[Crumpp]

Let’s do some rudimentary statistics based of the numbers presented in this thread:

RAF, using their figure for comparative burden of operations:

10 Group – 7 squadrons @ 22 A/C each

11 Group – 18 squadrons @ 22A/C each

12 Group – 9 Squadrons @ 22 A/C each

We will just pretend that 13 Group isn’t doing anything operationally despite RAF records contradicting this assumption.

34 Squadrons * 22 A/C each = 748 Single Engine Fighters

According to the RAF’s own paperwork, they were able to maintain extremely high operational strength of their squadrons due to the efforts of the CRO..

We will just use 80% although the Wastage report says this was higher.

748 A/C * .8 = 598 A/C available to combat the Luftwaffe.

Luftwaffe figures:

Luftwaffe Order of Battle--August 1940
Establishment Strength Serviceability
Bombers 1,569 1,481 998
Dive-bombers 348 327 261
Single-engine fighters 1,011 934 805
Twin-engine fighters 301 289 224
Reconnaissance 246 195 151
Ground attack 40 39 31
Coastal 94 93 80
Total 3,609 3,358 2,550

The Luftwaffe maintained a far lower serviceability rate hovering around 50%.

1011 Single Engine Fighters * .5 = 505 SE fighters.

The Luftwaffe had to maintain a serviceability rate at a minimum of 59% to match the RAF numbers. There is no source that shows the Luftwaffe was able to approach anything close to a 60% serviceability rate during the battle.

There is little doubt that as the RAF’s documentation says, the RAF started the battle with numerical parity in Single Engines fighters and quickly moved to numerical superiority.

All the best,

Crumpp