Michael is joined by Dr John Fahey, World War 2 historian & strategic bombing specialist / author of ‘Traitors and Spies’, regarding ‘The Blitz’, the German bombing campaign against the United Kingdom that lasted from 7th September 1940 – 11th May 1941 (8 months, 5 days) during WW2.

The term was first used by the British press and originated from the term “Blitzkrieg”, the German word for ‘lightning war’.

By September 1940, the Luftwaffe had lost the Battle of Britain and the German air fleets (Luftflotten) were ordered to attack London, to draw RAF Fighter Command into a battle of annihilation.

Germany conducted mass air attacks against industrial targets, towns, and cities, beginning with raids on London towards the end of the Battle of Britain, which was the battle for daylight air superiority between the Luftwaffe and the Royal Air Force over the United Kingdom.

Adolf Hitler and Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring, commander-in-chief of the Luftwaffe, ordered the new policy on 6 September 1940. From 7 September 1940, London was systematically bombed by the Luftwaffe for 56 of the following 57 days and nights… Most notable was a large daylight attack against London on 15th September.

The Luftwaffe gradually decreased daylight operations in favour of night attacks to evade attack by the RAF, and the Blitz became a night bombing campaign after October 1940.

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