Battle_of_Britain_airfields

List of Battle of Britain airfields

List of Battle of Britain airfields

Airfields used by the Royal Air Force in 1940.

During the Battle of Britain, the defence of the UK's airspace was divided up within RAF Fighter Command into four Groups, each comprising several airfields and squadrons.[1]

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The groups involved, 10, 11, 12 and 13, saw very different levels of activity during the battle. No. 11 Group, responsible for the defence of London and the south-east saw the heaviest fighting, and pilots were often rotated among the groups to allow them to rest and recuperate after several weeks of fierce contact with the enemy. Each group was commanded by an Air Vice-Marshal, who served under the head of Fighter Command during the battle, Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding.

Organisational structure

Key:

  • HQ = Group headquarters
  • SS = Sector station
  • SA = Satellite aerodrome


10 Group

10 Group defended Wales and the West Country and was commanded by Air Vice-Marshal Sir Quintin Brand.

More information Station name, BoB role ...
  • RAF Warmwell in 1943
    RAF Warmwell in 1943


11 Group

11 Group covered the southeast of England and the critical approaches to London and was commanded by Air Vice-Marshal Keith Park.

More information Station name, BoB role ...
  • Memorial to the No. 11 Group Operations Room, with the Royal Air Force Ensign, at RAF Uxbridge
    Memorial to the No. 11 Group Operations Room, with the Royal Air Force Ensign, at RAF Uxbridge
  • Restored Operations Room at RAF Uxbridge
    Restored Operations Room at RAF Uxbridge
  • Line up of 485 Squadron 'Subscription' Spitfire Mk. Vbs at RAF Kenley in 1941
    Line up of 485 Squadron 'Subscription' Spitfire Mk. Vbs at RAF Kenley in 1941
  • BS456 UZ-Z of 306 (Polish) Torunski Squadron, RAF Northolt, November 1942
    BS456 UZ-Z of 306 (Polish) Torunski Squadron, RAF Northolt, November 1942


12 Group

12 Group defended the Midlands and East Anglia and was led by Air Vice-Marshal Trafford Leigh-Mallory.

More information Station name, BoB role ...


13 Group

13 Group covered the north of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland and was commanded by Air Vice-Marshal Richard Saul.

More information Station name, BoB role ...

See also

Notes

  1. From 1915–1918 Hillingdon House (the estate of which became RAF Uxbridge) was used as a convalescence home for Canadian troops
  2. Opened as a wireless testing station. Flying commenced in 1918.[2]
  3. Some underground buildings still exist, but are inaccessible. [3]

References

  1. [1]
    "RAF Fighter Command Stations of the Battle of Britain". Royal Air Force. 2004. Archived from the original on 6 August 2011. Retrieved 31 October 2011.
  2. [2]
    Biggin Hill Airport Website
  3. [3]
    Subterrannea Britannica
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