11 Group Airfields

RAF Uxbridge - Group Headquarters

Sector Airfields: Biggin Hill • Debden • Hornchurch • Kenley • Northolt • North Weald • Tangmere

Fighter Airfields: Croydon • Detling • Eastchurch • Ford • Gosport • Gravesend • Hawkinge • Hendon • Lee on Solent • Lympne • Manston • Martlesham • Rochford • Stapleford Tawney • Thorney Island • Westhampnett • West Malling

Group Headquarters

11 Group Headquarters was based at RAF Uxbridge, the administrative centre. Also within the physical area of 11 Group and close to Uxbridge is RAF Bentley Priory, the Headquarters of Fighter Command during the Battle. The Battle of Britain Ops. Room at RAF Uxbridge has now been fully restored as a private museum. The Ops. Room was closed in 1958 and locked up until the mid 1970's when it was restored to its current state. Very little restoration was required.
Here is the place where much of the Battle of Britain was controlled from. 11 Group Fighter Command was responsible for the area over London and down to the South coast, where much of the German activity was centred during those months of 1940 where the Luftwaffe tried to defeat the RAF as a prelude to invasion.

The operations room at Uxbridge exists today as it did on 15th September 1940, the day it was visited by Winston Churchill to witness the conduct of the Battle of Britain.
The operations room also played a major role during the D-Day landings. The room, actually a series of rooms, featured in the film "Battle of Britain" and in TV productions such as "The Winds of War" and BBC documentaries "War Walks" and "Science at War".

Its Bunker was built between 1936 and 1939 in time for the start of World War Two. The hole was dug then four layers of ash felt were laid in before the bunker was built. When you are sitting in the plotting room there is 60 ft of soil above you so the bunker is quite deep for a war time bunker. Because the bunker was built before the invention of nuclear weapons the bunker is only gas tight and there is not blast doors.

Visitors can see the plotting room which houses the large table map displaying both friendly and hostile plots together with the illuminated tote board showing the readiness state and deployment of the individual fighter squadrons. The plotting room is overlooked by glass fronted control rooms which house an interesting display of memorabilia including models, weapons, uniforms, photographs, documents, prints and other wartime artifacts.There is also a briefing room where visitors are normally shown achieve film footage via a large screen monitor. Cameras are permitted in the operations room and the memorial sited adjacent to the building entrance.

The Battle of Britain Operations Room RAF Uxbridge:
To book your visit call Hazel 01895 815400 (morning calls preferred) or email at: 11gpcurator@btconnect.com

Sector Airfields

RAF BIGGIN HILL Top

When the Royal Air Force was formed in 1918, the large field at Cudham Lodge had been transformed into RAF Biggin Hill.
Over the next 20 years the airfield developed into one of the country’s foremost air bases, playing a crucial role in defending the capital during the Battle of Britain in 1940.

In 1958 the station ceased to be an active base and became primarily a civil airfield, taken over by Bromley Council in 1973, the RAF finally moving out in 1992. A new passenger terminal now allows large passenger charter planes to land and it has been renamed London Biggin Hill Airport.

RAF Biggin Hill was home to the Biggin Hill Sector Operations Room and Staff, and the following Squadrons during the Battle:

No 32 Squadron from 4th June 1940
No 79 Squadron from 5th June 1940
No 610 Squadron from 2nd July 1940
No 79 Squadron from 27th August 1940
No 72 Squadron from 31st August 1940
No 92 Squadron from 8th September 1940
No 141 Squadron from 13th September to 18 September 1940
No 72 Squadron from 14th September 1940
No 74 Squadron from 15th October 1940

RAF DEBDEN Top

RAF Debden, situated about 2 miles south-east of Saffron Walden, opened on 22nd April 1937 with plans to operate three fighter squadrons. It had two grass runways, and these were concreted in 1940. It had a 1937 Pre-War Fort-type Tower.In 1939 it was a sector airfield in 12 Group but during the height of the Battle of Britain it was transferred to 11 Group.
The airfield was attacked by the Luftwaffe several times in August, during the Battle of Britain. The attack on 26th caused 5 fatalities and substantial damage to many buildings, and 100 bombs were dropped onto Debden during a large scale attack on 31st, leaving 3 more dead, further damage to buildings, and Hurricane aircraft destroyed on the ground.

