BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM
INTERPRETATION PLAN January 2016 CONTENTS
1. OBJECTIVES 3
2. VISION 4
3. INTERPRETIVE APPROACH 6
4. TARGET AUDIENCES 7
5. POSITIONING 10
6. EXHIBITION AREAS 12
7. THEMES AND NARRATIVE 15
8. KEY MESSAGES AND LEARNING OUTCOMES 17
9. VISITOR EXPERIENCE 31
10. SAMPLE CONTENT 35
11. SCRIPT STRATEGY 40
12. MEDIA STRATEGY 41
APPENDICES 42
APPENDIX I – AUDIENCE CONSULTATION REPORT 43 APPENDIX II – SUPPORTING RESEARCH 56 APPENDXI III – CONTENT PLAN 88
BIBLIOGRAPHY 94
BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 2 OBJECTIVES
The Interpretation Plan complements other elements of the strategic vision being developed by the team at Bromley Council. The dual priorities of the Biggin Hill is the most famous of all the Interpretation Plan are to represent the unique stories of the site accurately centres of the Battle of Britain and the and effectively, and to help visitors to get as much enjoyment and learning memory of its role is etched deeply in our from them as possible. history. This stretch of flattened fields and The new museum will: conglomeration of huts, barracks, administration buildings, hangars and • Create a space that represents what is unique about the history and stories surrounding the chapel, Biggin Hill airfield and Biggin Hill itself in workshops is something rather special. It is an engaging and enjoyable way the heart of our very existence as a nation. • Have a broad mix of interpretive techniques, engaging people through a variety of learning styles Bob Ogley 1990: 154 • Appeal to the emotions, help people to empathise and present relatable stories. This will help people to make connections to their own lives and see those who fought in the World Wars and those who worked to support that military action as relatable people. It will encourage them Biggin Hill Memorial Museum will be a new museum at the site of St to consider remembrance and war as living, relevant issues George’s Chapel, Biggin Hill. • Have the ability to refresh stories in a way that is appropriate to relevant content, costs, likely available resources and visitor appetite As well as a new building, the heritage site will encompass St George’s • Have a considered tone of voice that is appropriate for a site with a Chapel; a working chapel built in memorial to the ‘Few’ who fought in the memorial function Battle of Britain. The chapel has a memorial garden and the site will have • Present these stories freshly in a way that feels modern, dynamic and sight lines to the airfield. The site is not currently a tourist destination, and elegant attracts a small number of specialist visitors. The chapel is active, and conducts services each weekend. Throughout this plan, Barker Langham will refer to key pieces of research as supporting evidence for the thinking. These are indicated within the text, as The new museum will pull all of these threads together coherently and follows: sensitively. It will appeal to new audiences and encourage return visits from a local audience. < Audience consultation, General Users > < Best practice visits, Bentley Priory >
BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 3 VISION
Tangible heritage:
Biggin Hill; inspiring generations, • Biggin Hill is one of the oldest aerodromes in Britain remembering the Few and honouring the and is still in use. Many original buildings and structures Many. from the Second World War and before remain. In 1993 the London Borough of Bromley designated Biggin Hill a Conservation Area • St George’s Chapel is Grade II listed and is an excellent example of the post Second World War era church Mission design pioneered by Sir Edward Maufe The chapel has high artistic interest including a Gathering, protecting and making known the stories of Biggin Hill • and communicating its significant role in shaping the modern world. collection of exceptional stained glasses windows by Hugh Easton Overarching Message • The chapel and museum provide an important place A key overarching message is: for worship and acts as a site of remembrance to those who served in the Battle of Britain. ‘Ordinary people; extraordinary lives’ Intangible heritage: Other key stories include: • Major innovations in aviation telecommunications • A local story with global impact including radar were developed at Biggin Hill prior to • Many people working towards the same goal changed history the Second World War • During the Battle of Britain, Biggin Hill witnessed some Statement of Significance of the most significant aerial battles in history, with Biggin Hill played a pivotal part in altering the course of the Second famous fighter pilots engaged in daily combat in the World War through its role in the Battle of Britain. Today Biggin Hill’s skies above South East England and on the ground, story and heritage stands testament to its internationally crucial role occasions of great bravery by many during the war and the site remains an icon for local, national and • The chapel’s history is testament to the sentiment of international audiences. national pride and remembrance having been funded by the public through a campaign led by Winston Churchill
BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 4 Visitors Primary target audiences are:
• Families • Schools • Retired and older audiences (local and from further afield)
It is also important that the museum meet the needs of secondary audiences, namely:
• Local people within Biggin Hill and, more widely, within the Borough of Bromley • Visitors from the South East, particularly those with an interest in related heritage sites, such as Chartwell or Battle of Britain memorials and museums • Tourists on a heritage trail that includes Chartwell or related Battle of Britain sites • World War Two veterans who want to revisit the station where they served • Relatives of people who served and/or died at Biggin Hill; people whose service is commemorated in the chapel • People from various countries who had nationals in squadrons that served at Biggin Hill • Local people who support regeneration and have pride in their area • Volunteers • International and national tourists.
While the museum should appeal to those that have specialist knowledge and/or were alive during the Battle of Britain, it should also engage those who have little prior knowledge of the site or this conflict.
BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 5 INTERPRETIVE APPROACH
Engagement Pacing The aim of the interpretation will be to help visitors to engage with the key Careful thought will be given to the pacing of the story and display at Biggin narratives at Biggin Hill Memorial Museum. It will encourage an empathetic Hill Memorial Museum to maximise engagement and minimise fatigue. response to familiar stories, help visitors to have a broader and deeper understanding of those stories and reveal untold or rarely told narratives. The The museum will layer stories, allowing for more detailed investigation for museum will emphasise the uniqueness of these stories to Biggin Hill, their those who are less hurried. Interpretation will be varied so that there is a importance to Britain’s national story and their continuing relevance today. good mix of learning and engagement styles and changes of pace
BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 6 TARGET AUDIENCES
Scope of Consultation • Teachers (primary and secondary) Consultation with a broad range of audience groups has been carried out as • Friends of the Chapel part of the interpretive planning process (see Appendix I). These sessions • International visitors were used to explore existing knowledge of Biggin Hill and appetite for the stories that the museum has to tell, and to explore key strategic questions Consultation has revealed some key issues that the project team has used to surrounding the presentation of stories at Biggin Hill Memorial Museum. inform and test our ideas. Consultation also explored and discussed visiting habits and potential visitor experience at the new museum. Content and Interpretive Approach There is, unsurprisingly, a huge variety of existing knowledge. Some young Inevitably, different target audiences – and indeed different individuals within people who are still in the school system have a reasonably strong awareness target audience groups – will have varying levels of interest and engagement of the Battle of Britain, the Second World War and interwar period being and conflicting opinions about what is important. The role of audience covered by year 9 and GSCE syllabuses
• General audiences In terms of the focus and scope of the content, groups emphasised the • Air Cadets importance of personal stories and first hand accounts, commenting that, ‘the • Local heritage stakeholders smallness of the space could emphasise the personal stories‘ and that ‘hearing • Friends of the Chapel it directly makes it so much more powerful’
BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 7 comparable sites specifically to see physical collections of warplanes Tone of Voice Using different layers to appeal to different audiences (repeating elements of Though there may be clashes with the expectations of some older audience the story across layers if necessary) was seen as a useful way to connect with groups, the museum must be careful to present people as real, complex different interest and age groups BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 8 The museum’s stories must resonate strongly with a local audience. The presentation and publicity should also challenge any potential preconceptions of those further afield that the museum is ‘not for them’, and opportunities to stress that the story is local in its focus but national in its significance will be sought. Interpretation should emphasise that Biggin Hill’s stories involved the best thinkers of the time, with military strategies and fighting that defended Britain as a whole, and with potential dramatic consequences at a national level if they had failed. The stakes were high and things could have been very different. The museum will tell human and personal stories as an appealing contrast to the traditional military or technical content of other sites. Maximising connections to related sites and making good use of a network of linked attractions will also be an important part of the broader strategic approach to partnerships and marketing. BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 9 POSITIONING Biggin Hill Memorial Museum sits within a number of networks of related Biggin Hill Memorial Chapel sites and attractions. It is part of a group of Battle of Britain memorials and 9 1 museums that cluster around Kent and the South East, as well as part of the RAF Museum Hendon group of former RAF stations, again in the South East. It also fits into a group 2 RAF Northolt of museums or memorials that cover RAF stories. 4 3 RAF Uxbridge 1 2 3 4 The Bentley Priory Museum More broadly, it fits into networks of military museums and small museums with a strong, local story. 5 Shoreham Aircraft Museum 6 10 5 Kent Battle of Britain Musuem 8 The story of the Battle of Britain is told in a number of places, often in a 7 Battle of Britain Memorial similar way; usually focusing on the ‘Few’ pilots who defended Britain < Best 8 RAF Manston Spitfre & 6 Practice Visits, RAF Hendon, IWM Duxford, Bentley Priory >. Other 7 Hurricane Memorial Museum museums also tend to focus on the technical and aviation aspects of the 9 RAF Wyton story. What will set the Biggin Hill Memorial Museum apart from the others is 10 three-fold: Farnborough Air Sciences Trust Museum RAF and other relevant sites in South-East England • Telling the story of the Many, not just the Few – all of the people who were involved, not only the pilots. The chapel is a memorial and the museum will remember and tell the stories, not only of the pilots who lost their lives, but others - ground crew, local people - and not only those who died, but also those who served, suffered or made 05 sacrifices • Telling a place-specific story. The Battle of Britain happened in the skies above Biggin Hill and closely involved a broad swathe of the local community • Telling stories from the point of view of people, rather than technology. The museum will tell the story of this place and these people. The following pages show how Biggin Hill sits within a series of interconnected landscapes and sites, from the RAF Museums of South East England to the more intimate surroundings of the Biggin Hill Airfield, with its many historic landmarks. This positioning lends itself to a number of thematic trails, and partnerships across the region. BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 10 Historic landmarks around the Biggin Hill airfield Key heritage sites in Bromley, Kent and surrounding areas BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 11 EXHIBITION AREAS Visitor Flow The site at St George’s Chapel will encompass the new museum, the chapel, the grounds, the memorial garden and a flexible space that will include a retail and cafe offer. The principles of the organisation of the site include: • The broader heritage site will encompass the chapel as well as the new museum • Interpretation will permeate ticketed and non-ticketed areas of the site, and both internal and external areas • Visitor flow needs to accommodate the chapel sometimes being closed to museum visitors • There should be the ability to partition off an area of the retail/cafe space for events or activities. Above all else, this area should be flexible, and encompass many different possible uses • Visitors without tickets should be able to enter the cafe, and visitors to the chapel should be able to arrive and leave without entering the museum, if they so wish. BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 12 Display Areas The display area will be zoned according to themes, beginning with Innovation and Experiment, followed by Bravery, and finishing with a linking display on Remembering. Different areas of the museum site will offer a variety of pace and levels of interpretation. Some areas will have a lighter touch of information, others will be more experiential and others will have a museum display with a higher density of interpretation. This will enable a variety of visitor experience and different degrees of interpretive intervention (the chapel having minimal intervention, since it is a working place of worship). These interpretative zones are: • Display – object display, AV and handling objects, supported by hand-held digital interpretation • Hand held interpretation – paper trails and hand held interpretation only • Experiential – minimal text, scene setting, projection and sound. BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 13 Flexible Space Rather than a dedicated temporary exhibition space, the flexible space in the cafe / retail area can encompass temporary displays – stories that are fascinating and fit our overall communication vision, but are not part of our core display. These could be: • Community engagement displays or displays developed with