RAF Fighter Power Beyond 1940: From Spitfire to Deterrence
How RAF fighter power grew beyond the Battle of Britain, from wartime sweeps and Malta to NATO in Germany, Phantoms in the Falklands, Harriers in Belize and Typhoon QRA today.
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The Hardest Day of the Battle of Britain Air Campaign
On 18 August 1940, the Hardest Day of the Battle of Britain brought heavy RAF and Luftwaffe losses as attacks hit airfields and radar.
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Spitfires Reinforce Malta from HMS Furious in 1942
On 17 August 1942, fresh Spitfires flew from HMS Furious to Malta, strengthening the island’s air defence at a critical stage of the siege.
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Bomber Command Attack on Turin and Milan in Northern Italy
The Bomber Command attack on Turin and Milan on 16 August 1940 hit key Italian industry and showed Britain could carry the air war beyond Germany.
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The Pathfinder Force Is Formed in RAF Bomber Command
On 15 August 1942, Bomber Command formed the Pathfinder Force under D.C.T. Bennett to mark targets and improve RAF night bombing accuracy.
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Japan Accepts Surrender Terms and the Pacific War Ends
On 14 August 1945, Japan accepted surrender terms, ending the Pacific war in practice and closing a vast chapter of RAF service in Asia.
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Hugh Trenchard Joins the Central Flying School, 1912
On 13 August 1912, Hugh Trenchard joined the Central Flying School, a formative step on the road to shaping Britain’s independent air arm.
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Royal Flying Corps Begins the Move to France in 1914
On 12 August 1914, the Royal Flying Corps began moving to France with the BEF, opening Britain’s first sustained overseas air deployment.
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Malta Convoys and RAF Air Reinforcement in the Mediterranean
How the Malta convoys kept the RAF’s island base fighting in 1941 and 1942, from Harpoon and Vigorous to Operation Pedestal and the tanker Ohio, and how RAF fighters covered them.
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Jaguar GR1As Depart for the Gulf in Operation Granby
On 11 August 1990, RAF Jaguar GR1As left the UK for Thumrait as Britain built the early air deployment that became Operation Granby.
