5 stories you might not know from the Battle of Britain

82 years ago, the Battle of Britain raged in the air over Britain. These are some of the stories of some of those who helped win the fight for the Allies in British skies.

Blog cover image: Spitfires at Duxford Battle of Britain Day (Adrian Moore)

What was the Battle of Britain and why was it fought?

The Battle of Britain refers to a sustained period of aerial combat that took place between July-September 1940, predominantly over Southern England.

Germany’s goal was to achieve air supremacy over Britain to pave way for a potential invasion.

Historians continue to debate whether Germany really could launch such an attack, but for the men and women of the UK in 1940, it was a very tangible threat.

Who fought the Battle of Britain?

The Battle of Britain was contested between the Royal Air Force and the German Luftwaffe.

Around 3,000 pilots, who have come to be remembered as “The Few” flew for the RAF. While the majority were British, they were supported by some 700 or so airmen from around the world, including South Africans, New Zealanders, Free French, Canadians, Americans, Australians, Jamaicans, Czechs, and Poles.

While The Few may take the glamour, they could not have pulled off their victory without The Many.  Thousands of men and women supported the pilots, whether as mechanics, radar operators, spotters, Women’s Auxiliary Airforce (WAAF) members, ground crew, medical staff or in other important roles.

As well as the RAF, other services, such as Bomber Command, Coastal Command, the Army, and Navy, played important roles during the battle too.

Who won The Battle of Britain and how did they do it?

After three and half months of roaring engines, hectic dogfights, and dogged determination, the RAF forces triumphed over the Luftwaffe.

There are some key reasons that explain how Britain won the battle:

• The geography favoured Britain with less travel needed for rearming and refuelling. German planes had much further to travel from airfields across the English Channel.
• Advances in radar technology meant the British generally knew when and where an attack was coming from, allowing forces to organise and meet incoming threats head-on.
• This technology was integrated into the Dowding System: one of the world’s first aerial defence systems pioneered by Fighter Command leader Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding. The Luftwaffe had never encountered anything like it before and struggled to overcome the organised defence the RAF brought up.
• The Dowding System combined technology, processes, and people to detect enemy attacks and coordinate an effective defensive response. 
• German pilots were also flying more sorties over further distances, while RAF pilots had more time to rest and recuperate before they flew.
• In a strategic error, German air forces switched priorities from attacking airfields to bombing cities halfway through the battle. This relieved the pressure on the RAF, saving men and aircraft from attacks while they were on the ground, saving them for the sky.

By mid-September, the Battle of Britain was over.

German air forces would continue to launch bombing raids on British cities for the rest of the war, but the window of invasion had been closed. The Luftwaffe had failed in its objective to control British skies.

5 stories from the men and women of The Battle of Britain

Let’s dive into some stories representing the men and women who fought and gave their lives during the Battle of Britain.

Josef Frantisek

Josef Frantisek’s story is remarkable.

Image: Josef Frantisek 

Born in Czechoslovakia, Josef joined the Czech Airforce in 1934. Four years later, Germany annexed the Sudetenland, a part of Czechoslovakia inhabited by ethnic Germans. Many Czech pilots fled the country, finding refuge in Poland.

By 1939, Germany had invaded Poland. By this time, Josef had started flying for the Polish Airforce, earning victories in the sky in the desperate struggle by Polish forces to hold back the Nazi onslaught. Despite the Polish Air Force being outgunned and out-equipped by the Luftwaffe, Josef would earn the Polish Virtuti Militari 5^th class and four Crosses of Valour for his daring actions in attacking German troop columns and undertaking dangerous reconnaissance missions.

Following the fall of Poland, Josef escaped German clutches again, this time making his way to France. It wouldn’t be long before he was flying once more after first being enrolled as a mechanic in L’Armée d’Air. While his official French Air Force Records were destroyed, it is claimed Josef made 11 victories during the Battle for France, resulting in his being awarded the Croix de Guerre.

France fell to Nazi Germany in June 1940. Josef once more escaped to a friendly nation, this time making it to Britain. He joined the RAF, serving with the Polish 303 Squadron, composed of Poles and other Eastern Europeans who fled the Nazi advance across Europe. 303 Squadron would gain fame for claiming the greatest number of enemy aircraft kills during the Battle of Britain.

