1941

Answer · why

B) 31 October

German historians reject that cut-off and treat the battle and the Blitz as one campaign running to May 1941.

Q 02/05

On Battle of Britain Day, how many German aircraft were shot down against 26 RAF losses?

A) 60

B) 85

C) 110

D) 185

Answer · why

A) 60

Two massive waves were repulsed by every aircraft in 11 Group; two days later Hitler postponed the invasion.

Q 03/05

Churchill's speech that gave the battle its name was delivered on which date in 1940?

A) 10 May

B) 4 June

C) 18 June

D) 20 August

Answer · why

C) 18 June

The battle is unusual in being named more than three weeks before the accepted date on which it began.

Q 04/05

What was the codename for the planned German invasion of Britain?

A) Operation Eagle

B) Operation Loge

C) Operation Barbarossa

D) Operation Sea Lion

Answer · why

D) Operation Sea Lion

Directive No. 16 of 16 July ordered preparations; Grand Admiral Raeder kept insisting a crossing could not happen before 1941.

Q 05/05

Who commanded RAF Fighter Command throughout the battle?

A) Hugh Dowding

B) Keith Park

C) Trafford Leigh-Mallory

D) Charles Portal

Answer · why

A) Hugh Dowding

He had opposed the 1930s doctrine that the bomber would always get through, betting on radar and fast monoplane fighters instead.