View source for RAF Fighter Command order of battle 1940

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2017}}
This article lists the [[RAF Fighter Command]] order of battle at 15 September 1940, during the [[Battle of Britain]].

==Fighter Command==

RAF Fighter Command Headquarters was located at [[RAF Bentley Priory]], near [[Stanmore]] in [[North London]]. The commanding officer was [[Hugh Dowding|Air Chief Marshal Hugh C.T. Dowding]].

==Fighter groups==
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Group!!Headquarters!!Commanding officer!!Area of operations
|-
|[[No. 9 Group RAF|9 Group]]||[[RAF Barton Hall]], [[Preston, Lancashire]]||[[Wilfred McClaughry|W A McClaughry]]||[[North West England]] and [[Northern Ireland]]
|-
| [[10 Group]]||[[RAF Rudloe Manor|RAF Box]],<ref>[http://www.subbrit.org.uk/rsg/sites/r/rudloe_manor_1/ RAF Box]</ref> [[Box, Wiltshire|Box]], [[Wiltshire]]||[[Quintin Brand|C J Quintin Brand]]|| [[South West England]] and [[South Wales]] 
|-
| [[No. 11 Group RAF|11 Group]]||[[RAF Uxbridge]],<ref>[http://www.subbrit.org.uk/rsg/sites/u/uxbridge/index.html RAF Uxbridge]</ref> [[Hillingdon]], [[Middlesex]]||[[Keith Park]] || [[South East England]] and [[London]]
|-
| [[No. 12 Group RAF|12 Group]]||[[RAF Watnall]],<ref>[http://www.subbrit.org.uk/rsg/sites/w/watnall/index.html RAF Watnall]</ref> [[Nottinghamshire]]||[[Trafford Leigh-Mallory]]|| [[East Anglia]], the [[English Midlands|Midlands]], [[Mid Wales]] and [[North Wales]]
|-
| [[No. 13 Group RAF|13 Group]]||[[RAF Blakelaw|RAF Newcastle]],<ref>[http://www.subbrit.org.uk/rsg/sites/k/kenton_bar/ RAF Newcastle]</ref> [[Kenton Bar]], [[Newcastle upon Tyne]]||[[Richard Saul]]|| [[Northern England]], [[Northern Ireland]] and [[Scotland]] 
|-
|[[No. 14 Group RAF|14 Group]]||[[Drumossie Hotel]], [[Inverness]]||[[Malcolm Henderson (aviator)|Malcolm Henderson]]||[[Scotland]]
|}

