11th September saw club member George Hunter take the floor to talk about the battle of Britain - but with a difference. The story of that epic air battle for survival and the often heroic part played by young Hurricane and Spitfire pilots is well known through books, films and academic study.
In his talk George made reference to Stephen Bungay's book 'The Most Dangerous Enemy' and chose to concentrate on the technology, organisation, management and infrastructure that made Britains short-term survival possible.
We heard of the vital importance of the fact that Britain had the psychological advantage in that it was fighting for its homes - and doing so on home ground. This latter point meaning that the attacking Nazi aircraft were often flying at extremes of range, with limited fuel reserves - especially true for the protective fighter aircraft escorting the bombers.
Although at the start of the air campaign Germany had perhaps 50% more fighters, they suffered a higher attrition rate, whilst at the same time British industry was rapidly increasing the production rate of aircraft - Britain’s industrial resources being rapidly reorganised and directed to this task.
Particularly influential was the success in detecting and tracking incoming bombers and then effectively directing interception forces. Key was what George described as the ‘analogue internet’ of the day. This was an exceptionally well integrated network of radar stations, tracking personnel operated by the Royal Observer Corps and command posts at Stanmore and Uxbridge. The defence network was organised by sector with real-time plotting tables in sector control rooms. It seems that Britain benefitted from a much higher interception rate than was the case for Germany.
Apparently the existence of such a well-integrated intelligence network was not known to the enemy. The task of destroying easily-repairable airfields and difficult-to-hit radar towers also proved more daunting than had been expected.
At the start of the conflict Germany had the benefit of experience, superior tactics and numbers - whilst Britain had defence technology, teamwork and psychological advantage. As history shows this proved to be enough.
Following questions, Tony Lodge proposed a vote of thanks.
