10-July–11 August:Kanalkamp,("the Channel battles")
The Kanalkampf comprised a series of running fights
over convoys in the English Channel and occasional
attacks on the convoys by Stuka dive-bombers.
It was launched partly because Kesselring and
Sperrle were not sure about what else to do, and partly
because it gave German aircrews some training and a
chance to probe the British defences.
In general, these battles off the coast tended to
favour the Germans, whose bomber escorts massively
outnumbered the convoy patrols. The need for constant
patrols over the convoys put a severe strain on RAF
pilots and machines, wasting fuel, engine hours and
exhausting the pilots, but eventually the number of
ship sinkings became so great the British Admiralty
cancelled all further convoys through the Channel.
However, these early combat encounters provided
both sides with experience. They also gave the first
indications some of the aircraft, such as the Defiant
and Bf 110, were not up to the intense dog-fighting
that would characterise the battle.
Map:
bob09
fields- Axis
a-46
a-48
planes
109E-4
110C
Ju87
fields- Allies
a-11
a-15
a-16
planes
Hurri I
Spit I
Spit V
