Why were no battles fought inside England, in WWII?

Question

Did most battles take place in France, Belgium and Germany?
Are these the three major battlefields?

Answer 1

England itself is a series of islands, surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the English Channel, and a series of other waters, many with high cliffs (like the white cliffs of Dover), strong currents, etc. With the technology of the day, the only ways to invade were by boat or by air. The German Army was just beginning to perfect and train its paratroops (Fallschirmjaegers), its air force (Luftwaffe) was also in a stage of growth , and its navy was concentrating more on its submarine warfare (U-boats) than on heavy transports and battleships. Remember, WWII started in 1939, two full years before the US got involved, and Germany started hot and heavy with invasions over several fronts, thinning out its ranks. The British Air Force, Navy, and Army were outmanned, but not undertrained. You can never underestimate a force when you are invading their homeland, and this is what occured to a certain extent. Germany was getting very close to being able to invade the British Isles with land troops when the US and others began to give aid through the "Lend-Lease" act (since the US was officially nuetral at this point, but very loyal to England and France). Through this aid and the determination of the British, no major invasion occured other than heavy bombing (the Blitz).

Answer 2

Well, a long and very destructive and deadly "Battle for Britain" did take place inside England during WWII. The German Luftwaffe bombarded Britain mercilessly for months in 1940-1941. The Germans' purpose for doing this was to gain air superiority over Britain in advance of an all-out invasion. The Germans failed to destory the Royal Air Force and were eventually forced to withdraw and adopt a new strategy - attacking the Soviet Union.

As far as major battle sites in WWII, keep in mind that, more than any other war in history, was a truly global war. Battles were fought in many European countries - Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland, Italy, and others - as well as in the USSR, Japan, China, Indochina (Vietnam, Burma, etc.), North Africa, the United States (Hawaii), and the Pacific Islands, including the Philippines.

Answer 3

as many other posters have said, no land battles on British soil because there is that body of water south and east of England called the English Channel

Not the French Channel

not the Dutch Channel
and certainly not the German Channel

Hitler faced the same problem Phillip of Spain in 1588 and Napoleon in 1802-1814 faced. How to get across in the face of the Royal Navy? No one has yet come up with an answer.

As the First Sea Lord Sir John Jervis said in 1799;
" I do not say they can not come.
I only say they can not come by sea."

A thank you to the RAF and the ships that flew the White Ensign.

Answer 4

Germany did heavily bomb Britain, but they never were able to send ground troops. The Royal Air Force did a GREAT job keeping the Germans busy in the sky. Also, the Axis had the other allies to deal with (the United States and Russia were their main concerns). Germany did not have the manpower or the strength to make a long-lasting British land invasion. On you second question, there were battles fought in many other countries. Russia, Africa, Italy, Poland, etc.

Answer 5

They fought on different fronts. The leaders met regularly through the war. D-day was very much a combined operation of the western allies with the empire, Canada, Anzac etc and free forces from occupied Europe. But generally the forces fought independently though they shared intelligence as necessary. Note that USSR was not at war with Japan until the final days. Britons do understand the huge sacrifice the Soviets made - their losses at 25 million people was something like 100 times the British losses.

Answer 6

Although there have been several unsuccessful incursions, England has never been invaded since 1066. Thank the navy in 1588. Thank the RAF in 1940.

Although there were fierce battles in the countries you mention, Russia was the scene of the largest and most devastating battles.

Answer 7

Technically, even though it really wasn't a single battle, the Battle of Britain did occur over British soil. They weren't invaded & it was more of a series of altercations than a single battle but according to the books here was a battle in Britain.

Answer 8

No battles were fought in England because it is an island and was being defended by the best navy in that time..the Germans did bombard them, though.
The major fronts were: west Europe, east Europe, Russia, Africa and the far East

Answer 9

The Germans made the whole island a battlefield when they waged their blitzkrieg campaign in the early 40s.

Answer 10

no london and the midlands were badly bombed but as they never landed on our shores no battles were fought