From 1942 Debden became home to Eagle squadrons 71, 121, and 133 which later became 334th, 335th and 226th Fighter Squadrons of the USAAF 4th Fighter Group flying P-47 Thunderbolts and P-51 Mustangs. It ended of the war as the highest scoring U.S. Fighter Group with 583 air kills.

In 1944, 616 squadron moved here with Meteors. From 1946 Debden was the diversion airfield for Duxford, and later was an RAF Police Depot, then an army barracks.
The airfield closed in 1975.

RAF Debden was home to the Debden Sector Operations Room and Staff, and the following Squadrons during the Battle:

No 85 Squadron from 22rd May 1940
No 17 Squadron from 19th June 1940
No 257 Squadron from 15th August 1940
No 601 Squadron from 19th August 1940
No 111 Squadron from 19th August 1940
No 17 Squadron from 2nd September 1940
No 25 Squadron from 8th October 1940

RAF HORNCHURCH Top

The site, which was once, one of the most famous airfields during the Battle of Britain is now home to Hornchurch Country Park. The airfield can trace its origins back to 1915 when the small and rather primitive landing ground was known as Sutton’s Farm. The small site was purchased by the air ministry along with some adjacent land and opened as an RAF aerodrome on 1st April 1928. The first squadron to use the airfield was No 111, which were equipped with Armstrong Whitworth Siskin III’s in January 1929 the airfield became officially known as RAF Hornchurch. Hornchurch soon gained a satellite airfield at Rochford and, in November 1939 another at Manston; both airfields were controlled from Hornchurch.

During 1940 and especially from May onwards a number of squadrons arrived at Hornchurch to relive the hard pressed existing squadrons who could be rested. Like other sector airfields Hornchurch came under attack from the Luftwaffe. The first raid came in the afternoon of 24th August, which cut the telephone lines and left 85 craters. By the end of 1940 the airfield had sustained another 13 bombing raids. By the end of September 1940 the various squadrons that had operated in the Hornchurch sector during the Battle of Britain had claimed 411 enemy aircraft destroyed with another 235 as probable victories. 54 squadron finally left Hornchurch in November 1941; they had served at the airfield longer than any other fighter squadron.

The Hornchurch Country Park now dominates the site of the former airfield.

RAF Hornchurch was home to the Hornchurch Sector Operations Room and Staff, and the following Squadrons during the Battle:

No 65 Squadron from 5th June 1940
No 74 Squadron from 25th June 1940
No 54 Squadron from 24th July 1940
No 41 Squadron from 26th July 1940
No 54 Squadron from 8th August 1940
No 266 Squadron from 14th August 1940
No 600 Squadron from 22nd August 1940
No 264 Squadron from 22nd August 1940
No 603 Squadron from 27th August 1940
No 41 Squadron from 3rd September 1940

RAF KENLEY Top

RAF Kenley was created under the 'Defence of the Realm' Act in 1917 and was established by the Royal Flying Corps as No 7 Acceptance Park where aircraft were made ready for service in France. Fighter squadrons were using the airfield by 1918, the end of the war.
Work was completed on the hangars in 1919 for the Handley page and Vickers Vimmy long-range bombers.
After the war ended the airfield was retained for the new RAF instead of being handed back to its former use. In 1924 the airfield had its own commander and was home to two squadrons.
Over the next two years extensive work was carried out with the construction of the Headquarters and Officers Mess. RAF Kenley was 'drafted in' by Dowding as a Sector Station within 11 Group and in the front line at the outbreak of World War Two.
By December 1940 two 800-foot concrete runways were laid as well as a perimeter track.
Despite being a target for German bombers and fighters the airfield was in continuous operation during the Battle of Britain.
The base remained operational until 1959 when Fighter Command left, but before this, the airfield was used for the films "Angels One-Five" in 1953 and and "Reach for the Sky", made in 1956.

