Douglas Bader (centre) at Duxford 1940

In February 1940 one of the heroes of the Second World War was posted to No.19 Squadron at Duxford. Flying Officer Douglas Bader had lost his legs in an air crash several years earlier and had been discharged from the RAF. Determined to serve his country in the way he knew best, he badgered the RAF until he was allowed to fly again. He would not permit his artificial limbs to deter him and soon showed himself to be a courageous pilot and a fine leader.

By June 1940 Belgium, Holland and France had fallen to the German forces and the conquest of Britain was their next objective. Duxford was placed in a high state of readiness and to create space for additional units at Duxford, 19 Squadron moved to nearby Fowlmere. Then came the start of Hitler's attempt to dominate the skies over Britain as a prelude to the subjugation of Britain.

Luftwaffe reconnaisance photograph taken during 1940 showing Duxford village and the airfield (IWM neg. no. MH6526)

The period of intense air fighting that followed has become known as the Battle of Britain. Duxford's first Hurricanes arrived in July with the formation of No.310 Squadron, made up of Czechoslovakian pilots who had escaped from France. At the end of August the Air Officer Commanding 12 Group, Air-Vice Marshal Trafford Leigh-Mallory, ordered the Hurricanes of 242 Squadron, now commanded by Douglas Bader, down from Coltishall to join 19 and 310 Squadrons on daily standby at Duxford.

Leigh-Mallory was impressed with the performance of 19 and 310 Squadrons and authorised Bader to lead 242, 19 and 310 operating together as a Wing. On 9 September the Duxford squadrons successfully intercepted and turned back a large force of German bombers before they reached their target. On the strength of this two more squadrons

The Operations Room, Duxford, WW2

were added to the Wing, No.302 (Polish) Squadron with Hurricanes, and the Spitfires of No.611 Auxiliary Squadron which had mobilised at Duxford a year before.

Every day some sixty Spitfires and Hurricanes were dispersed around Duxford and Fowlmere. Bader's 'Big Wing', now known more formally as 12 Group Wing, was ready for action by 15 September 1940, which became known as 'Battle of Britain Day'. On this historic day they twice took to the air to repulse Luftwaffe attacks aimed at London. RAF fighter Command was successful, the threat of invasion passed and Duxford's squadrons had played a vital role in the victory.