The Air Ministry Between the Wars and Britain’s Air Strategy
How the Air Ministry tried to shape British air strategy between the wars, balancing doctrine, empire, economy and rearmament before 1939.
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First London Air-Raid Alarm Sounds on Britain’s First Day of War
On 3 September 1939, London heard its first air-raid alarm of the war, showing how quickly Britain entered a state of nervous wartime readiness.
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Valiant Flies Direct from Maine to RAF Marham in 1956
On 2 September 1956, a Vickers Valiant flew direct from Maine to RAF Marham, proving the range and credibility expected of Britain’s V-bomber force.
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Heligoland Bight and the End of RAF Daylight Assumptions
How the Battle of the Heligoland Bight on 18 December 1939 cost Bomber Command 15 of 22 Wellingtons and ended its faith in unescorted daylight bombing.
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Germany Invades Poland and Opens the Air War in Europe
On 1 September 1939, Germany invaded Poland and opened the European war that would soon place the RAF at the centre of Britain’s strategic response.
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Operation Cyclone Begins RAF Herbicide Spraying in Malaya
On 31 August 1953, Operation Cyclone began in Malaya, showing how the RAF was adapting helicopters and air power to counter-insurgency warfare.
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303 Squadron Nears Operational Service in the Battle of Britain
By 30 August 1940, No. 303 (Polish) Squadron was nearing operational service and stood on the edge of its extraordinary Battle of Britain record.
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Canberra Sets a New Height Record for the RAF in 1955
On 29 August 1955, an English Electric Canberra reached nearly 66,000 feet, reinforcing the aircraft’s reputation as one of the RAF’s most capable early jets.
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Flying Officer M. O. Berg Captured in Korean War, 1952
On 28 August 1952, Flying Officer M. O. Berg was shot down in a Meteor and captured, becoming the RAF’s only Korean War prisoner.
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Hudsons Force U-570 to Surrender South of Iceland, 1941
On 27 August 1941, Hudsons of No. 269 Squadron forced U-570 to surrender south of Iceland, an extraordinary RAF success at sea.
