18th August 1940: “The Hardest Day” of the Battle of Britain during the Second World War

**Scott Allsop** (0:00)
On the 18th of August 1940, the Battle of Britain reached one of its most intense phasers on what became known as the hardest day. Welcome to HistoryPod.
Following the fall of France in June 1940, Adolf Hitler authorised preparations for Operation Sea Lion to invade the United Kingdom. The invasion depended upon first defeating the RAF, so throughout July and August the Luftwaffe concentrated attacks on shipping, radar stations and RAF airfields in southern England in an effort to destroy fighter command. British air defence relied upon an integrated system of radar, ground observers and centralised command, enabling fighter squadrons to respond rapidly to incoming raids. Known as the Battle of Britain, the campaign reached one of its most intense phases on 18 August, when the Luftwaffe launched attacks against several RAF airfields. German dive bombers, escorted by fighters, attempted to damage runways, hangars and maintenance facilities, while RAF squadrons intercepted the raids in repeated dogfights. Several airfields sustained significant damage, but most remained operational despite the attacks.
Known as the hardest day, the Luftwaffe lost more than 60 aircraft, while the RAF lost around 30 fighters, together with experienced pilots, whose replacement was increasingly difficult. Fighter command itself suffered serious damage, but its command structure and radar network remained intact. This quickly led German strategy to shift towards the large scale bombing of London and other cities. The events of the 18th August therefore marked a turning point in the Battle of Britain, demonstrating the resilience of Britain's air defence system, but contributing to Germany's decision to begin the Blitz.