A snapshot of life at Duxford during the Battle of Britain
Duxford in the Battle of Britain
Photographic exhibition
From mid-April to December 2010
AirSpace
Following the popularity of the Duxford Goes to War exhibition in 2009, IWM Duxford
presents a new photographic exhibition portraying life at RAF Duxford during the Battle of
Britain.
These evocative photographs have captured the men and women who served at RAF Duxford
at work and play, giving a unique insight into life at a fighter station during the Second World
War. It also serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made during the summer of 1940.
During the Battle of Britain, RAF Duxford was a sector station in 12 Group, responsible for
directing fighters into battle. It was also responsible for a satellite station at Fowlmere, which
was utilised by RAF Duxford fighters.
The role of Duxford and Fowlmere was to protect the Midlands and East Anglia from attack
and to assist the fighters of 11 Group, protecting London and the South East.
RAF Duxford hosted pilots of many nationalities during the Battle of Britain. In addition to
Great Britain, pilots from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Poland and the United States were
stationed at Duxford.
No.19 was the only squadron to be based at Duxford or Fowlmere for the entire duration of
the Battle of Britain. Over the summer of 1940, many other squadrons called Duxford
‘home’, flying Hurricanes, Spitfires and even the Defiant turret-fighter.
In addition to fighter pilots, Duxford housed the ground crew and additional staff needed to
efficiently run the station, including the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force and civilian personnel
undertaking vital communications work in the Operations Room.
During the first months of 1940, Duxford’s squadrons patrolled North Sea convoys. They
then provided aerial cover for the evacuation of Dunkirk, before the Battle of Britain began in
earnest in July 1940. By September 1940, Duxford’s squadrons were regularly protecting 11
Group’s airfields while its squadrons were on sortie. This marked the start of one of
Duxford’s famed roles in the Battle of Britain, as the home of the ‘Big Wing’.
This exhibition brings visitors face-to-face with some of the heroic characters who flew from
Duxford to win the battle in the skies.
Many of the ‘ace’ pilots based at RAF Duxford obtained heroic status. In addition to the
celebrated Douglas Bader, pilots such as Brian Lane, ‘Grumpy’ Unwin, ‘Farmer’ Lawson and
Wallace Cunningham showed immense courage in the face of the enemy. These fresh-faced
young men stare out from iconic black and white images, captured forever at a key moment in
wartime history – and unsure of the eventual outcome of the conflict they fought.
Many of the photographs in this exhibition were taken by Stanley Devon, a photojournalist
who was twice-named News Photographer of the Year. An official RAF photographer, he was
sent to Duxford during the Battle of Britain to record activities on a typical fighter station.
Duxford in the Battle of Britain depicts the prominent role played by RAF Duxford in the
aerial combat that changed the course of Second World War history.
There is no need to book in advance and admission to this exhibition is included in the
standard admission price to the Museum.
Duxford in the Battle of Britain forms the start of IWM Duxford’s programme of events
commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
Forthcoming events include:
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and the RAF Today (Saturday 15 May)
Spring Air Show – featuring the very best of the RAF, past and present (Sunday 16 May)
Battle of Britain themed summer holiday activities (Friday 23 July to Tuesday 31 August)
The Battle of Britain Air Show (Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 September)
Duxford, Spitfires and the Battle of Britain Special Interest Day (Saturday 11 September)
Imperial War Museum Duxford is just south of Cambridge at junction 10 of the M11. Ample
free parking is available. For a full list of Duxford’s air shows and other exciting events in
2010, including half term activities for families, visit www.iwm.org.uk/duxford or telephone
01223 835 000.
