Britain, Battle of

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World War II air battle between German and British air forces over Britain from 10 July to 31 October 1940. The height of the battle occurred 30–31 August.

At the outset the Germans had the advantage because they had seized airfields in the Netherlands, Belgium, and France, which were basically safe from attack and from which southeast England was within easy range. On 1 August 1940 the Luftwaffe had about 2,800 aircraft in France, Belgium, Holland, and Norway, outnumbering the RAF by four to one. The Battle of Britain had been intended as a preliminary to the German invasion plan Seelöwe (Sea Lion), which Hitler indefinitely postponed on 17 September and abandoned on 10 October, choosing instead to invade the USSR.

The flag uses the pan-Arab colours. The design may have been inspired by the pre-1958 Iraqi flag. Effective date: 24 November 1961. >>