==Sector stations and satellite aerodromes==
{{seealso|Dowding system}}
Sector stations had sector control rooms as well as the usual features of RAF aerodromes; they were able to control RAF fighter formations during the battle. Sector stations were also able to disperse squadrons to satellite aerodromes, most of which were fully equipped.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/Bob1940/stations.html Fighter Command Aerodromes and Sectors |website=Royal Air Force |access-date=28 May 2008 |url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040604095259/http://www.raf.mod.uk/Bob1940/stations.html |archivedate=4 June 2004|title=The Royal Air Force - Stations Pages }}</ref><ref>Price, Alfred ''The Hardest Day'', 1980, pp. 208-211.</ref> 
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Sector !! Group !! Sector station !! Radio call sign !! Satellite airfield or airfields
|-
| A || 11 ||[[RAF Tangmere|Tangmere]] || SHORTJACK || [[RAF Westhampnett|Westhampnett]]
|-
| B || 11 || [[RAF Kenley|Kenley]] || TOPHAT || [[Croydon Airport|Croydon]]
|-
| C || 11 || [[RAF Biggin Hill|Biggin Hill]] || SAPPER || [[RAF West Malling|West Malling]], [[RAF Gravesend|Gravesend]]<ref>Note: Also used by Sector D</ref>
|-
| D || 11 || [[RAF Hornchurch|Hornchurch]] || LUMBA || [[RAF Gravesend|Gravesend]], [[RAF Rochford|Rochford]], [[RAF Manston|Manston]], [[RAF Hawkinge|Hawkinge]]
|-
| E || 11 || [[RAF North Weald|North Weald]] || COWSLIP || [[RAF Stapleford Tawney|Stapleford Tawney]], [[RAF Martlesham Heath|Martlesham Heath]]
|-
| F || 11 || [[RAF Debden|Debden]] || GARTER || [[RAF Martlesham Heath|Martlesham Heath]]<ref>Note: Also used by Sector E</ref>
|-
| G || 12 || [[RAF Duxford|Duxford]] || || [[RAF Fowlmere|Fowlmere]]
|-
| K || 12 || [[RAF Wittering|Wittering]] || || [[RAF Coltishall|Coltishall]]
|-
| L || 12 || [[RAF Digby|Digby]] || || [[RAF Ternhill|Ternhill]]
|-
| M || 12 || [[RAF Kirton-in-Lindsey|Kirton-in-Lindsey]] || || 
|-
| N || 12 || [[RAF Church Fenton|Church Fenton]] || || [[RAF Leconfield|Leconfield]]
|-
| O || 13 || [[RAF Usworth|Usworth]] || || [[RAF Catterick|Catterick]]
|-
| P || 13 || [[RAF Acklington|Acklington]] || ||
|-
| Q || 13 || [[RAF Turnhouse|Turnhouse]] || || [[RAF Drem|Drem]], [[RAF Grangemouth|Grangemouth]]
|-
| R|| 13 || [[RAF Dyce|Dyce]] || || [[RAF Grangemouth|Grangemouth]]
|-
| S|| 13 || [[RAF Wick|Wick]] || || [[Kirkwall Airport|Grimsetter]], [[RAF Sumburgh|Sumburgh]]
|-
| W|| 10 || [[RAF Filton|Filton]] || || [[RAF Boscombe Down|Boscombe Down]], [[RAF Colerne|Colerne]], [[RAF Pembrey|Pembrey]]
|-
| Y|| 10 || [[AAC Middle Wallop|Middle Wallop]] || STARLIGHT || [[RAF Boscombe Down|Boscombe Down]], [[RAF Warmwell|Warmwell]], [[RAF Exeter|Exeter]], some control over [[RNAS Roborough]], [[RAF St Eval|St. Eval]]
|-
| Z|| 11 || [[RAF Northolt|Northolt]] || || [[RAF Hendon|Hendon]]
|}

