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Exhibition Text
On the afternoon of the 15th of September 1940, the German air force launched a huge raid against London. This phone call would begin Duxford’s involvement in the day’s events, sending the Big Wing of 5 squadrons, with 49 pilots, in an attempt to intercept the attack…
14:05
‘Ops A’
Sub Controller
Hello Hucknall, George Sector receiving… Understood. Thank you. Sir, Bentley have ordered the Wing to patrol Hornchurch. A large raid is reported to be approaching the coast between Dungeness and Dover, and 11 Group are throwing everything they have at it.
Woody Woodhall
Ops Room Controller
Right, ladies. Start getting the blocks ready in case they head our way. Ops, how many aircraft are available?
‘Ops B’
Deputy Controller
49 available, sir. 11 damaged in the earlier raid.
Woody Woodhall
Ops Room Controller
Right, Ops. We need to get them up straight away. Scramble all squadrons!
‘Ops B’
Deputy Controller
Yes, sir. Douglas, scramble 2-4-2 immediately and form up the Wing. Hello 3-0-2, scramble, scramble. 3-1-0, scramble, scramble. Hello Fowlmere, scramble 1-9 and 6-1-1 squadrons immediately. Scramble. All squadrons scrambled, sir.
Woody Woodhall
Ops Room Controller
Thank you, Ops.
14:10
‘Ops B’
Deputy Controller
All squadrons except 2-4-2 now airborne, sir.
Woody Woodhall
Ops Room Controller
Why isn’t Douglas up yet? They’re taking far too long. Ambrose! Connect Lorag Leader’s radio to the tannoy.
Ralph Ambrose
Radio Operator
Connected, sir.
Woody Woodhall
Ops Room Controller
Dorey Control to Lorag Leader. Douglas, what’s the hold up? Your orders are to form the Wing overhead as quickly as possible and proceed to Hornchurch to patrol at Angels 2-5, buster.
Douglas Bader
Big Wing Commander
Lorag Leader to Control. Stop worrying, Woody. We’ll be up soon, over.
14:30
Woody Woodhall
Ops Room Controller
Ops, update on 2-4-2?
‘Ops B’
Deputy Controller
Sir, 2-4-2 now airborne.
Woody Woodhall
Ops Room Controller
Thank you, Ops. Let’s hope they make it in time.
14:35
Women's Auxiliary Air Force member
Ops Room Plotter
South – L for London – 9-7-3-5 – Duxford Wing – 4-9 aircraft at 8.
Woody Woodhall
Ops Room Controller
They should be over Sawbridgeworth now. Dorey Control to Lorag Leader. Douglas, vector 1-7-5, over.
Douglas Bader
Big Wing Commander
Lorag Leader here. Received and understood.
14:40
‘Ops A’
Sub Controller
Yes, this is G Sector……right. Thank you. Sir, the Observer Corps are reporting 3 large formations of enemy aircraft approaching Sevenoaks and Maidstone on a 30 mile-wide front. Estimates 150 to 200 bombers, 400 fighters. Likely target London.
Woody Woodhall
Ops Room Controller
Thank you, Ops. Dorey Control to Lorag Leader. There’s some trade heading northwest to the south of you. 500 plus bandits at Angels 2-1, over.
Douglas Bader
Big Wing Commander
Lovely.
14:50
Douglas Bader
Big Wing Commander
Lorag Leader to Dorey Control. Bandits sighted over southeast London. Climbing and positioning up sun to attack.
Woody Woodhall
Ops Room Controller
Dorey Control. Understood, Douglas. Give them hell. Guns, ring AA Command to let them know the Wing are close to London.
‘Guns’
Army Liaison Officer
Yes, sir.
15:00
Douglas Bader
Big Wing Commander
Lorag Leader to Wing. Tally-ho. Tally-ho. 40 enemy bombers to port. Climb to Angels 2-0 to intercept. Luton Leader, Charlie Leader, the party is on. You know the drill. You take care of the fighter cover. Caleb and Calla Leaders, follow me to the bombers…..
Stan Turner
RAF Pilot
Blue 2 to Lorag Leader, 109s behind and above!
Douglas Bader
Big Wing Commander
Hell, bandits! All squadrons engage! Lorag, break up, break up!
Jerrard Jeffries
RAF Pilot
Calla Leader to Squadron. Large formation of bandits approaching from the south. Stand by for head-on attack. Wait for my order… Calla, engage!
Alexander Hess
RAF Pilot
Red Leader to Green Leader, 2 109s at 5 o’clock high!
Josef Hubacek
RAF Pilot
Green Leader here. I’m hit. Can’t see what got me. Cockpit full of smoke, tail coming apart. Attempting to bail out.
Alexander Hess
RAF Pilot
They got me. My kite is on fire! Bailing out.
Jerrard Jeffries
RAF Pilot
This is Calla Leader! This is Calla Leader! I’ve got one. His starboard engine’s on fire, but I’m out of ammo. Repeat, I’m out of ammo. Returning home. Good luck, chaps!
Woody Woodhall
Ops Room Controller
Dorey Control here. Enemy heading back across the Channel….. Bring yourselves home, gentlemen.
The 15th of September was the Luftwaffe’s final attempt to destroy RAF Fighter Command. Thanks in part to Duxford’s squadrons, it failed, forcing Hitler to abandon his plans to invade Britain.