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WWII On This Day: October 12

What happened on October 12 during World War II? This date brings together 1 event from 1940, with period photographs and links to the full operations documented across WW2 Theatres.

1940
A formation of Heinkel He 111s in the Battle of Britain
Imperial War Museums, MH6547 · Public domain · Source
The Battle of Britain

The invasion is deferred beyond 1940

By October the invasion project had been pushed beyond the practical 1940 season. Hitler directed that preparations should continue only in a form that could preserve the appearance of a threat while the main air effort increasingly shifted toward bombing at night. The Luftwaffe still mounted daylight fighter and fighter-bomber operations. The change was one of method and emphasis rather than an abrupt end to combat over Britain. The campaign was moving into a different strategic problem. Germany could bomb Britain without having gained the level of daylight air superiority…

Continue in The Battle of Britain →