veterans • Work with youth groups or young people • Contemporary creative displays including art and photography • Displays highlighting key people connected to Biggin Hill as focus exhibitions, especially those with broad appeal, such as Dowding or Churchill • Displays which reveal some of the processes of being in the RAF such as Officer Selection, maximising opportunities to engage school audiences and young people • Opportunities for receiving touring exhibitions from other smaller museums • Possibilities for developing temporary displays in partnership with other museums or heritage centres It could also host activities, such as lectures and film screenings, and function as an Event space, available for private hire. BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 14 THEMES AND NARRATIVE Approach The museum will have a thematic story organised logically through time that Biggin Hill is rich with stories with a broad sweep of historic importance, as is centred on Biggin Hill’s part in the Battle of Britain in World War Two. well as national, personal and emotional relevance. It’s vital that the story has coherence and that it focuses on stories that are important to the site. Smaller museums and attractions without the benefit of a huge collection or the virtue of ‘completeness’ can sometimes find combining these two ambitions a challenge. We recommend drawing out the most important, site-specific stories, using contextual, broader stories in a targeted way, and looking for threads that draw all of these narratives together. The museum team should also look for stories with emotional resonance and the potential to ask bigger societal questions, raising the approach and intellectual ambitions above the cliché of the ‘little local museum’, while keeping that important local narrative focus and community connection. We have provided a separate research and content document. Our story is drawn from this and ties together the most important and unique aspects of the narrative scope. Narrative The sweep of stories, clustered around the two World Wars, wireless technology and the RAF, are broad. However, they can be drawn together into a narrative that is about innovation, bravery and remembering. This is the story of the impact of the two World Wars on Biggin Hill, and how this very special place became a key part in protecting London and Britain. It is a story of hard work, courage and community, and remarkable technological experimentation. The story would be told from the point of view of those who took part in it; a diverse group that includes women, and men of many different nationalities. It tells the story of military courage, but also of the everyday bravery of those who supported the Royal Air Force, and the engineers and technical staff whose thinking and breakthroughs saved lives. BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 15 The Museum’s interpretation will focus on the human stories behind the Remembering activity at Biggin Hill – the bravery, the innovation and tactics, and the intense, The museum will remember the bravery of those who lived as well as those behind the scenes work that supported the fighter pilots involved in the two who died. The interpretation should consider the vital importance of what World Wars. What can we learn from these people and how should we they did and the consequences that we might be living with now if they had remember them? failed. The museum will ask how we can continue to pass on these memories to future generations and where our responsibility as a society lies in Themes remembering and in learning from events like these. The museum will tell the story of Biggin Hill, spanning both World Wars and the inter-war period, and the building of the chapel. There will be a focus on The interpretation will consider how we remember, considering different the themes of innovation & experiment, bravery and remembering, and a embodiments of this function, from the Memorial Garden to the 1943 Pathé thread that runs across all of them and links them will be people and place. short film about the Battle of Britain. Innovation and Experiment People and Place Biggin Hill was a centre of innovation in wireless technology during World The museum will also consider the importance of the relationship between War One and a centre of technical experimentation between the wars. Biggin Hill village and airfield. The museum will tell anecdotal, local stories, Intense, behind the scenes planning and activity before and during the Second share personal recollections and bring every story back to the place where it World War was behind the successes of the Battle of Britain. Who were happened. This linking thread will encompass: these thinkers? What was the reality of their work? • The people of the airfield Bravery • The people of Biggin Hill village and the area All of the stories will be told from the point of view of the people behind • The place of the airfield them. And those stories will include everyone who had a role to play – not • The place of Biggin Hill village and area just the fighter pilots, but the strategists, the engineers, the women in the airforce, the back room staff and the local community whose lives were Language and Tone of Voice changed by this national story happening on their doorsteps. The museum will emphasise the idea of bravery over the concept of heroism and avoid militaristic or triumphalist language. This should feel real and urgent to people who were born many years later. The interpretation should not dilute this incredible story by making it about archetypes rather than specific people. BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 16 KEY MESSAGES AND LEARNING OUTCOMES Terms Key messages are the main pieces of information that the museum will aim to communicate. Learning outcomes are the individual points of understanding the museum will aim for visitors to take away with them. Curriculum links can be drawn across a number of subjects and across Key Stages 1, 2, 3 and 4. There will also be opportunities for cross-curricula activities. Overall Communication Vision • That these people, at that time and in that place played a part Biggin Hill’s contribution to the Battle of Britain • What the potential consequences might have been if Biggin Hill had not been a successful fighter station • The particularities of Biggin Hill’s people, geography and location that made it ‘The Strongest Link’ • The contributions of ‘the Many’ in Biggin Hill to the Battle of Britain, as well as ‘the Few’ • That people were prepared to risk their lives in pursuit of a common goal • The contribution of the different people who served including different nationalities, and women. BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 17 1. Introductory Zone Curriculum links: Key messages: • History • Citizenship • Biggin Hill is one of Britain’s oldest aerodromes • The site still operates as an aerodrome and has an important national memorial in its chapel • Biggin Hill’s early association with aviation is owed to its elevated situation • It was at Biggin Hill that the army’s air defence unit was established, where early pre-radar dishes were constructed, where night flying was perfected and where three operational squadrons were billeted to help protect London and the South East during the Second World War. Learning outcomes: • Understand the key importance of Biggin Hill in aviation innovation and in air defence during the World Wars, and in particular its role in the Battle of Britain of the Second World War • Value Biggin Hill’s role in the past and appreciate the importance of keeping that heritage alive • Enjoy the introductory exhibit and feel inspired to explore the rest of the museum. RAF Biggin Hill in 1941. Extensive damage from bombing raids can be seen as white scars in the ground. © Historic England RAF Photography BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 18 2. Innovation and Experiment Zone 2.1 Wireless technology Key messages: Curriculum links: • Though wireless telegraphy from an aeroplane had been achieved as • History early as 1910, wireless telephony would enable the instantaneous • Science transmission of speech over a useful range with the minimum of • Design and Technology effort By February 1917, the Wireless Testing Park at Biggin Hill was ready to continue its important work of research and development. A priority task was the perfection of a practical and operational system of air-to-air telephony • Air-to-air wireless telephony presaged a revolution in aerial tactics; for the very first time a flight commander could speak to his pilots throughout an action, giving orders that would be heard instantaneously • In 1917, soon after the fusion of the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Service into the RAF, the decision was made to concentrate all wireless research at Biggin Hill • By 1917, the Wireless Testing Park had grown to such an extent that it was accorded a more distinguished title, becoming the Wireless Experimental Establishment – WEE in short • The development of this technology was important internationally, with a party of officers from the U.S. Signals and Aviation Wireless Unit visiting Biggin Hill to learn about the research undertaken here. Learning outcomes: • Understand the vital important of wireless technology to aviation Appreciate the pivotal role that Biggin Hill played in this technological • Tuner Mark III (Receiver), c1918. Marconi Heritage Collection development • Acquire basic understanding of how the technologies worked. BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 19 2.2 Strategy and World War One Curriculum links: Key messages: • History • Science • Biggin Hill aerodrome occupied a unique position, guarding the • Design and Technology southern approaches to London, and was of great importance in the • Geography defence of the capital against air attack • Forced to take the shortest route to London because of their limited range, the German planes flew over the Wireless Testing Park at Biggin Hill. Searchlights were introduced, work was begun on sound locators and barrage fire became more accurate • On 18 May 1918, the Germans mounted their biggest raid of the war, amassing more than forty bombers against London. Squadron 141 was led to the raiders with reasonable accuracy by the sound detector system • Only on the clearest nights did the searchlight crews attempt to find the raiders by eye. The rest of the time they used sound. With eyes shut and stethoscopes clamped to their ears, the two operators of the sound detector on each site slowly rotated four massive trumpets, swivelling in pairs on the horizontal and vertical axes, until they picked up the beat of the aero-engines. Listening intently, they balanced the sound between their left and right ears until the two vibrations merged into a single intense pain in the centre of the forehead when they were on target. Learning outcomes: • Understand the importance of sound location technology in the aerial warfare of the First World War Sound Locator No 1 Mk 1. Imperial War Museum • Appreciate the scale of the attack against London in 1918 and the importance of the best thinking in countering it • Learn how to use sound to find targets. BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 20 2.3 Interwar Innovation Curriculum links: Key messages: • History • By the late 1920s the Night Flying Flight had developed a system of • Science huge acoustic concrete dishes and mirrors which were placed • Design and Technology strategically along the south and east coasts • The development of civil aviation depended largely on the progress made with aerial navigation, and this in turn depended largely on the progress made at Biggin Hill in developing and producing aeronautical instruments • The research programme was ambitious and embraced almost every branch of aviation except airframe and engine design. Its scope included aeronautical instruments and the safety and comfort of aircrews • High-speed cinematography was applied for the first time to aeronautical research. Pictures taken at a rate of 450 per second were projected at the standard (silent film) speed of sixteen per second, thus making possible the analysis of movements too rapid for the human eye to register • A series of fascinating experiments were carried out at Biggin Hill, forerunners of Ground Control Approach Radar, but using sound instead of radio waves • Radar, or Radio Direction Finding (RDF), as it was then called, progressed and aircraft were being tacked at a 40 miles range. Learning outcomes: • Understand the broad scope of interwar experimentation at Biggin Hill • Appreciate its vital importance to aviation more broadly Concrete sound mirrors near Dungeness, Kent. © Alamy • Locate Biggin Hill firmly in the centre of this important work • Acquire basic understanding of how the technologies worked. BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 21 2.4 Preparing for World War Two Curriculum links: Key messages: • History • Geography • When preparing for a potential war, Britain had calculated that the Germans would need at least 250 vessels to transport a force of about 100,000 men across the Channel. The most likely landing places were in an arc of Kent and Sussex between Dover and Brighton. Defending that part of England was No 11 Group of Fighter Command and Biggin Hill was a senior sector station • Winston Churchill and Sir Hugh Dowding played an important role in preparing Britain for war • By August 1939 Biggin Hill was already at a high state of preparedness, thanks to the foresight and energy of the Station Commander. Learning outcomes: • Recognise the place of Biggin Hill in the context of the Second World War • Understand that, contrary to popular myth, Britain was actively preparing for World War Two • Appreciate that Biggin Hill was a vital part of that preparation and value Biggin Hill’s place in world history. German map showing invasion plans for Britain. © Imperial War Museum BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 22 3. Bravery Zone Curriculum links: 3.1 World War Two and Biggin Hill • History Key messages: • Science • Design and Technology • 52 different squadrons flew under the colours of the Biggin Hill Wing during the Second World War. Hundreds of airmen were billeted there, some for just a day, others for many years • Biggin Hill is known for its importance in the Battle of Britain, defending London and the South East against German aircraft • But Biggin Hill played a vital role in the evacuation of Dunkirk in 1940 too. More than 338,000 British and Allied troops were rescued from defeat by the Royal Navy and a flotilla of little boats. The Hurricanes from Biggin Hill played their part by constantly patrolling the skies and keeping the German planes at bay. Learning outcomes: • Understand that though Biggin Hill is best known for the Battle of Britain, its importance to the war was broader than this • Be inspired by the idea that Biggin Hill holds the stories of so many individual airmen and feel motivated to find out more about them in the museum. A flight of Supermarine Spitfire Mk VBs of No. 92 Squadron RAF in line with engines running at Biggin Hill. © Imperial War Museum BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 23 3.2 The Battle of Britain and The Few • Sunday, September 15, 1940, celebrated each year as Battle of Britain Day, was a climax to the aerial assault of Great Britain. Just a Key messages: month earlier the German air force was confident of winning against the RAF. Two days later, Hitler issued the signal which postponed • When the Battle of Britain was about to begin, Churchill warned the invasion of Britain that, ’if we fail, the whole world, including the United States, including • The people of Biggin Hill’s stories are important in understanding this all that we have known and care for, will sink into the abyss of a new key moment in Britain’s history Dark Age, made more sinister by the lights of a perverted science.’ • Between July and mid-August 1940 the ‘battle’ turned out to be a Learning outcomes: series of deadly aerial skirmishes above the skies of southern Britain • The south-east corner of England saw the greatest action during the • Understand that the Battle of Britain took place over months, not on ‘Spitfire Summer’ of 1940, because it was the closest area to a single day Luftwaffe bases in continental Europe • Understand that the Battle of Britain didn’t end the war, but it was a • The development of radar meant that the RAF was able to intercept decisive moment that changed the course of the conflict raiders soon after they crossed the Channel • Appreciate the perceived scale of the threat as the Battle of Britain • During the first few weeks of the battle there had been a growing approached realisation on the part of the German High Command of the • Be surprised by the scale of the onslaught importance of Britain’s chain of stations housing Radio Direction • Understand the consequences of the victory and consider the Finding equipment (RDF or Radar) possible outcomes if Britain had been defeated • Thursday August 15 is a day that will always be associated with Biggin • Value the bravery of those involved in the battle in the air and start Hill and the Battle of Britain. It was the day the Luftwaffe sent over to appreciate what that must have felt like for them. 1800 aircraft in five massive assaults with the intention of putting every airfield out of action. It was the day the RAF scrambled its Curriculum links: greatest ever number of fighters to meet a single enemy operation – some 150 Hurricanes and Spitfires right across Southern England • History • During this memorable Thursday, all 21 of 11 Group Squadrons • Science were in action and some, like 32 Squadron, were scrambled three Design and Technology times. Against these massive odds the RAF lost 34 fighters and shot • down 182 enemy aircraft BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 24 3.3 The WAAF Curriculum links: Key messages: • History • When war was declared an appeal for recruits for the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force was broadcast by the BBC and from all walks of life hundreds of women immediately volunteered. Biggin Hill welcomed its first recruits during the autumn of 1939 • Following a raid on Biggin Hill, Sergeant Joan Elizabeth Mortimer was manning the switchboard in the armoury and refused to move although she was surrounded by tons of high explosives. The bombing became heavier but the WAAF Sergeant ignored the danger and continued to relay vital messages around the defence posts. As the raiders departed but before the All Clear sounded Sergeant Mortimer walked and ran around the airfield with a bundle of red flags. Where a bomb had not exploded she placed a flag nearby. Biggin Hill was like a minefield and the aircraft, still airborne, needed to know where to land. A bomb exploded nearby, winding her and for a while she could not walk • For her courage and coolness Elizabeth Mortimer won the Military Medal, one of three to be awarded to WAAFs at Biggin Hill that summer - Elspeth Henderson and Helen Turner also received medals. Learning outcomes: Understand the role of the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force in the war • Sergeant Joan E Mortimer, Flight Officer Elspeth C Henderson and Sergeant Helen E Turner, and at Biggin Hill recipients of the Military Medal for gallantry, standing outside damaged buildings at Biggin Hill. • Be inspired by the stories of WAAF’s awarded medals at Biggin Hill © Imperial War Museum • Enjoy hearing about the bravery of the WAAF and relate to their stories. BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 25 3.4 The Many Curriculum links: Key messages: • History • Science • Many worked behind the scenes. The fitters, mechanics, controllers, • Design and Technology drivers, administrators, caterers, civilian personnel and WAAF all played their part in winning the war • Citizenship • When the airfield was heavily bombed, an emergency Operations Room was improvised in a village shop where the controllers and plotters carried on with the aid of a school blackboard and chalks until such time as a requisitioned country house, ‘Towerfields’, was converted into a new Operations Block • The people of Biggin Hill village and the wider area also played a significant role in the war effort during this period, helping to house WAAF’s for example, or providing refreshments for off duty aircrew • Throughout the Battle of Britain, while pilots were celebrating their victories, there was plenty of activity at Biggin Hill. Engineers and ground crew in the hangars were busy patching up damaged Spitfires and Hurricanes. There were holes to plug with wax, hydraulics to fix and magic grease to be applied. The Controller wanted two complete squadrons by dawn the next day, so the men worked all night, snatching sleep in the hangar whenever they could. Learning outcomes: • Understand that, although the Battle of Britain is famous for the Few fighter pilots, the Many who supported them were vitally important too • Enjoy hearing the stories of the individuals who supported the Battle of Britain • Learn how to identify enemy aircraft • Appreciate just how much behind the scenes hard work contributed to military victory. Ground staff re-arm a Hawker Hurricane Mk I of No. 32 Squadron at Biggin Hill, August 1940. © Imperial War Museum BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 26 3.5 An International Team Curriculum links: Key messages: • History • Citizenship • International pilots joined the RAF for many reasons. They were needed because Britain’s own supply of aircrew was dwindling as the war continued • In July 1940 32 Squadron welcomed three Polish airmen to Biggin Hill. Pilot Officers Pfeiffer, Wlasnowalski and Pniak, better known as Fifi, Vodka and Cognac • Squadron Leader Raymond Duke-Woolley, who commanded 124 flew in to Biggin Hill on November 17, 1941 with one of the most cosmopolitan squadrons ever assembled. Its pilots included Belgians, French, Czechoslovakians, Norwegians, Australians and Canadians • Each of these pilots had their own backgrounds, their own stories to tell, and their own reasons for joining the RAF. Learning outcomes: • Understand that the team at Biggin Hill was an international one • Enjoy hearing about their stories and feel inspired by them. Group Captain ‘Sailor’ Malan of South Africa talking to FS Vincent Bunting at Biggin Hill, January 1943. © RAF Museum BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 27 3.6 Scrambling Curriculum links: Key messages: • History • Citizenship • Many pilots were inexperienced and would have had minimal training • Pilots waiting to scramble would wait in the dispersal hut, playing games, listening to music or chatting to pass the time • The scramble was the final point in a chain of communication that went from observation and RDF through Sector Command and onto the individual Fighter Stations • The casual pictures of pilots lying on the ground, lounging in deck chairs or playing cards in the sunshine belies the real tension of those hours waiting for a scramble • The atmosphere at the dispersal was often electric and tempers would frequently flare. On occasions a pilot would disappear behind the hut to retch and heave but when the moment came he would sprint to his aircraft, clip on his parachute and climb into the cockpit. Learning outcomes: • Understand that the ‘scramble’ was the call instructing pilots into the air to fight, and was the result of a complex chain of defensive commuincation • Appreciate the many emotions that the waiting men would have experienced • Empathise with the waiting pilots and realise just how brave they must have been to undertake this dangerous and high-stakes action. Biggin Hill Scramble Bell. RAF Museum BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 28 4. Remembering Zone Key messages: • There are many different ways of remembering, from building • Four hundred and fifty-three aircrew were killed while flying from the chapels like this one, to memorial flights and TV programmes. At the Biggin Hill Sector between 1939 and 1945. Even during the war, chapel there’s a memorial garden efforts were made to ensure they would be properly remembered. • How should we remember those who didn’t lose their lives in This continues today combat, or indeed fly planes, but who nevertheless made sacrifices • Almost every day another new Spitfire would be delivered to Biggin and exhibited remarkable bravery? Hill to replace those lost and new pilots posted to fill the shoes of those killed in combat. Both the station’s aircraft losses and Roll of Learning outcomes: Honour grew large • Although October 30 was officially designated as the end of the • Understand how many people lost their lives in the Battle of Britain – Battle of Britain, the intensive bombing of British towns and cities the Many as well as the Few continued. The pattern of fighting continued until the Luftwaffe • Appreciate that those who took part were prepared to sacrifice their conserved its bombers for the night-time Blitz lives for what was seen as a righteous war • The fighters and the supporting teams put their lives into this battle • Consider what the outcome might have been if they had not fought and were willing to die to defeat the enemy or showed bravery behind the scenes • Soon after Biggin Hill registered its ‘1000th Kill’ the station’s Padre, • Learn the history of the Chapel of Remembrance Cecil King, felt the time was right to build a permanent memorial • Value the Few and the Many and appreciate the importance of chapel in memory of every pilot who had died. The chapel was remembering them now and in the future. housed in a disused army hut and dedicated on Sunday September 19, 1943 by Station Commander Sailor Malan Curriculum links: • In 1946 the little memorial chapel, which was in daily use as the station church, caught fire and was totally destroyed • History • 1946 Cecil King devoted his energies to the building of a new From • Citizenship Chapel – a purpose built building in memory of the pilots who died. Design and Technology He became the driving force behind an appeal and contributions • came from all over the world • Winston Churchill, who had a long held association with Biggin Hill, played an important role in efforts to fund the rebuilding of the Chapel BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 29 5. Exit Curriculum links: Key messages: • History • Citizenship • Biggin Hill brought the pilots and the ‘Many’ honour, excitement, fear, depression, happiness, tragedy, laughs, new associations and thrills. ‘You made men out of boys and we’re grateful. So Long, Biggin Hill. 32 Squadron will never forget you’. Learning outcomes: • Feel uplifted by the positive stories that have been shared • Feel inspired by the importance of Biggin Hill and those who worked there • Empathise with the real human emotions of those who were stationed at Biggin Hill • Feel motivated to return. Signatures left by fighter pilots from Biggin Hill on wall plaque in the "White Hart", Brasted, c1945. RAF Museum BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 30 VISITOR EXPERIENCE Terms story will be presented thematically, the visitor journey will be structured Learning styles are the different ways that people prefer to receive logically through time. information, though many individual people actually have a mixture of The interpretation will permeate the site and the immediate locality, and learning styles. It’s important to ensure that any museum experience uses a there are opportunities to broaden the visitor experience to a network of mixture of these styles to maximise learning and enjoyment. We have used local, related attractions. the VAK/VARK model and looked for opportunities for: Visitor Journey • Visual learning • Auditory learning Entering the site • Read/write learning Experiential interpretation will permeate the site, subtly creating a sense of stepping back in time Story and Themes A digital trail will begin here, with concise written interpretation and The story will be presented thematically, across the themes of Innovation and interactive content. The digital trail will maximise opportunities to mimic the Experiment, Bravery and Remembering. The important thread of People and physical experiences described, using gestures to operate planes, solve Place will run through all of these stories. genuine problems encountered by engineering staff and experiment with sound and wireless concepts. This is, in essence, a chronological story and moving backwards and forwards in the timeline would potentially be confusing for visitors, so < Reading/writing learning > although he < Kinaesthetic learning > BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 31 Entrance, shop and cafe interactives allow visitors to explore key story concepts. The digital trail The cafe and shop will be a flexible space that can also be used for activities, continues throughout the museum. events and display. < Auditory learning > Main display – Innovation & Experiment, Bravery and Remembering at Biggin < Kinaesthetic learning > Hill < Reading/writing learning > An introductory film will create a high-impact beginning to the museum visit. < Visual learning > Projections onto the ceiling will show film of planes in the air with clever use of sound supporting this dramatic and involving moment. Experiential zone – the ‘scramble’ experience The visitor experience here will focus on helping people to empathise and to < Auditory learning > make an imaginative leap into the experience of a Battle of Britain fighter < Visual learning > pilot who is waiting for the scramble call. Scene setting will include a large phone to receive the scramble call, a clock, reference to the Squadrons’ Visitors will then explore the main thematic display. First they’ll hear about mascot through the sound of barking, a jacket hanging off a chair, an invitation the innovation and experiment of the First World War and interwar period, to the party to celebrate the 1000th kill lying on a