List of Battle of Britain airfields

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]

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.

• 
  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.

• 
  Memorial to the No. 11 Group Operations Room, with the Royal Air Force Ensign, at RAF Uxbridge
• 
  Restored Operations Room at RAF Uxbridge
• 
  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

12 Group

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

13 Group

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

See also

• Battle of Britain RAF squadrons
• List of Royal Air Force stations
• List of former Royal Air Force stations
• RAF Fighter Command Order of Battle 1940
• Luftwaffe Order of Battle August 1940

References

Notes

a ^{^} From 1915 - 1918 Hillingdon House (the estate of which became RAF Uxbridge) was used as a convalescence home for Canadian troops.

b ^{^} Opened as a wireless testing station. Flying commenced in 1918. Source: Biggin Hill Airport Website

c ^{^} Some underground buildings still exist, but are inaccessible. Source: Subterrannea Britannica

Citations

External links

• Interactive map of operational airfields with squadrons and aircraft type displayeddead link]
• Article about the Battle of Britain from North Weald Airfield History

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