How were RAF Fighter Command operations controlled during the Battle of Britain?
The air defence of Great Britain was successfully undertaken using a complex communication and fighter control network. Information about enemy raids heading to the UK could be gathered and assessed. This efficient early warning system provided valuable time in which RAF fighters could be scrambled to intercept or to harass enemy aircraft. It also meant that the fighters were able to spend less time in the air. Fresh details concerning a raid were continuously relayed through the network so that tactical decisions could be made based upon the latest information available.
The Commander in Chief of Fighter Command HQ, Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding had overall control of RAF fighter operations. Fighter Command was divided into Groups with each Group Commander responsible for a particular geographical area. AVM Christopher Quintin Brand's 10 Group covered Wales and the West Country. AVM Keith Park's 11 Group covered London and South East England. AVM Trafford Leigh-Mallory's 12 Group covered Midlands and East Anglia and AVM Richard Saul's 13 Group covered Scotland, North of England and Northern Ireland.
Each of these areas was sub-divided into several Sectors with a Sector station controlling 2 or 3 airfields.
During a typical raid details about enemy aircraft approaching the UK were sent by the 'chain home' or radio direction finding, later radar, stations located around the coast to the Fighter Command HQ Filter Room at Bentley Priory. Once collated and assessed this information was passed to the operation room next door and to Group operation rooms. Observer Corp Posts also provided vital details once the enemy aircraft could be sighted visually.
Fighter Command HQ kept in constant contact with the Group HQs and the Group Commanders maintained communication with their Sector Controllers instructing them as necessary.
Based in the Sector Operation Room the Controller, often a pilot, made the decision when to 'scramble' the fighters. He and his deputy controllers, often navigators, provided the pilots with coded courses to steer; guiding the fighters to the target and back to base. The order to 'scramble', together with the codename for the area to be patrolled, was sent by telephone to the dispersal huts at the fighter airfields.
Coded radio contact was maintained between the fighters and Sector control during a raid. The fighter formation leader had responsibility for engaging with the enemy aircraft and making tactical decisions in the air.