table, chairs, a stove and and of the build up to the Second World War. They’ll begin to really popular cartoons on the wall. Visitors will be able to see the real graffiti-ed understand how vital the brainpower and planning at this site was; how much table that the waiting pilots sat around. it helped Britain fight the First World War and prepare for the Second World War. This will create a sense of dramatic build-up and suspense The ways that pilots used their time while waiting - playing games, playing before visitors go on to fully appreciate and understand the importance of chess, listening to music Though this is a more formal display than the experiential or contemplative areas elsewhere at the museum, the display will be presented naturally and informally – for example, uniforms hung on hooks, objects on open display where possible, or cased objects displayed in a way that reflects their usage where this is possible BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 32 A specially-commissioned one-to-one scale projection uses an actor or actors Sound will include actors dramatising key moments of the story and to create the presence of a pilot/s. Projected onto the wall, they will sit, recordings of the ditties sung by the different squadrons. Again, this is scene fidget, occasionally pick something up but generally just inhabit the room as if setting, and visitors should feel like they are overhearing snatched no-one’s there watching. Visitors will feel as if the room is occupied by a real conversation and sound, rather than listening to informal interpretation. person and be immersed in the excitement and tension of the story Outside the site in the immediate area At special events, visitors can follow a trail of related heritage sites in the vicinity including married quarters, air raid shelters and pill boxes. There’s also the potential for an audio trail of these sights on a smartphone App, with the buildings revealing their memories as visitors get close to them. < Auditory learning > < Visual learning > BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 33 Outside the site in the local area Chartwell is a 20-minute drive from Biggin Hill. The content of the museum links it strongly to Chartwell and visitors could enjoy both of these museums in a combined visit. Outside the site in the South East The museum would naturally fit into a Battle of Britain museum and memorial network across the South East, as well as a trail that includes other important Battle of Britain sites such as Kenley and Hornchurch BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 34 SAMPLE CONTENT Innovation and Experiment Zone Strategy and World War One Visitors can use a hands-on interactive where they learn how to use balance Wireless technology sound to find targets. They’ll use ear trumpets to balance the sound and hit a A small display of wireless technology pieces explains the importance of this button when they think they’re on target. innovative technology and why Biggin Hill was chosen for its development. < Auditory learning > < Visual learning > < Kinaesthetic learning > < Reading/ writing learning > Interwar innovation A replica wireless technology box houses a hands-on interactive, where A small display of cased and open display objects, supported with succinct visitors can explore the way that wireless technology works and learn how to written interpretation, shows the experimentation and innovation that send a signal. happened at Biggin Hill between the wars. Visitors can examine communications equipment, radios and technical advances in the design of < Kinaesthetic learning > uniforms and other equipment. < Reading/ writing learning > < Kinaesthetic learning > < Visual learning > BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 35 Preparing for World War Two A map shows the depth and precision of pre war planning, challenging the preconception that Britain wasn’t prepared for the Second World War. This will be low-tech interactive with pieces that can be moved around, supported by written interpretation. < Kinaesthetic learning > < Reading/ writing learning > An audio piece is housed in a vintage radio and plays the first of a series of Churchill quotes. < Auditory learning > With a bust of Churchill by a Bromley artist, written interpretation explains his role in preparing the country for war and his connection to Biggin Hill. < Visual learning > < Reading/ writing learning > “We are a rich and easy prey. No country is so vulnerable, and no country would better repay pillage than our own. With our enormous metropolis here, the greatest target in the world, a kind of tremendous, fat, valuable cow tied up to attract the beast of prey, we are in a position in which we have never been before, and in which no other country is at the present time” Winston Churchill, 1935 BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 36 Bravery Zone The Battle of Britain and the Few Objects on display include a copy of the war command given at Biggin Hill. < Reading/ writing learning > Here, visitors really start to get a sense of the reality of what it meant to be one of the Battle of Britain fighter pilots. Photos of pilots displayed next to their uniforms – hanging from a hook or hanging on the back of a chair – introduce us to the names behind the story. < Reading/writing learning > Sound pieces created with actors and using scripts created from log-book entries give a running commentary of fighting in the Battle of Britain – the excitement, the adrenaline and the fear. < Auditory learning > Visitors can look through recreated log books and see the contrasting characters of different squadrons and read evocative accounts of first hand experiences in air battles. < Reading/writing learning > Photos of planes in the air and pieces of Spitfires and Hurricanes are used to help piece together the strategy and reality of the war in the air. < Visual learning > BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 37 The WAAF Once again, historic radios are used as audio housings for Churchill quotes Medals and photographs of the women in the WAAF stationed at Biggin and Lord Haw Haw recordings, helping the visitor to understand what Hill show how much broader the story of courage and bravery during the people would have experienced at home listening to the radio. Battle of Britain was than we might think. < Auditory learning > < Visual learning > < Reading/writing learning > A table-top hands-on interactive allows visitors to spot the difference between British and enemy planes. The differences are subtle and visitors will The ‘Many’ be reminded just how frightening it was to have war happening in the air Oral histories, community memories and photos introduce the topic of the above them, and how much courage was required of everyday people < Auditory learning > Scrambling < Visual learning > A film created from archive footage explains the context and strategy of the Battle of Britain before visitors move into the experiential zone. The film Bomb maps and shrapnel from local bombing emphasises just how urgent helps visitors to grasp the importance of the Battle of Britain so that they can and real the issues at stake were. comprehend the vital significance of what the seemingly ordinary men that they’re about to meet undertook and risked. < Visual learning > < Visual learning > BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 38 Remembering Zone < Reading/writing learning > A connecting exhibit between the new display and the chapel acts as an important emotional link for visitors as we consider the idea of remembering those who gave their lives as well as those who survived. Here a specially commissioned or community piece of art acts as a broader memorial for all who died and all who took part, not just the pilots and focuses the mind on the act of remembrance. A carefully selected object represents the idea of memory. < Visual learning > A wall of community contributions is a place where visitors can share their thoughts or their own memories on a modern and cleanly-designed version of the traditional ‘post it’ wall. < Reading/writing learning > An uplifting exit experience between the museum and the church with contemporary video testimonies reminds us of the importance of this story to wider historical events and to our present and future. Reflections on why and how we remember from key individuals such as current aircrew and officers will help explore these issues, with different people reflecting on why and how we remember – for instance a senior female RAF officer discussing the role of the WAAFs in the war. < Auditory learning > The memorial garden acts as a focus for our memory and contains the ashes of the Few. Families come here to remember them. Simple written interpretation gives visitors this important context as they look around. BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 39 SCRIPT STRATEGY The approach and tone of scripts in the museum, whether graphic panels, • They should stress the normality of the people involved, if not of digital media or sound pieces will effectively become a large part of the voice their actions, and therefore reveal how shocking the events of the of the museum. It is important to give careful consideration to the words that Battle of Britain were BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 40 MEDIA STRATEGY All media within the museum and its site should be integral to the story. It Guiding principles are: should also contribute to the important sense of scene-setting and historic experience that consultation revealed as being vital BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 41 APPENDICES BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 42 APPENDIX I – AUDIENCE CONSULTATION REPORT Introduction This engagement sought to explore a range of issues related to the planned Over the past two months we have conducted eight engagement sessions museum through in-depth discussions and qualitative data collection. The with different audience groups to inform the Interpretation Plan. These have sessions included an introduction to the project by Barker Langham and/or primarily taken the format of focus groups of c90 minutes to 2 hours, Bromley Council staff, followed by a round-table conversation prompted by although we also ran drop in sessions targeting families with younger children some key questions. These included: at Biggin Hill Library and Bromley Central Library. The groups were: • What do you know about Biggin Hill and the Battle of Britain? • General Audiences – Individuals who have never visited Biggin Hill (or • What do you consider best practice in museums and exhibitions? perhaps even heard of the site) but maintain a general interest in What have you found most successful at similar sites? visiting museums and sites of heritage • What type of visitor experience would you expect to find at the • Air Cadets – Members of the Biggin Hill Air Training Corps aged Biggin Hill Memorial Museum, and what would meet your needs as a between 12 and 17, based next to St. George’s Chapel potential visitor? • Local Heritage Stakeholders – Primarily recruited from volunteers at • What stories do you think the new museum should focus on, and the nearby site of Chartwell, which has close links to Biggin Hill how should these be told? (With reverence, with humour, with through the personage of Winston Churchill excitement?) • Friends of the Chapel – Representative group from Friends of St. • What objects, documents, images etc. would you expect to see at George’s Chapel the museum? Would you be disappointed if the site did not include • Bromley Youth Council – Young people aged between 14 and 16 from large scale items (e.g. planes)? across Bromley Borough • In your experience, what interpretive techniques work best for • Local Community – Individuals based in and around Biggin Hill who younger audiences? How can the museum make use of these? had previously expressed an interest in the project • Families (2 sessions) – Drop-in sessions targeting families with young In general, audiences responded extremely positively to plans for the new children at Biggin Hill Library & Pool and Bromley Central Library museum, with many highlighting the fact this has been too long coming. As • International Visitors – Day session surveying international visitors to the interpretation work developed over the course of the project we began RAF Musuem Hendon to test some key stories and principles with audiences, and this is reflected in • Teachers – Primary and secondary teachers from across Bromley the later consultation reports below. borough As the development moves forward these groups should be re-engaged to • Lower socio-economic demographic – Recruited through art group at Cotmandene community centre. further test proposals and solidify support for the project. BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 43 General Audiences 22nd October 2015 Other key points about the Battle: This group brought together 8 heritage users – i.e. individuals who regularly • Feels very removed from contemporary life visit museums, galleries or historic sites within the London area. They had no • Any histories need to communicate how different things could have prior knowledge of the Biggin Hill project and were assumed to be unfamiliar been, and just how high the stakes were with the stories the new museum might tell. The respondents were aged • The stories need to be put in context to understand the sacrifices 20-25 and 65+, and represented a broad spectrum of heritage visitors. made. In terms of display and interpretation, all respondents felt that personal The discussion began with an overview of recent visits to cultural sites and accounts and “individual faces” were integral to communicating the gravity of the things that had worked or not worked. Recent visits included Tate Britain, the Battle. This would establish the normality of the men and women who The National Maritime Museum, The Wallace Collection, the Harwich fought. The ‘shock’ factor of combat was felt to be a useful tool, especially for Redoubt, Hatfield House and 18 Folgate Street. This demonstrates a diversity engaging young audiences, with multi-sensory experiences also seen as of subject interests and preferred cultural or historic experiences. There was potentially valuable. The majority of the group believed that not seeing an a marked difference in the room between those who would choose to read aircraft of some type would detract from the experience, although other up on a subject before visiting a site, and those who prefer to be ‘wowed’ by “focal points” of display were suggested, including an artistic installation. the content of a museum and then discover more at the leisure. One Whatever the content and design of the museum, all felt that space for respondent was so taken by a particular site that he mentioned visiting reflection would be key to ensure the memorial function of the site could be “hundreds” of times, despite not living particularly close to the museum. For properly catered for, and