On This Day, 1940: On 22 July 1940, an RAF Blenheim used airborne interception radar to shoot down a Dornier Do 17…
Read the entry →Second World War Articles
In-depth articles, analysis and long reads from The RAF Chronicle.
German Invasion Preparations in Directive No. 16
Second World War
On 16 July 1940, War Directive No. 16 began preparations for Operation Sea Lion and made the destruction of RAF resistance a central aim.
Read the article →Edwards Awarded the Victoria Cross for Bremen Raid
On 4 July 1941 Wing Commander Hughie Idwal Edwards received the Victoria Cross for leading a gallant daylight…
RAF Mediterranean Air War: From Survival to Offensive Power
How the RAF fought the Mediterranean air war from early weakness in 1940 to offensive power over North…
Halifax HR837 Survives Bomb Damage on the Raid to Cologne
On 29 June 1943, Halifax HR837 survived a falling Allied bomb over Cologne and was flown safely back…
David Hornell Wins the Victoria Cross in Anti-Submarine Attack
Flight Lieutenant David Hornell sank U-1225 on 24 June 1944, then fought to save his crew after ditching…
The V1 Campaign and the RAF’s Air Defence Response
How the RAF met the V1 offensive through Operation Diver, fighter interception and an adapted air-defence system over…
RAF Pilot Brings Down First V-1 by Wing-Tipping Tactic
A Spitfire pilot brought down a V-1 by tipping it over with a wing, proving a dangerous technique…
RAF and the Battle for Norway, 1940: Strategic Failure
A long read on how range, weather and weak basing limited RAF operations in Norway during the German…
Churchill Signals the Coming Battle of Britain in Commons
Churchill told Parliament that the Battle of France was over and the Battle of Britain was about to…
From Cologne to the Ruhr: RAF Strategic Bombing Escalates
RAF strategic bombing moved from the Cologne mass raid to the Ruhr offensive, expanding Bomber Command’s scale, reach…
RAF Radio Counter-Measures Work Begins Before the Blitz
On 16 June 1940, the RAF’s radio counter-measures effort began taking organised form through specialist interception work and…
RAF Forms No. 529 Squadron as First Autogiro Unit in 1943
On 15 June 1943, No. 529 Squadron formed at Halton as the RAF’s first autogiro unit, supporting radar…
First V-1 Flying Bomb Offensive Begins Against London
On 13 June 1944, the first V-1 flying bombs reached London, opening a new phase of the air…