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The Battle of Britain was a major air campaign fought over southern England in the summer and autumn of 1940. After the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk and the Fall of France, Germany planned to gain air supremacy in preparation for an invasion of Great Britain. The pilots of RAF Fighter Command – made up of men from all over the Commonwealth and occupied Europe – were supported by a vast network on the ground, including mechanics, radar operators and factory workers, amongst many more. Ultimately, the Luftwaffe was defeated by Fighter Command, forcing Hitler to abandon his invasion plans.

Timeline

(Historians have different views on the precise definitions of the phases of the Battle, but the following are broadly agreed.)

Phase 1
10 July – 11 August 1940
The German Air Force (Luftwaffe) began by attacking coastal targets and British shipping operating in the English Channel. RAF Fighter Command was drawn into combat.

Phase 2
12 August – 23 August 1940
The Battle intensified, as the Luftwaffe attacks moved inland, concentrating on airfields and communications centres.

Phase 3
24 August – 6 September 1940
Relentless bombing of industrial targets and airfields in South East England.

Phase 4
7 September – 30 September 1940
Luftwaffe switched to daylight attacks on London. This would be an error of critical importance. The raids had devastating effects on London’s residents, but they also gave Britain’s defences time to recover. After decisive RAF victories on 15 September (which became known as ‘Battle of Britain Day’), the threat of invasion faded. The final daylight attack on London was 30 September but fierce night-time raids continued.

Phase 5
1 October – 31 October 1940
The defences of Fighter Command were no longer seriously threatened but night-time raids over London intensified – this was the start of the Blitz.

Read more about the Battle of Britain – 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain

Here at Biggin Hill Memorial Museum we tell the story of Britain’s most famous fighter station through the personal experiences of those who served there, and the community that supported them.

The museum is situated on the same site as St George’s RAF Chapel of Remembrance, built in 1951 to preserve the legacy of those who served and died at Biggin Hill during the Second World War. The museum safeguards the future of this important building.

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