that this should focus on the individuals all consultees, the key success factor for any museum lay in its particular remembered at the Chapel. atmosphere, and that this was appropriate to the content and stories, whether austere for famous paintings, or experiential for an historic site such as Folgate Street. All respondents had heard of Biggin Hill, although their knowledge was vague. Only one had visited, and described the site as “creepy” in light of the many apparently abandoned buildings. Everyone in the group felt they would be unlikely to visit a new museum at this site, unless it was part of a wider trip to other heritage or cultural venues in the area. On the issue of the Battle of Britain, base knowledge was low and inaccurate. All knew that it was associated with the Second World War, but assumed it had occurred later in the conflict. What ‘battle’ actually meant in this context was also unclear to respondents, with the assumption being that it denoted a single day of fighting. While recent anniversary celebrations had raised awareness of the Battle, it was felt that specific facts were not communicated. Instead, there was a general sense that the Battle was about young men sacrificing themselves. A key element of this was seen to be the veterans, who provide a highly emotive connection to the events of the Second World War. BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 44 Air Cadets the Cadets felt that the museum should be closely connected to the present 26th Oct 2015 and future of Biggin Hill, not just its past. Most cadets had been to numerous museums in the past with squadron and While knowledge of the history of Biggin Hill beyond the Battle of Britain was family, including the Imperial War Museum, the Science Museum, London limited, most respondents felt that the site’s whole chronology should be Transport Museum and RAF Hendon. Some had also visited museums dealt with in the exhibition, especially in relation to the technological abroad including the Egyptian Museum (Cairo) and the Royal Museum of the advancements made there. Armed Forces (Brussels). There was a strong interest in war-themed museums, but also a general interest in museums as a whole. Characteristics When asked what they felt about the depiction of war in museums, there that cadets found important in a museum include: was a strong emphasis on getting the ambience right, whether through physical objects or other means (interactives, 3D simulations and re- • Interactivity enactments were all mentioned). In this respect, the “wow factor” was seen • Learning, but in a fun/accessible way to be crucial, with the museum housed in a modern and contemporary • Relevance - ability to relate to content emotionally space. The Cadets also felt that information should be presented in a range of formats, with most voicing a preference for audio and video over written • Real, if sometimes difficult, content (e.g. pictures of human remains) text. The potential to handle original objects was seen as important, with • Thought-provoking exhibits that allow for physical interaction felt to be more interesting. • An experience that transports them back through time. In general, the key finding of this session is that any content needs to be Cadets had a general knowledge around the events of the Battle of Britain, moving, provocative and balanced, presenting a complex story that touches primarily from the school curriculum in Years 9 & 11, but also via history on the local as much as well-trodden war narratives. lessons from squadron leaders. A yearly reception held at the site also introduced the Cadets to stories of the Battle, and indeed the individuals who actually fought. The Cadets were all aware of the recent 75th anniversary, which included media broadcast from Biggin Hill. In general, the Cadets felt strongly that it was important these stories were passed down from generation to generation, although some voiced concerns about potential bias in the messages that they were receiving. It was suggested that different perspectives and lesser known stories can help to set the new museum apart, especially if these relate to the real emotions and experiences of the pilots and others. As one Cadet mentioned, this should move beyond the representation of “winners” and “losers”. There was general interest in wanting to know more about context and why things happened, with one respondent suggesting that a film depiction would help raise the profile of the site and the Battle. With regards the significance of Biggin Hill, the group felt that this site could provide a gateway into local history, particularly in relation to the war. The museum could explain the impact of the conflict on local communities, using bomb maps and personal testimony to make the past relatable. On this note, BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 45 Local Heritage Stakeholders to the present day as an example of an “analogue internet”. Another way to 28th October 2015 bring these stories ‘up to date’ may be to highlight the quick reaction bases operated by the RAF today – contemporary versions of the Biggin Hill fighter This group was primarily drawn from volunteers at the local National Trust station. property Chartwell, which has a close connection to Biggin Hill both geographically and as the long-term home of Winston Churchill. The fact that the new museum would be closely associated with a place of worship and memorial was deemed vital to creating the correct balance for The discussion began with a general overview of the relevant museums and the visitor experience. Whilst the need to engage young visitors was heritage sites related to the RAF and the Battle of Britain that members of highlighted, this should not undermine the solemnity of the stories told – the group had visited. There was considerable disagreement on what made appealing to school groups and families without pretending that the Battle of sites such as Capel-Le-Ferne, Shoreham, Hawkinge etc. successful or Britain was ‘fun’. The possibility of engaging room attendants or guides to otherwise, with some citing the “charm” of more amateur institutions as key help communicate these stories was seen as one route around this, as was to their appeal, while others felt the large-scale AV offered by Capel was the the need to have discrete spaces of audio-visual interpretation so that noise most effective means of communicating the story of the Battle. Bentley Priory bleed did not become an issue. The example of museums that link visitors to was held up by most as an example of best practice, although the importance an individual’s story upon entry was held up as one means of connecting of a well informed guide at the site was highlighted, and the reduction in visitors to the very personal stories of the Battle of Britain. memorabilia was seen as a negative. The sheer volume of objects and information at the Kent Battle of Britain Museum was also seen to be All respondents believed there was real potential to attract overseas visitors exemplary. Beyond these RAF specific sites, the variety of visitor experiences to the site given its proximity to so many well-known sites of heritage in available at Dover Castle was felt to be very successful, while the Kent, and the international stories the museum could legitimately tell (e.g. redeveloped Bletchley Park was deemed less effective, with a key comment Polish, American and Canadian aircrew). being that there was simply not enough to hold interest. Discussion then moved on to the specifics of Biggin Hill – what makes it important, what stories should be most prominent, and what methods of display should be used at the museum. Most respondents agreed that, if possible, the huts and operations rooms should be incorporated in the new offer. This could be augmented with reference to the various surviving structures on the East Camp, including the old sleeping accommodation, the air raid shelters and the pill boxes. It was also noted that pilots may have been quartered at Down House during the war, allowing for a narrative connection to this important local site. The number of connections to nationally significant stories at Biggin Hill was emphasised by participants, with Churchill, the MI6, the Great Escape and Douglas Bader all mentioned. Unsurprisingly, The Battle of Britain was seen as the key story for all respondents, with one drawing attention to the fact “we are living underneath the most important battle site of the Second World War”. In addition to the personal stories of pilots, the battle of keeping the airfield running was felt to be very important, as well as those satellite airfields connected to Biggin Hill (e.g. Kenley, Hornchurch). The emergence of an integrated air defence system in this period was also mentioned, connected BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 46 Friends of the Chapel local people, could be a welcome addition to the museum. Other links to the 11th November 2015 local area were also highlighted, including the fact that many roads were named after men and women who served at the station, and that bomb This groups consisted of 8 members of the Friends of RAF St. George’s craters were still visible at a nearby SSSI. The Friends also suggested that the Chapel. As a result, the discussion focused on the integration or otherwise of museum should make use of the fact the London Loop and other key the Chapel with the new museum, and the most appropriate means of telling walking routes run close to Biggin Hill, and that plans are in place for a vinery the story of Biggin Hill at such a site. and brewery nearby. On this point, there was a resounding sense that the museum should not be During the discussion several ideas were put forward for ways to generate “dominant”. There should be a synergy between the two buildings, but income within the museum. These included a Spitifire cockpit ride, listening in whether this is articulated through a physical connection or not was up for to the air traffic control at Biggin Hill Airport, or communicating with other debate. It was felt that the museum and the Chapel should complement each RAF sites around the country using Ham Radio. The former Group other, but that if the museum were to charge visitors should be allowed into Command at Uxbridge was mentioned as particularly important in this the Chapel for free. It was also pointed out that there may be certain times – respect. during services, weddings, funerals – when the Chapel would be ‘out of bounds’ to regular visitors, and this would have to be carefully managed. On In terms of stories, it was felt that the museum should focus very much of the flip side, however, the Friends would be happy to host educational visits Biggin Hill’s place in World War Two, and the important role it played in the within the Chapel as part of a museum tour, and suggested that one of the development of technologies that helped win the Battle of Britain. Telling the rooms of the Chapel could be used as an educational space. A suggestion story of the German attacks would – it was argued – take the focus away was put forward that a “statement of relationship” between the museum and from Biggin Hill as the central story. The visitor route should be fairly the Chapel should be drafted, to clearly define how the two will work straightforward, with individuals then directed to places where they can think together. about the importance of the Chapel. The Garden of Remembrance should be maintained and enhanced as an extremely significant site. Crucially, all members of the group felt that the retail and food and beverage experience on offer should be sympathetic to the use of the Chapel as a In sum, the group felt that the Chapel and the museum can support each sacred space and a place of remembrance. It was pointed out that there other in terms of stories, visitors and education, but that a clear “change in would be stiff competition for customers from the nearby Lookout Café, and atmosphere” would be necessary to ensure that the interactive and lively that the museum should therefore look to offer something very different – nature of the exhibitions does not improperly impact on the sacred use of atmospheric, homely and in keeping with the importance of the Chapel. the Chapel. Further connections for the site may be available in the form of the Officers Mess, which could eventually be opened as a hotel for wedding parties etc. It was also suggested that the Chapel could be used to display boards on the development of the museum during the planning stages and whilst construction works were taking place. This would allow for certain elements of interpretation or key stories to be ‘tested’ with audiences to the Chapel. There was a strong sense that volunteer knowledge should be harnessed within the museum, to help communicate the importance of the Chapel in particular. One member of the group was able to share memories of Biggin Hill during wartime, when – as an 8-year-old – he could “defuse an incendiary bomb”. Utilising the personal testimony not just of pilots, but of BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 47 Bromley Youth Council 12th November 2015 The group did not feel that the size of the site should detract from its importance, but rather that the “smallness of the place could emphasise the This group comprised of 9 young people from across Bromley borough, all personal stories”. Greenwich Observatory was mentioned as somewhere under the age of 16. The Youth Council meets to discuss issues as diverse as that achieves this very successfully – telling a story that spans the globe in a crime, health, education and the environment. The group had previously small historic building. Tellingly, the group felt that they would not expect to heard of the museum project, but had no detailed knowledge of the plans. see a large object such as a whole plane within a small local museum, and that there was an opportunity to use individual parts of, for example, a There was a general sense among the group that Bromley is not somewhere Spitfire, to represent the fact that Biggin Hill is just one part of a much bigger with “cool” museums – the perception is that it lacks a “creative spark”. All story. of the group had travelled into central London to visit the large museums, whether as part of a school trip or with family. Those museums that were Personal contributions and memories were felt to be very important, as most popular included the Science Museum and the Natural History “hearing it directly makes it much more powerful”. This ties in to the fact that Museum, for their interactivity. all respondents felt maintaining a “sense of the reality of the past” was key. The museum should not shy away from what actually happened, or make the In terms of the Biggin Hill site itself, the group had little to no knowledge of Battle seem distant and unreal. As one of the group suggested, this story the airfield, although there was a general awareness that it was connected to helps to explain “why we don’t live in a fascist world” – the fact such a global