During his time flying Hurricanes in the Battle of Britain, Josef Frantisek claimed 17 kills. While nominally being part of 303 Squadron, Josef often flew alone, peeling away from his comrades to fight his own private battles above the sky.

For his efforts, Josef was decorated again, earning the Distinguished Flying Medal. Sadly, this was a posthumous award. Josef crashed in an accident returning from a patrol in Ewell, Surrey, possibly as a result of battle fatigue and physical exhaustion.

Josef is buried alongside more of his comrades in Northwood Cemetery. Josef and other international pilots contribution to the Battle of Britain victory will not be forgotten.

Billy Fiske

Chicago-born Billy Fiske was no stranger to fast-paced thrills.

Image: Billy Fiske

Billy was an Olympic gold medallist, winning the top prize at the 1932 Lake Placid Winter Olympics as the driver of the victorious US bobsleigh team. He was also a keen downhill skier, and one of the key proponents of American downhill skiing.

Billy came from a wealthy New York family but had fallen in love with Britain while studying at Cambridge University. Before the war, he was working at the London offices of New York bankers Dillon, Reed & Co.

He was transferred home as the storm clouds of war grew over Europe, but on the 30^th of August 1939, Billy was back in the UK. He became one of a small number of American pilots to volunteer in the RAF. Because the United States was neutral and had yet to enter the war, Billy claimed to be Canadian.

Joining the RAF Volunteer Reserve, Billy gained the rank of Pilot Office in March 1940. He served in 601 Squadron, the so-called “Millionaire’s Squadron”, composed of well-connected, wealthy young men.

Billy’s first taste of real combat came on 20^th July 1940. He flew a staggering 42 flight missions across the next 27 days, often flying several times a day, showing the stress placed on RAF pilots during the Battle of Britain. As the battle progressed, Billy would begin to rack up aerial victories. On 13^th August, Billy claimed three Messerschmitt BF110s.

On 16^th August, RAF Tangmere, 601 Squadron’s base, came under attack from German bombers. Billy, in his Hurricane fighter, scrambled to take on the attacking Junkers JU 87 “Stuka” Dive Bombers. Billy’s plane was hit by a Stuka tail gunner, rupturing his fuel tank, turning his Hurricane into a fireball.

Billy managed to bring his burning Hurricane into land so the aircraft could be saved to fly again. Billy would not be so lucky. Dragged from the wreckage, he was taken away by ambulance after suffering severe burns. He died of shock from his injuries on August 17^th.

Billy is buried at Boxgrove (SS. Mary and Blaise) Churchyard. As one of only two Americans to die during the Battle of Britain, Billy also has a unique memorial plaque in the crypt of St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Carol Winifred Lawry

Image: Carol (not pictured here) was a member of the Women's Auxiliary Airforce © IWM CH 168

The Women’s Auxiliary Airforce (WAAF) played a massive role in the Battle of Britain. From humble beginnings, the strain placed on the RAF during The Battle of Britain greatly expanded the WAAF’s role. From radar reporters, aircraft plotters, and observers, these women formed an important link in the Dowding System defensive chain.

Through their combined efforts of observing enemy air formations and positions, WAAF members were able to help accurately predict when and where the Luftwaffe would strike, feeding that vital information to the controllers and pilots. Without them, it is possible the Battle of Britain could have had a very different outcome. They may not have been taking to the skies, but these young women were just as brave as their male counterparts.

The bravery and self-sacrifice of the WAAFs can be seen in the story of Carol Winifred Lawry.

Carol joined the Women’s Auxiliary Airforce shortly after World War Two broke out in September 1939. Initially serving as a clerk, Carol was promoted to Aircraftwoman First Class in June 1940. She served diligently as an Air Observer at RAF Kenley in South London and married Canadian-born pilot Kenwyn Lawry in July.

RAF Kenley’s location meant it was often heavily targeted by Luftwaffe bombers. It must have come as some relief when she was granted leave in October, after the aerial fighting was beginning to wind down.

Carol and her mother-in-law Agnes set off for the seaside town of Eastbourne. On the 8^th of October, the two women were taking in the displays in the town’s Messer Bobby’s Department Store when a German air raid was launched.

High explosive bombs were dropped on Eastbourne town centre. Carol heard a bomb’s tell-tale whistle, grabbing Agnes and shielding her with her body when the bomb detonated close by. While Agnes would survive, Carol was struck with shrapnel and seriously injured. She tragically succumbed to her wounds on the 9^th of October. Agnes walked away with her life thanks to Carol’s sacrifice.

