234: The Battle After Britain Pt. 2 - Big Wings, Big Egos

History of the Second World War

Wesley Livesay

Society & Culture, Documentary, History

4.5 • 626 Ratings

🗓️ 24 September 2025

⏱️ 26 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

By the end of September 1940, the threat of German invasion had passed, but victory in the Battle of Britain sparked a bitter internal conflict within RAF Fighter Command. Air Vice-Marshal Keith Park of 11 Group, who had successfully defended southeastern England using small, quick-response fighter formations, found himself under attack from Air Vice-Marshal Leigh-Mallory of 12 Group, who advocated for "Big Wing" tactics—concentrating multiple squadrons into large formations. This strategic disagreement, fueled by inflated victory claims and personal ambitions, ultimately led to the removal of both Hugh Dowding, head of Fighter Command, and Park himself in late 1940. Despite their crucial roles in Britain's survival during the summer of 1940, these architects of victory were cast aside just as the threat they had defeated was transforming into the night bombing campaign of the Blitz. Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to advertise on History of the Second World War. History of the Second World War is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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1:15.8	The History of the Second World War, episode 234.
1:19.6	After the Battle of Britain Part 2, Big Wings, Big Egos.
1:24.7	This week, a big thank you goes out to Sam and Bob for supporting the podcast by
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1:33.1	plus special member-only episodes roughly once a month. Head on over to History of the
1:37.2	Second World War.com slash members to find out more. By the end of September, the greatest
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