the Battle of Britain. None of the group lived near to Biggin Hill, and few had narrative can be told in a local context was underlined as incredibly important visited. None recognised St. George’s Chapel, although the gate guardians by all. Related to this, the use of social media to attract visitors was were familiar from driving past. highlighted by the group, especially as this would allow the site to make links to current affairs. This was felt to be very important, with one member of the On learning of the site’s importance to the Battle of Britain and the vital role group arguing that a contemporary twist would help “captivate” visitors. this event played in winning the war, all felt that this story should be much more widely publicised. It was suggested that the museum offered an opportunity for giving Bromley’s unique take on WW2 70 years on – and that this story should be connected as much as possible to people’s lives today. Schools from across the Borough may even be involved in the display from the outset, creating a memorial quilt for instance, or helping to collect stories from older people in the borough who remember the War. The fact Bromley suffered significant bombing could be drawn out, as the group felt that the story of The Blitz was commonly associated with central London. Whilst there was a general acknowledgement amongst the group that the museum would need some interactive elements to appeal to younger audience, it was pointed out that this should not undermine the “profound” stories that the site connects to. As one respondent noted, the museum “shouldn’t feel like it’s for five year olds”. A combination of approaches is required that meets the needs of different learning styles. The visitor flow should be very obvious so that people do not get lost or confused (a criticism made of larger museums), and parents should feel that their kids will be kept interested throughout. It was suggested that the same content might be displayed in different ways, to appeal to young and old. BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 48 Local Stakeholders 17th November 2015 In terms of content and stories, there was widespread agreement amongst the group that oral histories should form an integral component of the new This group was drawn from attendees to previous events on the future of museum. These should be collected as soon as possible, both from existing Biggin Hill Memorial Museum held by Bromley Council. We sent out an email resources and a new project of oral history recording. The group felt that to c20 people, 12 of whom replied to say they would like to be engaged these should focus not just on the pilots who fought at Biggin Hill, but also on further, with 8 able to make it to the session. The group had extensive prior the ground crew and those in the surrounding area whose lives were greatly knowledge of the site and the proposals put forward for the new museum. affected by the war. As such, this detailed discussion sought to address some key concerns around stories and experiences, with the session seen as an opportunity to test Despite this, the Battle of Britain was still seen by the group as the “strongest priorities and plans to date. draw” for potential visitors. This should be placed in context, with the strategic importance of Biggin Hill’s geography highlighted. It was suggested The issue of the dispersal hut was brought up by members of the group, but that other stories connected to the site such as the evolution of wireless there were no strong feelings as to whether this should form part of the new telephony could be covered in relatively small-scale displays. The post-war museum. In terms of location, it was suggested that the area behind the history of the site as an Officer Selection Centre could be dealt with similarly, chapel overlooking the airfield would be the most suitable site for any new with one respondent suggesting that this should tie in to the current building. Crucially, the Memorial Garden should not be disturbed (although selection process at RAF Cranwell. In general, it was argued that the display restoration was important). be flexible enough to respond to visitor feedback post-opening. A key part of the discussion focused on the relationship the new museum can have with the wider area in which it will be situated. It was suggested that a heritage trail should connect historic elements across the site, helping to embed the museum as part of a wider experience including the Memorial Chapel. This could draw the dispersal hut into the offer without moving the structure. The Museum should act as the starting point for guided tours of this wider site. One respondent also noted that the new building might include an education centre, distinct from but connected to the museum. Further afield, connections to Chartwell were highlighted by the group, with one respondent suggesting that Biggin Hill might be seen as the “gateway to Kent” for visitors to this region. In general, it was felt that the chapel and the museum have separate roles to play in telling the story of Biggin Hill, and while the two will be closely connected, they do not need to overlap in terms of visitor experience. The museum should make good use of audio visual material, but this should be carefully managed and directed to avoid overwhelming the space. Related to this, one respondent argued that the museum should not be totally devoted to child-friendly exhibits, as these can dominate the experience (the National Maritime Museum was given as an example of where this has occurred). The new First World War galleries at the Imperial War Museum and the Dumfries Military Museum were highlighted as examples of best practice in this field. BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 49 Families During the consultations we were able to speak to people of varying ages 30th November and 8th December 2015 and using a sticker chart we posed two question, alongside deeper discussions: “What would you like Biggin Hill Museum to be?” And “Which of In both Biggin Hill and Bromley we ran public consultations aimed at families. these topics would most interest you?” We had colouring in activities for children, and laid out photos, questions and stickers to generate conversations with adults. Throughout the day we spoke When asked what tone the museum should have, many people felt strongly to people about plans for the museum and asked them what they would like that the museum shouldn’t be too solemn. They felt the tone of the museum the museum to be. Over the two sessions we were able to speak to around should be a celebration of what the pilots sacrificed their lives for. 80 people. Alternatively, a few people argued that the museum should be serious rather than solemn, especially older people who have a connection via their parents In Biggin Hill around half of the people we spoke to knew of previous plans of parents friends to people that may have died in WW2. to create a museum and everyone was aware that the airfield played a significant role in the Battle of Britain. Almost everyone we spoke to was Being child friendly was key to most people and thus interactive also scored supportive of the plan to build a museum and many asked “why isn’t there highly as a way to engage children. ‘Horton Kirby Centre’ was sited as a good already a museum?” Almost everyone knew of the existing Memorial Chapel example of WW2 education. Here children re-enact the story of the from the two ‘gate guardians’, but few had visited as they didn’t realise it was evacuees by dressing up and using air raid shelters. As well as engaging open to the public. We were told that Bromley didn’t have many museums children, the museum should also be informative and interesting to the older and locals would be keen to have a nearby attraction to visit. generations who are keen to learn more. In Bromley fewer people were aware of plans for a museum, however, The people we spoke to were also keen to see a variety of topics in the almost everyone knew of the airfields significance. Of the people we spoke to museum. When they where asked to choose, they found it hard to pick just most were keen to know more about what role Biggin Hill played in the one topic. So although the ‘The Battle of Britain’ scored highest in terms of Battle of Britain. Although they were less connected to the site, there was a interest, it is important that there are many things to learn about in order to strong support for a new museum in the local area. maximise interest. There was a strong feeling amongst the people we interviewed that it is ‘The impact on local life’ and ‘the bravery of the pilots’ were also very important to educate children and young people about the story of Biggin popular topics. ‘The role of Women’ was a topic people would have been Hill during the war. The older generation feel very connected to the stories keen hear more about. A minority of people we spoke to were more put off of WW2 and are keen that their children and grandchildren don’t lose touch or would even be “disturbed” by the ‘war’ element of the museum and with it. They saw it as a priority that the museum would be able to engage would rather see topics of social history. children through being fun and interactive. They suggested that the museum may best be able to do this through links with local schools. BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 50 Cotmandene Resource Centre Interpretation (15 attendees surveyed) Nearly all asked knew of Biggin Hill and had some interest in the Battle of Britain. All felt it was most important that young people are taught about the Visiting habits topic, to learn about the sacrifices made. There was a strong interest in the This group are mainly local residents who attend a weekly art class. As a museum representing stories from/relevant to the local community, local collective they have made calendars and presented small art displays at small history. Around half were interested in contributing to an art display project museums, churches etc. The resource centre is mainly used for citizen’s at the museum (especially interested in the stained glass windows at the advice, job seeking support etc. The demographic of the group was mainly chapel). The group were receptive to the more interactive displays, they older/retired attendees and some with physical or learning disabilities. Quite a particularly liked the idea of using sound and especially war songs, films, few very ‘community-focused’ – volunteering for the Red Cross or assisting hearing Churchill speaking. Other very visual techniques suggested include with driving others to museums or churches etc. models of the area and ‘things for children’. There was also an interest in going to museums which are ‘set out as it was’, of being taken back in time Those surveyed appeared to be more likely to attend National Trust or through an experience. There was also interest in talks and tours as a way of English Heritage properties. Most of the group have ‘gotten out of the habit’ engaging people better. of visiting museums. The main reason for this appeared to be related to issues of access (disability, lack of car etc). Most said that if a group visit or transport was provided that they would be happy to undertake more visits. Some also cited that now their children are older they have less reason to go. Those who did visit museums fell into two categories – either were motivated to visit because of grandchildren or visited with partners to mainly free, central London nationals. Visits were mainly undertaken as part of holidays or during the week. There was a strong feeling that they prioritise visiting attractions during quiet times of the week to avoid traffic and the crowds. Most surveyed visited free museums although all agreed they would pay between £5-£10 to enter a museum or historic house. Where prices were reasonable, nearly all said they usually eat or drink in the café of an attraction. BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 51 Teachers They are likely to best engage with actors or engaging speakers who they can (Five teachers attended the workshop - primary and secondary) then ask questions. Teachers stressed that children especially enjoy listening to older speakers reflecting on their own youth. Pupils shouldn’t be expected Curriculum to stay quiet for long periods of time so speakers should be engaging and have interactive sessions. If they already know a bit about the subject they are Primary Schools more likely ask relevant questions and consequently get more out of a session, so it would be good if they have learned a bit beforehand. • They learn about forces in KS2 which the technological aspects of Biggin Hill’s story could relate to. Object handling sessions either authentic objects or replicas was something • KS2 children learn about local history that appealed to the teachers, especially where open ended or investigative questions can be raised. Tactile displays including objects which can be Secondary schools touched is also important for children’s interaction within museum galleries. Immersive environments have also proved effective on previous trips; • is on the curriculum for year 9 students. The Second World War children enjoy dressing up and engaging with actors in character as a way of • Edexcel GCSE examinations test pupils on the 1930s period. learning about the period and events they are being taught about. The RAF Hendon offer sessions that relate to the Business Studies and • suggestion of a reconstructed scramble hut was perceived as likely to be Leisure and Tourism curriculums for GCSE and A-level students. successful. Having ‘big effects’ such as sounds and vibrations are exciting and • Sessions on war poetry could be attractive to English departments engaging. Handling collections are important as well, so children can interact • Citizenship and General Studies aren’t so prioritised so sessions with the objects they’re learning about. related to these wouldn’t be expected to have a high uptake. Viewing a film at the start of the start of trip is a good way to get the pupils Interpretation immersed in the themes and stories they’ll be learning about. A good idea Children at all ages aren’t likely to engage with large text panels and a lot of suggested for the museum would be overhead screen to show dogfights etc. written interpretation. Interactives also aren’t likely to be that engaging, as these are already perceived as dated. Being able to download information or It is important that interpretation is exciting as well as informative. Older apps onto their own devices is likely to be a good way of engaging older children will understand the memorial/ commemorative aspect of the children who have their own mobile phones, and iPads could be distributed museum and Chapel, but that doesn’t mean the whole experience should be to younger children (or those who don’t bring phones with them). sombre. War was frightening but also exciting nonetheless and this should be Incorporating QR codes into displays is an effective way to