Carol Winifred Lawry is buried in Eastbourne (Ocklynge) Cemetery.

For the Lawries, the tragedy was not over. Her husband Kenwyn was said to be completely heartbroken after Carol’s death – especially as it was revealed she was carrying their first child.

Kenwyn continued to serve with the Royal Canadian Air Force, flying Bristol Blenheim bombers, later transferring to Catalina Flying Boats. He was killed in action on his first operational sortie with the Catalinas on a long-range reconnaissance flight over Norway in October 1941.

Kenwyn’s body was never found. His name is listed on the panels of the Runnymede Air Forces Memorial, commemorating airmen and women with no known graves.

Bob Smith

Image: RAF ground crewmen, like Bob Smith, were absolutely essential to aerial operations © IWM CH 13474

Corporal Robert Whittell Smith, known as Bob, and his comrades who sadly died during the Battle of Britain represent the tireless “Many” against the “Few” of the likes of Billy Fiske and Josef Frantisek.

Thousands of ground crew supported the pilots. Their efforts kept the Spitfires, Hurricanes, and other planes fuelled, armed, and repaired throughout those long months. Hundreds of thousands of ground crew would continue to serve the RAF in theatres around the world for the rest of the war.

Around 300 or so ground crew were killed on the ground, either by combat or accidents, throughout the Battle of Britain. A further 460 or so would be wounded.

Bob Smith was serving at RAF Middle Wallop on August 14^th when died. Weather conditions that day led to a reduction in large-scale German activity, but the Luftwaffe took the opportunity to send single aircraft through. Several airfields were attacked with attacks reaching as far as Cardiff in Wales.

Around 17:15 at Middle Wallop, a single Junkers Ju 88 Bomber broke through the cloud. As the alarm sounded, sending the ground crew and pilots into action, the German bomber passed over ahead, dropping its deadly payload.

Bob and his maintenance party were working frantically to close one of the enormous steel plate doors on one of Middle Wallop’s aircraft hangars. According to a pilot from 609 Squadron, based at Middle Wallop, the Junkers’ bomb crashed through the ceiling, blasting the door clean off its hinges.

Bob, alongside his comrades LACs Harry Thornley and Ken Wilson, was crushed by the door, dying instantly. He is buried at Morley Cemetery.

While the pilots and airmen dogfighting in the British skies are rightly recognised for their combat roles, it’s important we recognise that men on the ground like Bob Smith, also gave their lives in pursuit of final victory.

Brian Lane

Brian Lane was already a veteran airman by the time of the Battle of Britain.

Image: Brian Lane with members of his squadron

Joining the RAF in 1936, three years before the outbreak of World War Two, Brian first flew with 66 and 213 Squadrons. By Dunkirk in May 1940, Brian was Commander of A Flight of 19 Squadron, tackling the Luftwaffe over mainland France while British and French troops were evacuated from the port.

Brian was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his bravery during the Dunkirk Evacuation. With the death of his commanding officer, he was promoted to Commander of 19 Squadron which he would lead during the coming aerial storm over Britain.

During the hectic days to come, Brian would gain huge admiration amongst his peers. Flight Sergeant George “Grumpy” Unwin said: “He was completely unflappable, no matter what the odds; his voice was always calm and reassuring, issuing orders which always seemed to be the right decision.”

Strong leadership was integral to the war effort from top to bottom. Commanders and squadron leaders like Brian Lane did their utmost to defeat the enemy but also recognised they had a substantial duty of care to ensure their men did not give their lives needlessly.

19 Squadron worked closely alongside 242 Squadron, led by the famous Douglas Bader. The two squadrons would combine into a “Big Wing” formation, designed to meet Luftwaffe raids in strength.

Notably, 19 Squadron was one of the first squadrons in the RAF to be outfitted with iconic Spitfire fighters.

Brian survived the Battle of Britain, but he would not survive the war. After being moved to a staff post in the Middle East in 1941, Brian returned to England to serve as a squadron leader with 167 Squadron.

It was with 167 Squadron that Brian would make his last flight. His Spitfire was last seen pursuing two Focke-Wulf 190 Fighters over Schouwen in the Netherlands on 13^th December 1942. His body was never recovered.

Squadron Leader Brian Lane is commemorated on the Runnymede Air Forces Memorial.

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