Battle of Britain Operations Room, RAF Northolt
A group of re-enactors are shown here with the room set up as if the three squadrons based on RAF Northolt were intercepting incoming raids. WAAFs around the plotting board move markers on a map of southern England showing the positions of aircraft. The "Tote board" on the wall has lights to show the status of the three Northolt fighter squadrons in action (RCAF 1 Sqn Canadian, RAF 229 Sqn and 303 Sqn Polish). In front of the Tote board control panel (the coloured dials) is the Ops B officer. The Sector Controller is sitting in the pulpit with the green phone.
Recently, I visited the newly restored Operations Room at RAF Northolt in West London. This is housed in a truly historic building, now known as the Sir Keith Park building, that was saved from demolition in the early 2000s. Since the building was saved, a team of volunteers has lovingly restored the Ops Room to its original condition. The restoration has been continuing for well over a decade: it is now at the point where it is essentially complete. The project was led from the beginning by Phil Dawe, who was awarded an MBE for his work.
With a small group of other photographers, I visited the room about 3 weeks ago. The event was run in collaboration with COAP, and I should mention the ever-enthusiastic Steve Comber who MC'd everything.
[Parenthetically: A significant part of the funding for the restoration has come from a series of Northolt Nightshoots: since the first one in Jan 2009, 30 of these shoots have raised funds. I was at the first one and have been to the majority since. I've put some pictures from a few of the Nightshoots I've been to on Flickr.]
A variously motley group of photographers gathers outside the Sir Keith Park building that houses the Ops Room.
During the Battle of Britain in 1940, RAF Northolt in west London** was a sector station, operating fighter Squadrons. The restoration sets the Ops Room as of the 15th Sept 1940 (what we now know of as Battle of Britain Day, the turning point of the battle) when the Hurricanes of RCAF 1 Sqn Canadian, RAF 229 Sqn and 303 Sqn (Polish) and Defiant night fighters of 264 (B) Sqn were stationed there.
We had 18 re-enactors for the day to bring the Ops Room to life. As with all re-enactors, they were tremendously well-informed about their roles, and took great care with their uniforms. In particular, it was great to have a Polish re-enactor with Polish rank markers on his jacket lapel and the word Poland on his shoulder. This was a great recognition of the importance of the Polish pilots who flew from Northolt.
I think the pictures below tell the story, so any more explanation I'll put in the captions.
A great day, and tremendously informative in understanding how operations were managed. With grateful thanks to all involved, especially Phil Dawe, without whom none of this...
FWIW, all the pictures were taken by available light and hand-held. I used the Sony 16-35 f/2.8GM, Sony 35mm f/1.8, Sigma 50mm f/2 Contemporary and Sony 85mm f/1.8 with the Sony A1, with my iPhone as second camera.
**I've just been reading Slightly out of focus, the WWII-period memoir by Robert Capa. At one point, he flew on a transport aircraft back to Northolt from France and described it as "20 miles from London". Nowadays, it is inside the M25 and well into the ULEZ, just another part of London. How 80 years changes perspectives.
Detail of the plotting board, showing my neck of the woods. 303 and 229 Squadrons are over about Tonbridge as three raids come in.
The tote board and clock. The tote shows the state of the four Northolt squadrons, indicated by a light. 229 and 303 are intercepting raids, while 1 in its patrol position. The 264 (B) night fighter pilots are released (presumably until nightfall).
Controllers look over the plotting board. WAAFs move markers on the board to show the progress of raids and interceptions.
Controller at work
Messages for/from each squadron come into a little room behind the control area. The is 303 Sqn room (call sign APANY shown on the window)
Teleprinter Operator at work
A deeply intimidating service police sergeant blocks unauthorised access to the Ops Room
Details: one of the fascinating things about the Ops Room is all the small details that have been so exactly reassembled. The summary raid details corresponds to the markers on the plotting board shown above.
Details: air raid warden 'W' tin hat
WAAF re-enactor Maddie. She was kind enough to pose for a portrait. Not the correctly slung gas mask satchel (she was helped to get it straight by the others) and the tin mug. I've put a monochrome version of this on Flickr.
Polish officer re-enactor. The flashes on his lapels are Polish rank markings, note also the shoulder Poland patch.
The plotting board
Northolt was bombed as the Luftwaffe attempted to knock out the RAF airfields.
And finally ... I said to Phil Dawe that "I've photographed everyone except you! Could I get a picture?" With a laugh he found coffee and tea pots and posed in the doorway to the building.