encourage the reflected in interpretation methods. The stories told should also be balanced children to do their own research, which they could be tested on either at and reflect the experiences of everyone involved in the war, including ‘the the museum or back at school. enemy’. The story-telling should also be comprehensive, including mistakes, realistic information about attitudes at the time and the role of propaganda in Individual audio guides/personal headsets, however, aren’t likely to be the war. effective and aren’t desirable as teachers want the students to interact with each other on trips as well as with the exhibits. Interpreting the gate guardians was perceived as a good idea, as well allowing visitors better access to them. This could work well visually, perhaps if the grounds were landscaped to allow children to get a clear view of the gate guardians from their play/lunch area, with written interpretation nearby. BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 52 Visits and events museum. This could be a good way of building strong relationships with local Having a member of staff who has specific knowledge and understanding schools and attract repeat visits from schools and pupils’ families. about the needs of school groups is important. Helping teachers with the administrative aspects of preparing for a trip is a way to encourage visits. Visiting habits / experience Providing risk assessments for teachers, giving detailed information about Having a separate learning area is preferable so they can have part of the travel, parking, lunch room arrangements etc. also helps teachers and would session in an area away from other visitors. Having exclusive access to the make them more likely to visit. museum is even better, so they can have lessons near the exhibits. To get approval to go on a school trip, secondary school teachers have to fill Splitting the pupils into groups of no more than 15 would be ideal. Small a form that asks about the trips relevance to the curriculum, but the groups are most effective if entrance to the exhibition can be staggered or if requirements aren’t particularly stringent. Year 9 students start their GCSE it can be started at different points. studies halfway through the year so unless the trip is strictly related to the GCSE curriculum, they are more likely to get approval in the autumn term. An indoor lunch area is important in case of rain, but children of all ages will Primary schools have a less formal process and teachers simply have to make need space to run around and whilst on a break. their case to the headteacher for approval. Primary school children particularly enjoy taking things they’ve made home Schools make on average a maximum of one trip per subject and year group, with them. Secondary children particularly enjoy leaving something they’ve so local schools are most likely to be the most important school audience. made themselves on display in the museum. The latter could potentially a way to encourage repeat visits, as children could come back with their An effective way to engage children would be to have the museum’s learning families to see the displays with their work. officer visit prior to the trip. This would arouse the pupils’ interest in the subjects and stories they will be learning about when they visit. Wi-Fi is essential to enable some of the interpretation styles (e.g. QR codes, downloadable content etc.). It also allows the children to show what they’re All ages would bring packed lunches with them from home, or made by the doing to their friends via social media and picture messages. One teacher had school if they receive free school meals. been to a museum in Amsterdam where visitors could dress up costumes and take pictures in a photo booth that had the capability to send the Secondary school children bring up to £15 spending money with them, which pictures via email. This kind of activity would be very popular with secondary they’ll spend on additional food and drinks and items from the gift shop. school children as they use photo messaging and social media a lot. Branded items, including pencils, lanyards and phone charms, are most popular. Posters are also likely to be popular too. Primary schools are likely to pre-order items from the gift shop within a set budget. Schools that are particularly close-by could do a trip to the museum in half a day. A half-day session could also work for schools further afield; secondary school trips sometimes have two destinations. Access by public transport is important because coaches are very expensive. Trips including travel rarely cost more than £15 per child for primary schools, but secondary schools occasionally pay more, depending on the attraction and activity. The cost of school trips is passed directly onto the parents. If the museum has a friend of the museum or membership scheme, local schools could join up, and pay an annual fee or get involved in projects at the BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 53 International Visitors From the UK based visitors, we found a mixed level of interest. Some were 4th January 2016 more interested in the planes, some more in the history and some were there due to a personal connection to the RAF. A few visitors had made long We spoke to visitors at the RAF Museum in Hendon, targeting international day trips in order to visit the museum and we spoke to families that had visitors. Our aim was to find out what content/narratives would interest traveled from Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and Reading in order to visit the international visitors and whether the Biggin Hill Memorial Museum would museum. Many people were bringing family members or loved ones to appeal to them as a visitor destination. educate or share an interest. There was significant interest from these further afield visitors in visiting the Biggin Hill Museum due to its unique historical We set up a stand at the museum exit, speaking to people as they left the significance. museum as well as walked through the galleries speaking to people about Biggin Hill. We asked which stories from RAF Hendon they had found most Other comments we heard throughout the day though our conversations engaging and what content/narratives they would like to see in the new were: museum at Biggin Hill. • People were worried that a small museum would be unable to A relatively small proportion of the people we spoke to were international engage children without being able to house plane parts or large visitors, and the nine we spoke to were visiting for a variety of reasons. Some objects. One father said a fun gift shop would be a great draw for had a deep personal connection to the RAF and Battle of Britain, and would kids be very interested in visiting a museum at Biggin Hill due to the site’s • We also heard that engaging activities are an effective way for adults historical importance. Most of the international visitors at RAF Hendon were themselves to learn. One lady referenced games at RAF Hendon visiting as they were keen to see the physical collection of warplanes, some where the audience is challenged to put themselves in the pilot’s expressing that their countries didn’t have equivalent museums. Others had shoes as a good way to create interest and enable learning read or heard about it as an impressive site to visit whilst in London. • Following personal stories helps them connect with and contextualize historic events. People were particularly interested to We found the visitors from abroad were very interested to hear more about hear about what people did before the war and what they went on international involvement in the war efforts. One visitor told us he has less to do after the war interest in British history, as it didn’t relate to him. We also found that when • ‘Punchy take away facts’ that they are unlikely to hear elsewhere can asked to choose narratives, visitors from abroad were less interested to hear , also be a good way to convey information for people who have no about stories of ‘work on the ground’ and ‘effects on local life’. specific interest • One visitor said they would like to be engaged with thought We found some international visitors at RAF Hendon with a personal questions, rather than be told undisputed facts. Such as connection or niche historic interest that would visit Biggin Hill. However, provoking ‘why did the wars take place?’, and themes that could generate a most were there for the planes and seemed less interested in visiting a discussion museum in Biggin Hill given its size and proximity to the City center. One visitor told us ‘we are more interested in seeing things, I can read/learn in my • People are interested in learning through video footage and films own time online.’ about the Battle of Britain. BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 54 Visitors to Bentley Priory Volunteers at Bentley Priory (Eight visitors surveyed) (Eight volunteers surveyed) Interpretation Recruiting volunteers Rotunda room and the film about Dowding’s air defence strategy were • Start recruiting prior to the museum opening mentioned as being the best bits of the museum. • Advertise in local papers • Many volunteers are part of U3A’s and find volunteering The Rotunda room displays stories and artefacts pertaining to many different opportunities through them. U3A’s have different groups that are RAF personnel who served in the Battle of Britain. focused around specific interest groups. One volunteer belongs to a group called Wheels n Wings, organised by Bushey and District U3A. The film about Dowding was considered to be good because it showed how • Similarly local associations are good sources of volunteers important his contribution to the Battle of Britain was, and the fact that recent history was shaped by the outcome of the battle and consequently Training The film’s presentation as well was well-received; the Second World War. • Volunteers need robust training, shadowing other volunteers isn’t the projection into Dowding’s office was particularly effective. sufficient as some of the volunteers have no previous experience whatsoever. Visiting habits / experience Most of the volunteers have an interest in or a connection to the All visitors drove to the museum, and mentioned they mostly drive on visits • RAF and its history. to such attractions. All have been to similar attractions recently (last 5 years) whether those be military museums or historic houses. All of the visitors research attractions online before making a visit, to check that the attraction is relevant and in line with their interest. BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 55 APPENDIX II – SUPPORTING RESEARCH Introduction This supporting document provides an overview of the key research tasks …the eye alone cannot discern the tradition carried out in relation to the Biggin Hill Memorial Museum project. A timeline that is Biggin Hill. It lies in the dusty files of of significant events at Biggin Hill has been compiled from various sources, records and combat reports, in treasured along with the wider context for these milestones. This is fleshed out through the Narrative Scope, which explores the key stories that might be told by the diaries and in the memories of the men, and museum. Potential display material is placed alongside these stories to begin women, too, who have served here. It was to delineate the types of objects and collections that should be brought born in the days of the Royal Flying Corps, together as the project moves forward. Potential sources for these items are then suggested, along with an initial Content Plan mapped against the when the station was a cluster of canvas tents interpretive approach put forward above. in the corner of a pasture and frail biplanes struggled to make headway against the wind… Graham Wallace, 1958 BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 56 Timeline Date Context Biggin Hill 1914, July 28 Outbreak of First World War 1914 Royal Flying Corps (RFC) open a landing ground at Cudham Lodge Farm, near Biggin Hill 1914, July onwards Early in the First World War, emergency night-time landings taking place on this site 1916 Two subalterns from Wireless Testing Park at Joyce Green, Dartford are tasked with finding a new site for their operations. They come across a flat field of 75 acres high on the North Downs between Westerham and Bromley 1916, Dec 2 Official Sanction given for re-siting of Wireless Testing Park at Biggin Hill 1917 German aerial assault on Britain begins to include airplanes as well as airships 1917, January First landing: Lieutenant Dickie and Air Mechanic Chadwick fly into Biggin Hill with RE7 and land in thick snow 1917, February 13 Transfer of officers and men from Joyce Green completed. Wooden huts and tents erected, a canvas hangar created, and officers quartered in Koonowla, a large house nearby 1917 Working radio system installed in a BE2e 1917, July Sopwith 1 ½ Strutter installed with radio equipment. Lieutenant Furnival and Captain Richard Peek exchange words between aircraft 1917 Twenty air-to-air wireless sets produced and fitted to Bristol Fighters flown by No. 11 Squadron in France. School of wireless telephony established by Lieutenant Furnival 1918, January No. 141 Squadron formed and moved from Rochford to Biggin Hill to a operate new flight of Bristol Fighters BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 57 Date Context Biggin Hill 1918, April 1 RFC and Royal Naval Air Service merge to create Royal Air Force (RAF) 1918, May No. 140 Squadron formed at Biggin Hill with further Bristol Fighters 1918 Before the end of the war, movement of Home Defence Squadrons in the air was being controlled through transmitter at Biggin Hill 1918, November 11 End of First World War. Air defence capacity wound down 1930s RAF roll out use of highly secretive Radio Direction Finding (RDF) technologies pioneered at Biggin Hill 1936 Air Defence of Great Britain command structure replaced with four strategic commands: Bomber; Fighter; Coastal; Training. Mainland Britain also divided into four Fighter Command Groups. 1936 Biggin Hill made Sector Station for Sector C of Group 11 Fighter Command. Designated radio call sign TOPHAT 1939, September 1 Germany invades Poland, marking start of Second World War 1939 ‘Phoney War’ provides space for Britain to re-arm 1939, late Autumn 4800ft tarmac runway – No. 1 – constructed at Biggin Hill 1940, May Hitler advances through Western Europe 1940, May 10 Winston Churchill becomes Prime Minister of Great Britain 1940, Summer 32, 79, 213, 229, 224 Squadrons operate in ground war over Northern Europe and provide cover for evacuations at Dunkirk 1940, June 14 Paris falls to the Nazi’s BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 58 Date Context Biggin Hill 1940, June 18 Churchill announces to House of Commons that ‘the Battle of France is over. I expect that the Battle of Britain is about to begin’ 1940 Luftwaffe strength stands at slightly under 2000 planes, while the RAF has only 825 fighters, including 520 Hurricanes and 258 Spitfires 1940, June 26 Hitler’s assault on Britain begins with probing attacks on RAF and port infrastructure in south-east England 1940, August onwards Luftwaffe conducting large-scale daylight attacks against RAF airfields in south-east 1940, August 18 Group 11’s ‘Hardest Day’ 1940, August 32 and 610 Squadrons leave Biggin Hill, and 72 Squadron arrives with Spitfires 1940, August 30 Raid by nine undetected Junker bombers devastates the aerodrome. 