RAF Northolt

Posted: 16/02/2015

Bromsgrove's RAF cadets enjoyed their day out on Tuesday, 10th February and it was a privilege for Mr Bowen to accompany them.

The bunker at Uxbridge is the last ‘situation room’ remaining from the Battle of Britain. First seeing a Hurricane and Spitfire outside, the group of pupils descended deep into the earth through a non-descript entrance to the basement. Here was the original map of Northern France, the Channel and Southern England with the well-known scene – members of the WAAF (they were always women) moving blocks to plot squadron movements, the remarkable tote board behind with the airfields and many states of alert, readiness or combat (all lighting up at different stages), the weather and coloured clock.

The guide was outstanding in his explanation of the highly complex procedures and our cadets learnt a great deal, such as it taking 16 minutes from an order to scramble for a Spitfire to reach 20,000 feet and though it had fuel for an hour it had ammunition for just 14 seconds which compared badly with its opponent. It was here that Churchill stood and asked Dowding “How many reserves do we have?” and back came the famous reply “None Prime Minister.” Churchill on that day was accompanied by his Chief of Staff General Ismay whose father came to Bromsgrove. After the War Ismay was Guest Speaker at Commemoration.