On This Day – 24th April

On this day in 1882, Sir Hugh Dowding was born.  The system of air defence he created, the Dowding System, was instrumental in the Battle of Britain, integrating ground-based defence systems such as antiaircraft guns with Allied aircraft and methods to detect incoming enemy planes.

Radar was an essential link in this defence, allowing the outnumbered RAF to rapidly locate and engage enemy aircraft.  Although Dowding later fell out of favour with those in charge of the Air Ministry, the system he designed and implemented was vital for Britain’s defence.