Hugh Dowding Biography

Birth of Hugh Caswall Tremenheere Dowding

Hugh Dowding is born in Moffat, Scotland.

The future commander of RAF Fighter Command is born.

Appointed Commander of the Royal Flying Corps

Appointed Air Vice Marshal

Joins the Air Council

Appointed Air Marshal

Appointed Head of RAF Fighter Command

Integrates radar warning with Fighter Command control rooms.

Completes a national radar network linked to Fighter Command reporting centres.

Chain Home forms part of Britain's wartime air defence system.

The "Dowding system", a set of reporting chains to move information from the various observation points to the pilots in their fighters, named after its chief architect. Credited with winning the battle and made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath

When the Allied resistance collapsed, works closely with Air Vice Marshal Keith Park, the commander of 11 Fighter Group, in organizing cover for the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force at Dunkirk

Dowding, nicknamed "Stuffy" by his men, is unwilling to sacrifice aircraft and pilots in the attempt to aid Allied troops during the Battle of France

When the Allied resistance collapsed, works closely with Air Vice Marshal Keith Park, the commander of 11 Fighter Group, in organizing cover for the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force at Dunkirk

Credited with winning the battle and made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath

despite the objections of its commander Hugh Dowding that this left home defences under-strength, Churchill sent fighter squadrons to support operations in France,where the RAF suffered heavy losses

Despite the objections of its commander Hugh Dowding that this left home defences under-strength, Churchill sent fighter squadrons to support operations in France,where the RAF suffered heavy losses

Commands Fighter Command as the official Battle of Britain period begins.

Directs Britain's integrated fighter defence through the Dowding System.

Radar information helps Fighter Command conserve pilots and aircraft.

The "Dowding system", a set of reporting chains to move information from the various observation points to the pilots in their fighters, named after its chief architect

Combines radar, Observer Corps reports and command control for fighter interception.

Fighter Command filters radar reports into tracks for sector control rooms.

An offensive is discovered when the British use the enigma machine

Coordinates Fighter Command during one of the battle's largest air actions.

Moves limited squadrons carefully between threatened sectors.

The largest air Battle of this period. 5 major actions are fought but the Germans lose 76 to Britains 34 aircraft

Retaliation for the bombing of London. RAF bombers attack Berlin for the 1st time

RAF bombers attack Berlin for the 1st time, retaliation for the bombing of London

Dowding manages reserves as pressure on southern sector stations increases.

Fighter Command flies more than one thousand sorties during intense fighting.

Coordinates Fighter Command during the decisive September air battles.

The day's German losses undermine hopes of defeating Fighter Command.

Commands Fighter Command through the official final day of the Battle of Britain.

The Luftwaffe has failed to gain the air superiority required for invasion.

Air Chief Marshal Charles Portal removes Dowding from his post and replaces him with Sholto Douglas

Created Baron Dowding of Bentley Priory

Retires drom the RAF

At a memorial service at Westminster Abbey, his ashes were laid to rest below the Battle of Britain Memorial Window in the Royal Air Force chapel

Death of Hugh Caswall Tremenheere Dowding