During the First World War, airplanes went from novelty to crucial component of an advanced military.

Between the wars, aviation technology saw major advances.

So what does that mean for the Second World War?

Welcome to the history of the 20th century. what does that mean for the second world war?

Welcome to the history of the 20th century. Music Episode 3.5. Episode 326, War in the Air

The Second World War has been going on for 10 months now, and the story of the war so far

has been a series of surprises orchestrated by

Germany, beginning with the rapid collapse of Poland, then an unexpected occupation of Denmark and

Norway, then a Western offensive that overran the Netherlands and Belgium with astonishing

rapidity, culminating with the biggest shock of all,

defeat and occupation of France in a matter of weeks.

The capitulation of France left the United Kingdom

as the only European nation left standing against Nazi Germany.

After nearly a year of watching other nations fall like dominoes, observers of the time could be

forgiven for thinking Britain would be defeated and under German occupation by like October.

And in 1940, many people thought exactly that.

On the other hand, there is one crucial and obvious geographical fact that distinguishes Britain

from other European countries. Great Britain is an island. Invading and occupying Britain is a very different proposition

from invading and occupying France. On the other other hand, Germany invaded and occupied

Norway, despite the absence of a land link between the two countries, and despite the opposition of the

Royal Navy. German military operations so far have included clever and innovative use of air power,

including transporting soldiers by air and dropping them on enemy positions by parachute and

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