== Stations and squadrons==

{|class=wikitable
|-
|+Table of stations and squadrons<ref>The primary source used to list the squadron names (e.g.; 152 "Hyderabad" Sqn.), unit code letters, radio call signs and aircraft types of the 71 officially accredited Battle of Britain Fighter Command squadrons and other units which served under Fighter Command is ''Ramsay 1989, p.255''.</ref>
|-
!Sector Station !! Squadron !! Aircraft type !!Squadron code!! Radio call sign!! Aerodrome assigned to!! Commanding officer
|-
|'''10 Group'''|| || || || || ||
|-
| [[RAF Middle Wallop]] || [[No. 238 Squadron RAF|No. 238 Sqn]] || [[Hawker Hurricane]] || VK || || [[RAF Middle Wallop]] || Sqn Ldr Harold Arthur Fenton
|-
| RAF Middle Wallop || [[No. 609 Squadron RAF|No. 609 Sqn]] || [[Supermarine Spitfire]] || PR || SORBO || [[RAF Warmwell]] || Sqn Ldr Horace Stanley Darley
|-
| RAF Middle Wallop || [[No. 604 Squadron RAF|No. 604 (Night Fighter) Sqn]] || [[Bristol Blenheim]] & [[Bristol Beaufighter]] || NG || || [[RAF Middle Wallop]] || Sqn Ldr Michael Frederick Anderson
|-
| RAF Middle Wallop || [[No. 23 Squadron RAF|No. 23 Sqn]] (part)|| Bristol Blenheim ||YP|| || RAF Middle Wallop || Sqn Ldr George Francis Wheaton Heycock
|-
| RAF Middle Wallop || [[No. 152 Squadron RAF|No. 152 Sqn]] || Supermarine Spitfire ||UM ||MAIDA|| RAF Warmwell || Sqn Ldr Peter K Devitt
|-
| RAF Middle Wallop || [[No. 56 Squadron RAF|No. 56 Sqn]] || Hawker Hurricane || US ||BAFFIN||[[RAF Boscombe Down]] || Sqn Ldr Herbert Moreton Pinfold
|-
| [[RAF Filton]] || [[No. 79 Squadron RAF|No. 79 Sqn]] || Hawker Hurricane ||NV ||PANSY||[[RAF Pembrey]] || Sqn Ldr J Hervey Heyworth
|-
| RAF Filton || [[No. 87 Squadron RAF|No. 87 Sqn]] || Hawker Hurricane || LK || SUNCUP||[[RAF Exeter]], [[RAF]] [[Bibury]] || Flt Lt R S Mills
|-
| RAF Filton || [[No. 601 Squadron RAF|No. 601 Sqn]] || Hawker Hurricane || UF ||WEAPON||[[RAF Filton]] || [[Sir Archibald Philip Hope, 17th Baronet|Flt Lt Sir Archibald Philip Hope]] (Acting CO)
|-
| RAF Filton || [[No. 234 Squadron RAF|No. 234 Sqn]] || Supermarine Spitfire || AZ ||CRESSY || [[RAF St Eval]] || Sqn Ldr [[Minden Blake|Minden Vaughan Blake]]
|-
| RAF Filton || [[No. 236 Squadron RAF|No. 236 (Coastal Command) Sqn]] || Bristol Blenheim || FA || || RAF St Eval || Sqn Ldr G W Montagu
|-
| RAF Filton || [[No. 247 Squadron RAF|No. 247 Sqn]] || [[Gloster Gladiator]] || HP || || [[RNAS Roborough]] || Flight Lieutenant Hugh Addison Chater
|-
|'''11 Group'''|| || || || || ||
|-
| [[RAF Biggin Hill]] || [[No. 72 Squadron RAF|No. 72 Sqn]] || [[Supermarine Spitfire]] || RN ||TENNIS || [[RAF Biggin Hill]] || Sqn Ldr A R Collins
|-
| RAF Biggin Hill || [[No. 92 Squadron RAF|No. 92 Sqn]] || Supermarine Spitfire ||QJ ||GANNIC || RAF Biggin Hill || Sqn Ldr P J Sanders
|-
| RAF Biggin Hill || [[No. 141 Squadron RAF|No. 141 Sqn]] (half)|| [[Boulton Paul Defiant]] || TW || || RAF Biggin Hill || Sqn Ldr W A Richardson
|-
| RAF Biggin Hill || [[No. 66 Squadron RAF|No. 66 Sqn]] || Supermarine Spitfire || LZ ||FIBUS || [[RAF Gravesend]] || Sqn Ldr Rupert Leigh
