No. 11 Group RAF

No. 11 Group was a group in the Royal Air Force for various periods in the 20th century, finally disbanding in 1996. Its most famous service was during 1940 when it defended London and the south-east against the attacks of the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain.

History

World War I

No. 11 Group was first formed on 1 April 1918 in No. 2 Area as No. 11 (Equipment) Group, and was transferred to South-Western Area the next month on 8 May. 11 Group's short first existence came to an end on 17 May 1918, when it was disbanded.

Interwar years

The next incarnation of the Group was later the same year when it was formed in North-Western Area on 22 August. On 6 February 1920 Group Captain I M Bonham-Carter took command. Three months later, in May 1920, No. 11 Group was reduced to No. 11 Wing.

It was reformed on 1 May 1936 as No. 11 (Fighter) Group by renaming Fighting Area. On 14 July 1936, 11 Group became the first RAF Fighter Command group formed, with the responsibility for the air defence of southern England, including London.

Second World War

11 Group was organised using the Dowding System of fighter control. Group Headquarters was at RAF Uxbridge; from the underground Operations Room (now known as the Battle of Britain Bunker) commands were passed to the sector airfields, each of which was in charge of several airfields and fighter squadrons. The sector airfields were:

• Sector A: RAF Tangmere
• Sector B:......
...

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