No. 11 Group RAF

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No. 11 Group was a group in the Royal Air Force for various periods in the 20th century.

1 Origins
- 1.1 World War 1
- 1.2 Interwar years
2 World War 2
3 Postwar
4 Commanders
5 Reference

[edit] Origins

[edit] World War 1

No. 11 Group was first formed on 1 April 1918 in No. 2 Area, and was transferred to South-Western Area the next month on 8 May.

[edit] Interwar years

11 Group's short first existence came to an end on 17 May 1918, when it was disbanded. Its next incarnation was later the same year when it was formed in North-Western Area on 22 August. Two years later, in May 1920, No. 11 Group was reduced to No. 11 Wing.

On 14 July 1936, 11 Group became the first RAF Fighter Command Group formed with the responsibility for the air defense of South-West England and London.

[edit] World War 2

[edit] Organisation

11 Group was organised using the Dowding System of fighter control. Group Headquarters was at RAF Uxbridge from here 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: RAF Kenley Sector C: RAF Biggin Hill Sector D: RAF Hornchurch Sector E: RAF North Weald Sector F: RAF Debden Sector Y: RAF Middle Wallop Sector Z: RAF Northolt

[edit] The Battle of Britain

11 Group's most famous period was during the Battle of Britain when, due to its position, 11 Group bore the brunt of the German aerial assault. Pilots posted to squadrons in 11 Group knew that they would be sent into certain action while pilots and squadrons transferring out of 11 Group knew that they were going to comparatively safer duty.

[edit] WW2 Commanders

During the Battle of Britain, 11 Group was commanded by Air Vice Marshal Keith Park.

While fully supported by the Commanders (AOCs) of 10 Group and 13 Group, he only received lukewarm support from the AOC of 12 Group, Air Vice Marshal Trafford Leigh-Mallory, who disagreed with Park's tactics and wanted the 11 Group AOC position. This controversy caused problems for Park, and when the Battle of Britain was finally over, Leigh-Mallory, acting with Air Marshal Sholto Douglas, managed to have Park removed from his position (along with the Commander-In- Chief of Fighter Command, Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding). Leigh-Mallory then took over 11 Group.

[edit] Postwar

Following the war, 11 Group continued to be a key formation within Fighter Command. However, in 1960 there was a rationalisation of Fighter Command, and 11 Group was disbanded. However, it reformed later the same year when No. 13 Group was renamed to No. 11 Group. On 1 April 1963 the Group was renamed No. 11 (Northern) Sector. This incarnation lasted until Fighter Command was absorbed into the new Strike Command in 1968.

11 Group lasted until 1996, when it was amalgamated with No. 18 Group to form No. 11/18 Group.