Eagle Day

Eagle Day (German: Adlertag) was the code name given by the German Luftwaffe to the opening day of Unternehmen Adlerangriff ("Operation Eagle Attack"), the air campaign intended to destroy the British Royal Air Force (RAF) in Southern England in preparation for Operation Sea Lion, the planned German invasion of Britain during World War II.

The date for Eagle Day was repeatedly postponed due to weather conditions and intelligence considerations. It was eventually set for 13 August 1940. The plan involved waves of German bombers and fighter escorts attacking RAF airfields, radar stations, and other strategic targets.

While the Luftwaffe inflicted damage on some RAF facilities, the operation was not as successful as the Germans had hoped. The RAF Fighter Command, though heavily pressured, was not crippled, and its infrastructure and aircraft production capacity remained largely intact. Key radar installations, while damaged, were quickly repaired and put back into service. Luftwaffe losses were also significant.

Eagle Day marked the beginning of the most intense phase of the Battle of Britain, with heavy fighting continuing throughout August and September. The failure of the Luftwaffe to achieve air superiority over Britain ultimately led to the cancellation of Operation Sea Lion.