40 personnel killed in a direct hit on a shelter 1940, August 31 Further attacks destroy all telephone operations at Biggin Hill, with operations block receiving direct hit 1940, September 1 Defence teleprinter network operated by WAAF takes direct hit 1940, September Luftwaffe turns attention to London and other cities, beginning night-time Blitz 1940, October 31 Battle of Britain ends 1940, August – 12 direct attacks on Biggin Hill aerodrome 1941, January 1942 onwards Biggin Hill’s fighters provide cover for Bomber Command’s offensives over the Continent 1943, June Destruction of 1000th German aircraft by fighters from Biggin Hill sector BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 59 Date Context Biggin Hill 1943 Conversion of hut to memorial chapel at Biggin Hill 1945, May RAF Biggin Hill transferred from Fighter Command to Group Transport Command 1945, September 2 Formal surrender of Japan, marking end of Second World War 1946 First memorial chapel destroyed by fire 1951, July Lord Dowding lays foundation stone of new memorial chapel 1951 Chapel constructed on site of one of the hangars destroyed in 1940 1951, November 10 Memorial chapel opened and dedicated 1953 Hurricane and Spitfire flown to Biggin Hill to become ‘Gate Guardians’ of the Chapel 1959, February 7 RAF cease flying operations at Biggin Hill 1959 – 1962 RAF Officer and Aircrew selection centres established in West Camp, eventually being headquartered in new building to the south of St. George’s Chapel 1962 – 1992 Biggin Hill acts as main Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre for RAF 1974 Bromley Borough Council take formal control of Biggin Hill aerodrome 1992 RAF leave Biggin Hill BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 60 Narrative Scope The below narrative scope provides an initial assessment of the key stories that might be told at Biggin Hill Memorial Museum, with emerging thoughts around the material required to communicate these narratives. At this stage, the images, objects and other display requirements should be seen as road map rather than a detailed blueprint for the museum. The next phase of museum development should include an investigation of the key archives and collections that might supply relevant items. The need for original infographics and other methods of display is also highlighted where appropriate. BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 61 Introduction An introduction to the site of Biggin Hill, outlining the landscape and its unique position in the context of Original map of Biggin Hill and wider area, London and South-east England supported by reproductions of historic maps Biggin Hill’s early association with aviation is owed to its elevated situation, of about 200m above sea Early photographs of village and key buildings on level on a solid bed of clay above the mist-prone vale to the south and west. The land on which the site Airport stands was historically part of the manor of Apperfield, owned by the Earls of Stanhope, part of the parish of Cudham; the village of Cudham is about two miles to the east. Several houses stood in the manor, including Apperfield Court and Cudham Lodge, a Tudor establishment rebuilt in the eighteenth century. The tenanted farm stood on a site near the middle of what is today the Airport’s main runway. Frederick Henry Dougal. An entrepreneur, acquired part of the manor in 1895. He sold inexpensive plots for development, which eventually led to the development of the modern village of Biggin Hill, south of the Airport. (ABA 2015: 4) Biggin Hill designated as night emergency landing ground by War Office as early as 1916. (Wright 180: 5) Biggin Hill – ‘one of the highest points in Kent, 600 feet above sea level on the chalk escarpment of the Aerial photograph of Biggin Hill highlighting its North Downs’ (Ogley 1990: 8) topography ‘It was the pilots of the Second World War who called it ‘The Bump’. Returning from a sortie above the orchards, or a patrol over the Channel, they would fly across the Weald of Kent towards the chalk hills of the North Downs and, at the highest point, look for a terribly scarred concrete runway. This was Biggin Hill […] Just a tiny patchwork square of England, but a beautiful sight’ (Ogley 1990: Preface) ‘It was from Biggin Hill that Bristol Fighters operated at night against Gotha bombers in the last year of the 1914-18 war. It was from Biggin Hill that wireless pioneers made the first communication between the ground and aircraft in flight. It was at Biggin Hill that the army’s air defence unit was established, where the early pre-radar dishes were constructed, where night flying was perfected and where three operational squadrons were billeted to help protect London and the south-east from the growing Nazi menace’ (Ogley 1990: 3) BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 62 The First World War The role of Biggin Hill from 1916 onwards, documenting the first arrival of planes, the development of wireless technology, and the air defence of London THE WIRELESS EXPERIMENTAL ESTABLISHMENT ‘Wireless telegraphy from an aeroplane was no novelty; as early as 1910 Morse had been Example of early wireless technology – transmitted from a machine in flight […] this entailed loading the aircraft with heavier gear, while opportunity to send and receive messages in the hapless pilot had simultaneously to tune the set, operate the Morse buzzer and fly […] Morse code Wireless telephony, not wireless telegraphy, was the answer: the instantaneous transmission of speech over a useful range with the minimum of effort’ (Wallace 1958: 9) ‘[Biggin Hill] airfield owes its establishment to the development of wireless telephony in the Royal Images of wireless experimentation at Joyce Flying Corps and the need for the Wireless Testing Park at Joyce Green, on the Thames near Green Dartford, to expand’ (Wright 1980: 4) ‘The move to Biggin Hill […] was a first step towards giving the Royal Flying Corps (and Reproduction of correspondence regarding subsequently the Royal Air Force) its independent wireless research establishment’ (Wallace 1958: Biggin Hill as site for wireless research 10) On 2nd January 1917, ‘Lieutenant Dickie, with Air Mechanic Chadwick as passenger, flew in with an Photograph of first plane and pilots to land at RE7 and was greeted by a fusillade of snowballs as he landed in front of the newly-erected hangar. Biggin Hill The ground crew were quickly routed with a shower of icy slush whipped up by the slipstream before Dickie and Chadwick descended to solemnly kiss the ground in mock ritual. They were the first airmen to land at Biggin Hill’ (Wallace 1958: 11) ‘By mid-February, the transfer was complete and the Wireless Testing Park was able to continue its important work of research and development. A priority task was the perfection of a practical and operational system of air-to-air telephony’ (Wright 1980: 5) ‘Preliminary experiments were commenced in the spring of 1917. One set after another was Display of type of sets developed at Biggin Hill constructed, tested, and abandoned’ (Wallace 1958: 12) ‘In July, 1917, Lieutenant Furnival in a Sopwith 1 ½ Strutter clearly heard the words spoken by Original or re-recording of crackly radio Lieutenant Andrews in a similar aircraft. Furnival’s pilot, Captain Richard Peck dipped his wing in transmission acknowledgement and increased the distance between the two aircraft. Andrews’ voice continued to be heard. After many failures air-to-air wireless telephony was, at last, a reality’ (Ogley 1990: 9) ‘Twenty sets were immediately produced, tested at Biggin Hill and fitted to the Bristol Fighters Example of set fitted to Bristol Fighters. flown by No 11 Squadron in France. [Major General ‘Boom’] Trenchard then instructed Lieutenant Documentation related to school of wireless Furnival to organise a school of wireless telephony’ (Ogley 1990: 9) telephony BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 63 ‘Air-to-air wireless telephony presaged a revolution in aerial tactics; for the very first time a flight Photographs showing experimentation at commander could speak to his pilots throughout an action, giving orders that would be Biggin Hill. Aerial reconnaissance imagery instantaneously heard’ (Wallace 1958: 14) A school of wireless telephony was established in 1917, ‘By November […] some thirty-six officers Images of aerodrome during this period a week were passing through the school. The word soon spread to France that a course on ‘Biggin on the Bump’ meant a cushy billet in the Bell Hotel, Bromley, a chance to visit the girl friends and see the latest West End shows. As Christmas drew near, squadron commanders were overwhelmed with applications for instruction in wireless telephony’ (Wallace 1958: 15) ‘Soon after the fusion of the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Service into the RAF, the Early insignia of RAF decision was made to concentrate all wireless research at Biggin Hill’ (Ogley 1990: 17) ‘By the end of 1917 the Wireless Testing Park had grown to such an extent that it was accorded a Archival documents and original devices more distinguished title, becoming the Wireless Experimental Establishment – WEE in short’ related to WEE (Wallace 1958: 16) ‘Work began on permanent buildings for the South Camp in March 1918 and plans were drawn up for an Officers’ Mess, barrack blocks, laboratories and concrete hangar, a project that was to cost £220,000’ (Ogley 1990: 17) ‘The Station’s nominal roll now mustered 593 persons al told: 68 officers, 297 men and 228 Images of people stationed at Biggin Hill during women – WRAFs who had volunteered for cooking, clerical and M.T. duties’ (Wallace 1958: 18) this period ‘As the WEE expanded new aeroplanes were flown – twin engine bombers Handley Page 0/400 and DH 10s – and more fields were requisitioned for lengthening the runways’ (Ogley 1990: 17) ‘On 1st December, 1917, Biggin Hill became an operational fighter station. Early that morning a Image of the ‘Salt Box’ ground crew arrived from North Weald to erect two Bessoneau hangars behind the ‘Salt Box’. A few hours later ‘D’ Flight of 39 Squadron flew in from Hornchurch under the command of Captain A. B. Fantstone. The aircraft were housed in one hangar, while the officers moved into the bell tents inside the second’ (Wallace 1958: 24) ‘For the first month at Biggin Hill 141 Squadron had a mixed bag of aircraft. Besides the BE 2es and BE 12s, there was a solitary Sopwith Pup, a Bristol Fighter, a Vickers Vampire 3 gun pusher and Mosaic of images or models showing early one flight of Dolphins…’ (Wallace 1958: 27) aircraft flown at Biggin Hill ‘When the decision was taken to equip one of the home defence squadrons with wireless telephony in an attempt to guide the pilots to the enemy in the dark, it was natural that the squadron sharing Biggin Hill with the W.E.E. should be chosen as ‘guinea-pig’’ (Wallace 1958: 28) BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 64 ‘By the end of the war Britain led the world in the many uses of wireless in the air. The Germans Images and documentation related to had been unable to develop anything comparable to our systems of wireless telephony and American visit direction-finding, nor, for that matter, had our Allies. The Americans were intensely interested in the work being done at Biggin Hill and requested permission for a party of officers from the U.S. Signals and Aviation Wireless Unit to visit the Station. This was granted as a courtesy between allies, and the visitors spent several instructive days at the WEE’ (Wallace 1958: 20) THE DEFENCE OF LONDON ‘In 1912 Britain created the Royal Flying Corps with naval and military wings but by the time war Insignia of Royal Flying Corps broke out in 1914 the army was charged with the air defence of the United Kingdom and devoted most of its efforts to the operational squadrons in France’ (Ogley 1990: 10) ‘On January 19, 1915 […] bombs were dropped on Kings Lynn and several Norfolk villages. In May Photographs of German planes and Zeppelins that year London suffered its first Zeppelin attacks. Exactly two years later a new sturdy twin- over London engine bomber, the Gotha, scattered bombs over Kent’ (Ogley 1990: 10) ‘The first mass daylight attack was made on 25th May 1917, when twenty-one Gothas crossed the Images of destruction wrought by bombs Channel en route for London. Thick cloud forced them to turn back and scatter their bombs over during First World War Kent. One stick fell in a crowded shopping street in Folkestone, killing fifty-six women and children’ (Wallace 1958: 22) ‘[Biggin Hill] aerodrome occupied a unique position guarding the southern approaches to London, Historic map showing strategic importance of hence of great importance in the defence of the capital against air attack’ (Wallace 1958: 21) Biggin Hill during this period ‘As the intensity of the German raids increased and the causalities mounted, six squadrons of Image of Gotha in flight British fighters were diverted from France to defend London. Zeppelin raids virtually ceased and the Gothas switched from daylight to night attacks. Forced to take the shortest route to London because of their limited range the Gothas flew over the Wireless Testing Park at Biggin Hill’ (Ogley 1990: 10) ‘The nightly raids and the inadequacy of the defence caused a public outcry. Searchlights were Early insignia of 141 Squadron introduced, work was begun on sound locators and barrage fire became more accurate. As the winter of 1917-18 approached and the prospects of raids increased two additional home defence squadrons were sanctioned. One of them, 141 Squadron, was to be [the first operational squadron] at Biggin Hill’ (Ogley 1990: 10) In early 1918 an emergency wing of fighters was ordered to Biggin Hill, ‘the commander […] scorned the existing accommodation, hangars and workshops of the WEE and sent the detached flight to the north end of Biggin Hill, a wintry wilderness of deep snow-drifts. Here the fighter pilots were to enjoy the simple, Spartan life uncontaminated by wireless scientists and other effete characters’ (Wallace 1958: 23) BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 65 ‘The average age of the young men of 141 Squadron was only 21 and many had just returned Image of 141 Squadron in March 1918 (Ogley from the Western Front where the life expectancy of a pilot was barely 11 days. Now back in 1990: 12) England they hated their enforced period of inactivity and boredom began to set in. Those who survived the deadly aerial combats in France to form the new 141 Squadron Image of Lieutenant Singh and – if possible – included Australians, Canadians, New Zealanders, