The RAF Must Fly the Flag: The British Army’s Interpretation of Tactical Air Power During the Battle of France, 1940
Three Fairey Battle bombers of No 218 Squadron over France. K9325 (rear) shot down at St Vith, crew captured, K9324 (center) survived campaign, K9353 (near) shot down over Luxembourg, 12 May, crew killed. The popular perception of tactical air power during the Battle of France is one of Ju 87 ‘Stuka’ aircraft acting with absolute freedom against Allied forces, conducting close air support missions across the battlefield in support of the German Army. [1] This misconception has partly arisen from the emphasis placed upon the role played by the Luftwaffe during the crossing of the Meuse river, and has been seen as applicable to the whole battle during May and June 1940. Recent scholarship by the likes of John Buckley has, however, looked to revise the emphasis that has been placed on the role of the ‘Stuka’ and the decisiveness of its impact in the German success. [2] The German tactics in conducting close support were, and continue to be, misinterpreted. The belief that the few ...