|-
| [[RAF North Weald]] || [[No. 249 Squadron RAF|No. 249 Sqn]] || [[Hawker Hurricane]] ||GN ||GANER || [[RAF Middle Wallop]] || [[John Grandy|Sqn Ldr John Grandy]]
|-
| RAF North Weald || [[No. 23 Squadron RAF|No. 23 Sqn]] (part)|| [[Bristol Blenheim]] || YP || || [[RAF North Weald]] || Sqn Ldr George Francis Wheaton Heycock
|-
| RAF North Weald || [[No. 46 Squadron RAF|No. 46 Sqn]] || Hawker Hurricane || PO ||ANGEL|| [[Stapleford Aerodrome|RAF Stapleford]] || Sqn Ldr J R MacLachlan
|-
| [[RAF Kenley]] || [[No. 253 Squadron RAF|No. 253 Sqn]] || Hawker Hurricane || SW || || [[RAF Kenley]] || Sqn Ldr E R Bitmead
|-
| RAF Kenley || [[No. 501 Squadron RAF|No. 501 Sqn]] || Hawker Hurricane || SD ||VICEROY|| RAF Kenley || Sqn Ldr Harry A V Hogan
|-
| RAF Kenley || [[No. 605 Squadron RAF|No. 605 Sqn]] || Hawker Hurricane || UP ||TURKEY|| [[Croydon Airport|RAF Croydon]] || Sqn Ldr [[Walter Churchill|Walter A Churchill]]
|-
| [[RAF Hornchurch]] || [[No. 603 Squadron RAF|No. 603 Sqn]] || Supermarine Spitfire || XT ||VIKEN|| [[RAF Hornchurch]] || Sqn Ldr [[George Denholm|George Lovell Denholm]]
|-
| RAF Hornchurch || [[No. 600 Squadron RAF|No. 600 (Night Fighter) Sqn]] || Bristol Blenheim & [[Bristol Beaufighter]] || BQ || || RAF Hornchurch || Sqn Ldr H L Maxwell
|-
| RAF Hornchurch || [[No. 41 Squadron RAF|No. 41 Sqn]] || Supermarine Spitfire || EB ||MITOR|| RAF Hornchurch || Sqn Ldr [[Don Finlay|Donald O. Finlay]]
|-
| RAF Hornchurch || [[No. 222 Squadron RAF|No. 222 Sqn]] || Supermarine Spitfire || ZD ||KOTEL|| RAF Hornchurch || Sqn Ldr John H Hill
|-
| [[RAF Tangmere]] || [[No. 213 Squadron RAF|No. 213 Sqn]] || Hawker Hurricane || AK ||BEARSKIN|| [[RAF Tangmere]] || Flt Lt D S Wilson-Macdonald
|-
| RAF Tangmere || [[No. 607 Squadron RAF|No. 607 Sqn]] || Hawker Hurricane || AF || || RAF Tangmere || Sqn Ldr James A Vick
|-
| RAF Tangmere || [[No. 602 Squadron RAF|No. 602 Sqn]] || Supermarine Spitfire || LO ||VILLA|| [[RAF Westhampnett]] || [[Sandy Johnstone|Sqn Ldr A V R "Sandy" Johnstone DFC]] 
|-
| RAF Tangmere || [[No. 23 Squadron RAF|No. 23 Sqn]] (part)|| Bristol Blenheim & [[Bristol Beaufighter]] || YP|| || [[RAF Ford]] || Sqn Ldr George Francis Wheaton Heycock
|-
| [[RAF Debden]] || [[No. 17 Squadron RAF|No. 17 Sqn]] || Hawker Hurricane || YB ||EDEY|| [[RAF Debden]] || Sqn Ldr A G Miller
|-
| RAF Debden || [[No. 73 Squadron RAF|No. 73 Sqn]] || Hawker Hurricane || TP || || RAF Debden || Sqn Ldr Mike L Beytagh
|-
| RAF Debden || [[No. 257 Squadron RAF|No. 257 Sqn]] || Hawker Hurricane || DT ||ALERT|| [[RAF Martlesham Heath]] || [[Robert Stanford Tuck|Sqn Ldr Robert Stanford Tuck DFC]]
|-
| RAF Debden || [[No. 25 Squadron RAF|No. 25 Sqn]] (part)|| Bristol Blenheim || ZK || || RAF Martlesham Heath || Sqn Ldr Wilfred William Loxton
|-
| [[RAF Northolt]] || [[No. 1 Squadron RCAF|No. 1 Sqn RCAF]] || Hawker Hurricane || YO ||CARIBOU|| [[RAF Northolt]] || Sqn Ldr Ernest A McNab
|-
