The Battle of Britain - Introduction

It is more than sixty years since the Battle of Britain raged in the skies over southern England during the summer and autumn of 1940. But for those who fought the battle and eventually thwarted the Luftwaffe's attempt to gain air supremacy over Britain, the memories remain. The Imperial War Museum Sound Archive has been interviewing veterans of the Battle of Britain for the past twenty-five years. The collection contains more than 120 interviews with, not only pilots, but also men and women involved in vital work on the ground. This page, however, will concentrate on the reminiscences of the pilots themselves.

The Spitfire has become one of the most enduring images of the Battle of Britain. However, the Hurricane played an equally important role in the air battles of 1940.

Geoffrey Page, who served with 56 squadron, experienced flying both aircraft. (59 secs - 122KB)

Roland Beamont served with 87 squadron. Here he describes how he managed to shoot down a Messerschmitt 109 over Dorset in August 1940. (2.59 mins - 367KB)

Geoffrey Page experienced success during his first Battle of Britain dog-fight over Kent in July 1940. (1.49 mins - 224KB)

However for much of the Battle of Britain, successes were often outweighed by losses.

George 'Grumpy' Unwin, who served with 19 squadron, recounts here how he was shot down by a Dornier in September 1940. (2.46 mins - 341KB)

David Cox, who served with 19 squadron, recalls here how he was attacked and eventually shot down by four Messerschmitt 109s in August 1940. (1.35 mins - 196KB)

Losses were compounded by the continuing need for more pilots and the introduction of men with minimal training and little experience in the aircraft they were going to be flying.

New Zealander Alan Deere, who served with 54 squadron, recalls here the arrival and eventual fate of two inexperienced pilots. (1.08 mins - 140KB)

The apparent success of the Luftwaffe and the loss of colleagues took its toll on morale in Battle of Britain squadrons.

Polish pilot John Kaye, who served with 302 squadron, recalls here the death of a fellow pilot and friend.
(1.00 mins - 124KB)

Roland Beamont describes here what motivated him and his fellow pilots. (1.33 mins - 192KB)

Peter Brothers who served with squadrons 32 and 257, describes here his attempts to boost the morale of the men he was leading. (1.28 mins - 181KB)

Many pilots were seriously wounded and some faced the prospect of long term disability.

George Bennions, who served with 41 Squadron, recalls here how he learned to come to terms with his terrible injuries. (3.47 mins - 467KB)

If you wish to listen to more of the Sound Archive's Battle of Britain interviews or any of our other recordings, the archive is open to all, free of charge from 10.00am - 5.00pm Monday to Friday. For contact details see Information.

A compilation tape containing more than forty extracts from interviews with men and women who experienced the Battle of Britain can be purchased from the Museum shop at £5.99 (Ref:AD0030).