List of Battle of Britain airfields Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids RAF Fighter Command
Battle of Britain Monument, Victoria Embankment, London
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Air Force
Role	Defence of Great Britain
Engagements	Battle of Britain

During the Battle of Britain, the RAF had a special group called RAF Fighter Command. Their job was to protect the skies over the United Kingdom. They divided the country into four main areas, called "Groups". Each Group had several airfields and squadrons of fighter planes.

The four Groups were named 10, 11, 12, and 13. They all played different roles during the Battle of Britain. No. 11 Group saw the most intense fighting. This was because it defended London and the important areas in the south-east of England. Pilots were often moved between Groups. This allowed them to rest after many weeks of fierce battles against enemy planes. Each Group was led by an Air Vice-Marshal. They all worked under Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding, who was the head of Fighter Command.

How RAF Fighter Command Was Set Up
See also

How RAF Fighter Command Was Set Up

RAF Fighter Command used a clear structure to defend Britain.

HQ meant the Group's main office, or headquarters.
SS stood for a Sector Station. These were key airfields where fighter planes were based.
SA meant a Satellite Aerodrome. These were smaller airfields that supported the main Sector Stations.

10 Group: Protecting the West

10 Group was in charge of defending Wales and the West Country. Air Vice-Marshal Sir Quintin Brand was its commander.

Some of the important airfields in 10 Group included:

RAF Box (HQ)
RAF Middle Wallop (SS)
RAF Filton (SS)
RAF Boscombe Down (SA)
RAF Colerne (SA)
RAF Exeter (SA)
RAF Pembrey (SA)
RAF Roborough (SA)
RAF St Eval (SA)
RAF Warmwell (SA)

RAF Warmwell in 1943

11 Group: The Front Line

11 Group protected the south-east of England. This area was very important because it included London. Air Vice-Marshal Keith Park led this Group. It saw the most action during the Battle of Britain.

Key airfields in 11 Group included:

RAF Uxbridge (HQ) - The Battle of Britain Bunker is still there.
RAF Biggin Hill (SS)
RAF Debden (SS)
RAF Hornchurch (SS)
RAF Kenley (SS)
RAF Northolt (SS) - Still an active RAF station today.
RAF North Weald (SS)
RAF Tangmere (SS) - Now home to the Tangmere Military Aviation Museum.
RAF Croydon (SA)
RAF Detling (SA)
RAF Eastchurch (SA)
RAF Ford (SA)
RAF Gosport (SA)
RAF Gravesend (SA)
RAF Hawkinge (SA) - Now has the Kent Battle of Britain Museum.
RAF Hendon (SA) - Home to the RAF Museum.
RNAS Lee-on-Solent (SA)
RAF Lympne (SA)
RAF Manston (SA) - Now Kent International Airport.
RAF Martlesham Heath (SA)
RAF Rochford (SA) - Now London Southend Airport.
RAF Stapleford Tawney (SA)
RAF Thorney Island (SA)
RAF Westhampnett (SA) - Now Goodwood Circuit.
RAF West Malling (SA)

Memorial to the No. 11 Group Operations Room at RAF Uxbridge.
A restored Operations Room at RAF Uxbridge.
Spitfire planes from 485 Squadron at RAF Kenley in 1941.
A Spitfire from 306 (Polish) Torunski Squadron at RAF Northolt in November 1942.