| RAF Northolt || [[No. 229 Squadron RAF|No. 229 Sqn]] || Hawker Hurricane || RE ||KETA|| RAF Northolt || Sqn Ldr Harry J Maguire
|-
| RAF Northolt || [[No. 303 Squadron RAF|No. 303 (Polish) Sqn]] || Hawker Hurricane || RF ||APANY|| RAF Northolt || [[Ronald Gustave Kellet|Sqn Ldr Ronald Kellett DSO DFC]]
|-
| RAF Northolt || [[No. 264 Squadron RAF|No. 264 Sqn]] (part)|| [[Boulton Paul Defiant]] || PS || || RAF Northolt || Sqn Ldr George Desmond Garvin
|-
| RAF Northolt || [[No. 504 Squadron RAF|No. 504 Sqn]] || Hawker Hurricane || TM || || [[RAF Hendon]] || Sqn Ldr John Sample
|-
|'''12 Group'''|| || || || || ||
|-
| [[RAF Duxford]] || [[No. 242 Squadron RAF|No. 242 Sqn]] || [[Hawker Hurricane]] || LE ||LORAG|| [[RAF Duxford]] || [[Douglas Bader|Sqn Ldr Douglas Bader]]
|-
| RAF Duxford || [[No. 302 Polish Fighter Squadron|No. 302 (Polish) Sqn]] || Hawker Hurricane || WX ||CALEB|| RAF Duxford || Sqn Ldr W A Jack Satchell / Sqn Ldr M V M Mumler
|-
| RAF Duxford || [[No. 310 Squadron RAF|No. 310 (Czech) Sqn]] || Hawker Hurricane, || NN ||CALLA|| RAF Duxford || [[Douglas Blackwood|Flt Lt G Douglas M Blackwood]] / Sqn Ldr A Sasha Hess
|-
| RAF Duxford || [[No. 19 Squadron RAF|No. 19 Sqn]] || [[Supermarine Spitfire]] || QV ||LUTON|| [[RAF Fowlmere]] || Sqn Ldr [[Brian Lane (RAF officer)|Brian John Edward Lane DFC]]
|-
| [[RAF Coltishall]] || [[No. 74 Squadron RAF|No. 74 Sqn]] || Supermarine Spitfire || ZP ||DYSOE|| [[RAF Wittering]] || [[Adolph Malan|Sqn Ldr Adolph G "Sailor" Malan]]
|-
| [[RAF Kirton-in-Lindsey]] || [[No. 616 Squadron RAF|No. 616 Sqn]] || Supermarine Spitfire || QJ<ref name="Note: The squadron code letters QJ were the same as those of 92 Squadron. The codes changed to YQ in 1941">Note: The squadron code letters QJ were the same as those of 92 Squadron. The codes changed to YQ in 1941</ref> ||RADPOE|| [[RAF Kirton-in-Lindsey]] || Flt Lt H F "Billy" Burton
|-
| RAF Kirton-in-Lindsey || [[No. 264 Squadron RAF|No. 264 Sqn]] (part)|| [[Boulton Paul Defiant]] || PS || || RAF Kirton-in-Lindsey || Sqn Ldr George Desmond Garvin
|-
| [[RAF Digby]] || [[No. 151 Squadron RAF|No. 151 Sqn]] || Hawker Hurricane || DZ|| || [[RAF Digby]] || 
|-
| RAF Digby || [[No. 611 Squadron RAF|No. 611 Sqn]] || Supermarine Spitfire || FY ||CHARLIE|| RAF Digby || Sqn Ldr Jim E McComb
|-
| RAF Digby || [[No. 29 Squadron RAF|No. 29 (Night Fighter) Sqn]] || [[Bristol Blenheim]] & [[Bristol Beaufighter]] || RO || || RAF Digby || Sqn Ldr Stan C Widdows
|-
| [[RAF Wittering]] || [[No. 1 Squadron RAF|No. 1 Sqn]] || Hawker Hurricane || JX || || [[RAF Wittering]] || Sqn Ldr David A Pemberton DFC
|-
| RAF Wittering || [[No. 266 Squadron RAF|No. 266 Sqn]] || Supermarine Spitfire || UO || || RAF Wittering || Flt Lt [[Patrick Jameson|Patrick Geraint Jameson DFC]]
|-
| [[RAF Church Fenton]] || [[No. 85 Squadron RAF|No. 85 Sqn]] || Hawker Hurricane || VY ||HYDRO|| [[RAF Church Fenton]] || [[Peter Townsend (Group Captain)|Sqn Ldr Peter Wooldridge Townsend DFC]]
|-
| RAF Church Fenton || [[No. 306 Polish Fighter Squadron|No. 306 (Polish) Sqn]] (part)|| Hawker Hurricane || UZ || || RAF Church Fenton || Sqn Ldr D R Scott
