Читать книгу Engineering Hitler's Downfall - Gwilym Roberts - Страница 52

Radar

1935 Radio Research Station (RRS) scientists detect radio waves reflected from an aircraft 25 km distant. Government authorises further investigations.

1936 RRS moves to country house near Felixstowe, Essex.

1939 Chain of radar transmitting and receiving towers around the coast from the Solent to the Tay Estuary operational.

Dowding system for interpreting information received and controlling aircraft movements also operational.

1940 Chain extended to cover southwestern and western coastlines.

Battle of Britain (BoB)

1933 Air Ministry issues specification for new fighter aircraft.

Designing Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane fighters gets underway.

Rolls-Royce conduct first test run of Merlin aero-engine.

1937–38 First deliveries of Hurricanes and Spitfires to RAF.

1940 Dowding commander in chief of Fighter Command and Park in charge of No. 11 Group covering South East England.

10 Jul BoB commences with Luftwaffe sweeping over SE England but with RAF conserving resources.

1 Aug Hitler orders Luftwaffe ‘to destroy the British air force’.

8 Aug Luftwaffe begins attacks on RAF bases. RAF engages enemy.

15 Aug Main Luftwaffe attack repulsed by RAF.

Operation Sealion for invasion of UK postponed.

24 Aug Start of daytime raids on London

31 Oct BoB ends.

Nov, Dec Dowding succeeded by Sholto Douglas and Park by Leigh-Mallory.

THE BLITZ

7 Sep Day and night raids begin on London and South East England and continue for the next 57 days.

1 Nov Luftwaffe initiates concentrated night raids on London, ports and industrial targets (the Blitz).

14 Nov Major raid on Coventry.

1941 Night fighters fitted with AI radar.

1–7 May Major raids on Liverpool and Merseyside.

May Blitz ends as Luftwaffe units withdrawn in readiness for invasion of Russia.