RAF Kenley was home to the Kenley Sector Operations Room and Staff, and the following Squadrons during the Battle:

No 615 Squadron from 20th May 1940
No 616 Squadron from 19th August 1940
No 253 Squadron from 29th August 1940
No 66 Squadron from 3rd September 1940
No 501 Squadron from 10th September 1940
No 253 Squadron from 8th May 1940

RAF NORTHOLT Top

Northolt covered the area to the west and north-west of London. The airfield was developed in 1915/16 for the Royal Flying Corps, and was essentially used as a training aerodrome for the First World War. It had three training squadrons with over fifty aircraft by 1917.
By the time the Second World War broke out, the airfield had two 800-foot concrete runways. It was home to the Hurricanes of Nos. 1 and 257 squadrons as the Battle of Britain started. Group Captain Stanley Vincent was twice the Station Commander, and at the age of 43, was one of the oldest men to fly into the battle.
Northolt was also home to 303 squadron, which was made up of Polish personnel evacuated from France.
The airfield is still in use today.

RAF Northolt was home to the Northolt Sector Operations Room and Staff, and the following Squadrons during the Battle:

No 609 Squadron from 19th May 1940
No 257 Squadron from 4th July 1940
No 303 Squadron from 22nd July 1940
No 43 Squadron from 23rd July 1940 to 1 August 1940
No 401 Squadron RCAF from Mid-August 1940
No 615 Squadron from 10th October 1940
No 302 Squadron from 11th October 1940

RAF NORTH WEALD Top

North Wealds history with service flying dates from 1916 when a small airfield to the west of the village was established by the Royal Flying Corps for their home defence force. By the middle 1920’s its potential was recognised and the airfield was bought back to life with moderate expansion. Reconstruction work began in 1926 and on the 27th September 1927 the new station (RAF North Weald) opened. During the 1930’s moderisation work continued to bring it up to improved service standards. By 1939 the airfield covered some 400 acres and was ‘E’ sector station in No 11 Group. The airfield now supported two concrete runways 933 and 923 yards long, both 50ft wide, the airfield was provided with two C type and 8 blister hangers as well as night

landing facilities. Like all fighter airfields, North Weald suffered its fair share of bombings. On 3rd September, the operations room suffered a direct hit and subsequent was moved to Blake Hall near Bobbingworth and remained there for the rest of the war. RAF North Weald closed in 1964.

RAF North Weald was home to the North Weald Sector Operations Room and Staff, and the following Squadrons during the Battle:

No 151 Squadron from 20th May 1940
No 56 Squadron from 4t June 1940
No 25 Squadron from 1st September 1940
No 249 Squadron from 1st September 1940
No 257 Squadron from 8th October 1940

RAF TANGMERE Top

RAF Tangmere, situated 3 miles north-east of Chichester, was the most western area for which 11 Group were responsible. The airfield opened in 1918, and was a Coastal Area unit in 1925. It was became an Operational Fighter Sector Airfield from September 1939, and when the Battle of Britain began, was home to four Hurricane squadrons.

When the Luftwaffe targetted the airfields as a pre-cursor to invasion, Tangmere was devastated, with two hangars destroyed and the remaining three badly damaged. Several aircraft on the ground were destroyed or damaged, including Blenheims and Hurricanes. Despite the damage, Tangmere remained operastional although the operations room had to be moved.
Tangmere was later home to the USAAF.
The airfield closed in 1970.

RAF Tangmere was home to the Tangmere Sector Operations Room and Staff, and the following Squadrons during the Battle:

No 145 Squadron from 10th May 1940
No 43 Squadron from 31st May 1940
No 601 Squadron from 17th June 1940
No 266 Squadron from 9th August 1940
No 17 Squadron from 19th August 1940
No 607 Squadron from 1st September 1940
No 601 Squadron from 2nd September 1940
No 213 Squadron from 7th September 1940
No 145 Squadron from 9th October 1940

Fighter Airfields

RAF CROYDON Top

This was first known as Beddington Aerodrome, and, from 1916 to 1919, was originally two airfields, Beddington and Waddon, and were used during WW1 as a RFC Home Defence and later as a training airfield.
In 1920, it became known as Croydon Aerodrome and was London's first International Airport.
Imperial Airways formed here from Independant Airlines on 1/4/24. From the outbreak of World War Two, it was used as a Fighter Command station until full transfer to the Transport Command.

In the summer of 1919, Winston Churchill crashed at Beddington after taking off for an evening flight. Luckily he was not hurt, but it can be pondered on what course would the war have taken if he had died.

RAF Croydon was home to the following Squadrons during the Battle:

No 111 Squadron from 4th June 1940
No 501 Squadron from 21st June 1940
No 401 Squadron RCAF from July 1940
No 85 Squadron from 19th August 1940
No 72 Squadron from 1st September 1940
No 111 Squadron from 3rd September 1940
No 605 Squadron from 7th September 1940

RAF DETLING Top

Detling was a former First World War airfield, and was reopened and underwent extension in 1938, though still with the single grass runway, as the Second World War loomed. The airfield was not deemed to be of significant interest to the enemy as it was not a fighter station per se, so the shock-wave was hard felt when it was bombed out of recognition by Junkers 87 Stuka dive-bombers of the Luftwaffe on 13th August 1940. The runway was hit along with several shelters and bowsers, killing 67 and injuring many more. Twenty-two aircraft were destroyed on the ground. Even the semi-sunken Operations Room received a direct hit. As the Battle of Britain raged on, repairs were carried out and the airfield was able to send and receive aircraft to protect the convoys in the channel.

At the end of August 1940, the Luftwaffe attacked again after blinding the RAF by targetting the Radar Stations, and it was only the Observer Corps that were able to give early warnings of raids.
Towards the end of the war, it was realised that Detling was unable to accept many types of the heavier aircraft and was used mainly for instructional purposes. After the war, a glider school used the airfield, and much of the land was returned to the original owners.

Detling was one of the 11 Group satellite airfields used by units on a day-to-day basis as required, often flights or squadrons would detach to such an airfield in the morning and return to their main operating and maintenance base in the evening.

The former airfield is now the Kent County Showground.

RAF EASTCHURCH Top

This was a Coastal Command airfield on the Isle of Sheppey. It was one of the oldest sites in British Aviation history and was first used in 1909. It was developed into a large air station for the Royal Naval service during the First World War, and in the Second World War carried out raids on German shipping and the invasion barges in occupied ports across the Channel.

On 13th August, 1949, an enemy bombing raid killed 14, wounded 26, and caused considerable damage to station buildings. The airfield suffered badly during 1940 from heavy attacks by German bombers, but it was never put out of action.

After the war, the airfield was transferred to the Prison Commissioners. Stanford Hill prison now occupies the site.

RAF Eastchurch was home to the following Squadrons during the Battle:

No 266 Squadron from 12th August 1940

RAF FORD Top

The airfield was 2 miles west of Littlehampton. It was developed in 1917 and transferred to the Admiralty in 1939 and commissioned as HMS Peregrine. It was a Royal Navy airfield during most of the Battle of Britain, and was one of the last airfields to be transferred to 11 Group towards the end of the battle. The Germans believed that it was one of 11 Group's main fighter bases (It was actually one of the last airfields to be transferred to 11 Group towards the end of the battle), and sent in thirty Ju87s to attack it. The airfield, being without fighter protection, suffered badly, losing several aircraft on the ground, and taking hits on the hangars, fuel installations and domestic buildings. 28 personnel were killed and dozens more wounded.

Spitfires of 602 Squadron from nearby Westhampnett moved in to intercept the raiders, and brought three down before they, in turn, were attacked by the escorting Bf109s.
The airfield was returned to the Admiralty at the end of the war, becomng HMS Peregrine again. It was closed in 1958.

RAF Ford was home to the following Squadrons during the Battle:

No 23 Squadron from 12th September 1940

RAF GOSPORT Top

Gosport was, along with Lee-on-Solent, one of the Royal Navy's airfields used in the defence of Southampton and Portsmouth. Royal Navy fighters were permanently based there, and occasionally RAF units were detached, using the airfield in the same way as a satellite or relief landing ground .

RAF GRAVESEND Top

As the Second World War broke out, Gravesend was a satellite airfield for Biggin Hill. Despite being a grass airfield, the Air Ministry deemed Gravesend so important it was to have two decoy airfield sites (one at Cliffe Marshes, the other at Luddesdown) in order to deceive the German intelligence and encourage the Luftwaffe to strike elsewhere. The decoy airfields were furnished with dummy aircraft and buildings and Luddesdown was even fitted with runway lighting.
By 1940/41 the airfield had become a self-accounting station and further domestic and operational buildings were erected. In 1942 Gravesend played host to Eagle squadrons, and the following year the runways were extended to accomodate the Hawker Typhoon aircraft

August 1944 saw the first of three Mosquito squadrons arrive at Gravesend; their flights mainly being night sorties in preparation for D-Day.
By the end of the war the airfield was placed under Care and Maintenence until 1956, where, apart from the occasional gliding, no other flying took place. The airfield was sold for a huge housing development the same year.

RAF Gravesend was home to the following Squadrons during the Battle:

No 610 Squadron from 26th May 1940
No 604 Squadron from 3rd July 1940
No 501 Squadron from 25th July 1940
No 66 Squadron from 11th September 1940

RAF HAWKINGE Top

The airfield itself was the nearest Royal Air Force station to enemy-occupied France and only some ten minutes flying time away from the Luftwaffe fighter airfields in the Pas-de-Calais, in addition to which the airfield and surrounding district was subjected to long range cross-Channel shelling from the German shore batteries stationed along the French coast. Not for nothing was the Folkestone area known as "Hellfire Corner". Despite the passing years today's visitor can still savour the atmosphere of the airfield's past with the landmarks and buildings that remain, acting as points of reference, whilst beyond can be seen the English Channel and the French coast.

Home of the Kent Battle of Britain Museum.

RAF Hawkinge was home to the following Squadrons during the Battle:

No 79 Squadron from 2nd July 1940

RAF HENDON Top

RAF Hendon was taken over by the Admiralty and became a Royal Naval Air Station in 1914, and in 1927 the site became an operational RAF Station. Hendon remained a major airfield throughout both World Wars and afterwards it acquired an international reputation as a centre of aviation, through the staging of spectacular aerial pageants. On 4th November 1957 the airport ceased operations and entered a gradual decline. Eventually, the airfield was swallowed up by the concrete jungle of modern housing, with the Grahame Park Estate covering the majority of the site, and on 15th November 1972, the RAF Museum on Grahame Park Way was officially opened by H.M. Queen Elizabeth II. The museum occupies two of the original WWI Royal Naval Air Service hangars.

In 1978, The Battle of Britain Hall was opened, followed by the Bomber Command Hall in 1984. The Queen Mother was present at a ceremony to mark the official closure of the Hendon Aerodrome on 1st April 1987.

RAF Hendon was home to the following Squadrons during the Battle:

No 257 Squadron from 17th May 1940
No 504 Squadron from 5th September 1940

RAF LEE ON SOLENT Top

The 1930s were the heyday of Lee-on-Solent, as was illustrated by the further expansion of the aerodrome. In the 1930s, Lee on Solent continued to increase in importance as a Floatplane Training Flight, which in February 1930 the Flight was transferred to the Admiralty. A large rebuilding programme commenced in the 1930s with grand buildings reflecting the importance of Lee as the Coastal Area Headquarters, which later expanded to become RAF Coastal Command.
Lee on Solent was, along with Gosport, one of the Royal Navy's airfields used in the defence of Southampton and Portsmouth. Royal Navy fighters were permanently based there, and occasionally RAF units were detached, using the airfield in the same way as a satellite or relief landing ground.

RAF LYMPNE Top

Lympne airfield was approximately 7 miles west of Folkestone, and was one of the 11 Group satellite airfields used by units on a day-to-day basis as required, often flights or squadrons would detach to such an airfield in the morning and return to their main operating and maintenance base in the evening. Due to the extreme forward position of this site it was under constant threat of attack and was not permanently manned during the Battle by any one Squadron.

The area is now an Industrial Park.

RAF MANSTON Top

Manston started its Aviation days as a Royal Naval Station in 1916, with a base at Westgate Bay for seaplanes. The early airfield was on the area now occupied by the passenger terminal. By 1917 Manston airfield had grown to include four underground hangars, its own railway line to Birchington, a power station to generate electricity, barracks for 3,000 men and even an indoor swimming pool.
After WW1, training of airmen in airframe maintenance and engine repairs was taught in the School of Technical Training.
1940 and WW2 brought the Battle of Britain. Barnes Wallis arrived in 1943 to test his bouncing bomb at nearby Reculver, before the Dam busters carried out their famous raid. The first jet fighters arrived at Manston, to attack the flying bombs (1944's version of the cruise missile).

The longest and widest runway in Southern England was built to allow badly damaged aircraft returning from Europe a safe haven, with the Fido fog dispersal system to allow landings in any weather.
In 1950 the Americans arrived and stayed for eight years.
In 1960 Manston returned to the RAF as a major diversionary airfield for aircraft in trouble. in 1999, the closure of RAF Manston was announced, so after 80 years the RAF were leaving. The civil part of the airport was to continue, and offers for the remainder were sought. Manston closed on the 31 March 1999, and is now a civilian airport called London Manston.

RAF Manston was home to the following Squadrons during the Battle:

No 604 Squadron from 15th May 1940
No 600 Squadron from 20th June 1940

RAF MARTLESHAM Top

Martlesham Heath is approximately 3 miles east of Ipswich. It was developed as the home for the Aeroplane Experimental Unit and first opened in early 1917. It remained an experimental establishment between the wars, and was involved in the testing of the RAF's newest types of aircraft including the Hurricane and the Spitfire. As soon as the Second World War began, it was a forward operating airfield, mainly used by Debden during the war. 264 Defiant Squadron was the first resident, but made way for the Blenheims of 25 Squadron in its night fighter role.
After the war, Martlesham once again became an experimental establishment. Its Control Tower is now a Museum, but the airfield is gone.

RAF Martlesham was home to the following Squadrons during the Battle:

No 25 Squadron from 19th June 1940
No 257 Squadron from 5th September 1940
No 17 Squadron from 8th October 1940

RAF ROCHFORD Top

RAF Rochford saw some service in the later part of WWI when several squadrons were based there to defend against attacks on London and the Eastern Counties. During August 1939 the Air ministry requisitioned all such commercial airfields. The airfield was to become known as RAF Rochford and placed in No 11 Group of Fighter Command as a satellite field to RAF Hornchurch. The first squadron to arrive was No 54 squadron with its Spitfires. During the Battle of Britain, and in particular, August and September 1940 various squadrons from both Hornchurch and North Weald used Rochford as an advance base.
On 18th June 1940, Rochford entered the History Record books when Flt. Lt. 'Sailor' Malan, of 74 Sqn became the first single seat pilot to shoot down an enemy aircraft at night. Seven days later, he became the first pilot to down two aircraft in one night.

Two Dornier DO 17z bombers were shot down during 1940 and both were forced to belly land at Rochford; one on 26th August, the other on 2nd September.

On 1st of May 1941, the airfield was transferred to North Weald Sector, and became a forward offensive fighter base. On 11th May, a raid by ME 109s on the airfield met with a ground defence and the base fighters downed enemy plane one each, and they crashed onto the field beside the hangars.
On 26th Oct, 1942, Dornier DO17s raid Southend, one is hit by a ground defence and crashes into the dispersal areas of 350 Sqn.

9th February 1943: In bad weather, a lone Dornier 217 sneaked in right under patrolling Spitfires over Southend and shot up the airfield and escaped! At the beginning of June 1943 the airfield was transferred back into the Hornchurch sector and remained there until the operations room was closed down in February 1944.

In 1946, the airfield was de-requisitioned and on 1st January 1947, civil flying was returned once again and continues today.

RAF Rochford was home to the following Squadrons during the Battle:

No 54 Squadron from 25th June 1940
No 264 Squadron from 27th August 1940
No 264 Squadron from 29th October 1940

RAF STAPLEFORD (TAWNEY) Top

In 1934 Stapleford Tawney, situated 5 miles north of Romford, was a Civil aerodrome. In 1938 No 21 Elementary and Reserve Flying Training School was established here, and is where J. E. 'Johnnie' Johnson was a pupil. Between 1939 and 1940 was enlarged and rebuilt as a Fighter Satellite for North Weald, where it was home to Hurricane squadrons.
The airfield was twice hit by V2 flying bombs in 1944, creating a huge craters and devastation; the second one killing 17 and injuring 50. In 1943 the airfield was taken out of Fighter Command and became a satellite of Sawbridgeworth. In 1945 the airfield was used for 'Care and Maintenance' and a year later was used for Paratroop drops, but wasn't used for flying again until it was returned to Civil aviation in 1953.

RAF Stapleford was home to the following Squadrons during the Battle:

No 151 Squadron from 29th August 1940
No 46 Squadron from 1st September 1940

RAF THORNEY ISLAND Top

Thorney Island is situated between Chichester and Portsmouth. It was first used by the RAF in 1935 ad used as a fighter station and base for Coastal Command during the Second World War. In 1984 it was taken over by the army and is now the home base for an Artillery Regiment.

RAF Thorney Island was home to the following Squadrons during the Battle:

No 236 Squadron from 4th July 1940

RAF WESTHAMPNETT Top

On the grounds of what is today the Goodwood racing Circuit stood RAF Westhampnett, which opened in 1940 during the Battle of Britain. It had four grass runways and was was home to many squadrons. After a four month closure in 1945, it became a Naval Air Fighting Development Unit until its final closure in 1946.

The airfield became the flying club part of the Goodwood complex.

RAF Westhampnett was home to the following Squadrons during the Battle:

No 145 Squadron from 31st July 1940
No 602 Squadron from 13th August 1940

RAF WEST MALLING Top

Originally a private landing field in the 1930s, an RAF station was formed there in June 1940, and it was used as an advanced aerodrome for both Kenley and Biggin Hill. Wing Commander Guy Gibson described the 515 acre airfield as one of the happiest airfields of his life and said: "Of all the airfields in Great Britain here, many say, including myself, we have the most pleasant". RAF West Malling had two grass runways strengthened with Somerfield Tracking to ensure maximum all-weather usage. These runways were extended in 1940. It also had two Picket-Hamilton Retractable gun platforms and a unique flak tower on the perimeter of the airfield which housed a Bofors anti-aircraft gun and a range predictor.

After the war the airfield was one of many in the RAF's cut-back of their inventory, and the airfield passed through many hands until in 1970, when the Kent County Council purchased it to 'protect it from undesirable development'. In 1988, the site was sold to Rouse and Associates of Malvern, Pennsylvania. The airfield was used for a gliding school, and as the setting for the TV series "We'll Meet Again". In the mid-90s, the airfield was given up for excavation development.

RAF West Malling was home to the following Squadrons during the Battle:

No 141 Squadron from 12th July 1940
No 66 Squadron from 30th October 1940