|-
| RAF Church Fenton || [[No. 64 Squadron RAF|No. 64 Sqn]] || Supermarine Spitfire || SH ||FREEMA|| [[RAF Leconfield]] / [[RAF Ringway]] || Sqn Ldr Don McDonell
|-
|'''13 Group'''|| || || || || ||
|-
| [[RAF Usworth]] || [[No. 54 Squadron RAF|No. 54 Sqn]] || [[Supermarine Spitfire]] || KL ||RABBIT|| [[RAF Catterick]] || Flt Lt F P R Dunworth
|-
| RAF Usworth || [[No. 219 Squadron RAF|No. 219 (Night Fighter) Sqn]] (part)|| [[Bristol Blenheim]] & [[Bristol Beaufighter]] || FK || || RAF Catterick || Sqn Ldr J H Little
|-
| RAF Usworth || [[No. 43 Squadron RAF|No. 43 Sqn]] || [[Hawker Hurricane]] || FT || || [[RAF Usworth]] || Sqn Ldr [[Thomas Dalton-Morgan|Tom F Dalton Morgan DFC]]
|-
| [[RAF Acklington]] || [[No. 32 Squadron RAF|No. 32 Sqn]] || Hawker Hurricane|| GZ ||JACKO|| [[RAF Acklington]] || Flt Lt Mike N Crossley
|-
| RAF Acklington || [[No. 219 Squadron RAF|No. 219 (Night Fighter) Sqn]] (part)|| Bristol Blenheim || FK || || RAF Acklington || Sqn Ldr J H Little
|-
| [[RAF Turnhouse]] || [[No. 3 Squadron RAF|No. 3 Sqn]] || Hawker Hurricane || QO || || [[RAF Turnhouse]] || Sqn Ldr S F Gooden
|-
| RAF Turnhouse || [[No. 65 Squadron RAF|No. 65 Sqn]] || Supermarine Spitfire || YT || || RAF Turnhouse || Sqn Ldr A L Holland
|-
| RAF Turnhouse || [[No. 141 Squadron RAF|No. 141 Sqn]] || [[Boulton Paul Defiant]] || TW || || RAF Turnhouse || Sqn Ldr W A Richardson
|-
| RAF Turnhouse || [[No. 111 Squadron RAF|No. 111 Sqn]] || Hawker Hurricane || JU ||WAGON|| [[RAF Drem]] || Sqn Ldr John M Thompson DFC
|-
| RAF Turnhouse || [[No. 263 Squadron RAF|No. 263 Sqn]] || Hawker Hurricane & [[Westland Whirlwind (fighter)|Westland Whirlwind]] || HE || || RAF Drem || Fg Off T P Pugh
|-
| [[RAF Dyce]] || [[No. 25 Squadron RAF|No. 145 Sqn]] || Hawker Hurricane || SO ||PATIN|| [[RAF Roborough]] || Sqn Ldr John R A Peel
|-
| [[RAF Wick]] || [[No. 232 Squadron RAF|No. 232 Sqn]] || Hawker Hurricane || EF || || RAF Roborough || [[Maurice Michael Stephens|Fg Off M M Stephens DFC & Bar]]
|-
| [[RAF Aldergrove]] || [[No. 245 Squadron RAF|No. 245 Sqn]] || Hawker Hurricane || DX || || RAF Roborough || Sqn Ldr E W Whitley DFC
|-
| [[RAF Biggin Hill]] || [[No. 610 Squadron RAF|No.610 Sqn]] || Supermarine Spitfire || DW || || [[RAF Biggin Hill]] || Sqn Ldr J Ellis DFC & Bar
|-
|}

==See also==
* [[RAF Fighter Command]]
* [[List of Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons]]
* [[List of Officially Accredited Battle of Britain Squadrons]]
* [[List of RAF aircrew in the Battle of Britain]]

==References==

===Notes===
{{reflist|}}

===Bibliography===
* Ramsay, Winston (editor). ''The Battle of Britain Then and Now Mk V''. London: Battle of Britain Prints International Ltd, 1989. {{ISBN|0-900913-46-0}}

==External links==
* [http://www.battle-of-britain.com/BoB2/Diary/Order/order_Luftwaffe.htm BattleofBritain.com]  - Retrieved: 4 August 2007.

[[Category:Battle of Britain]]
[[Category:World War II orders of battle]]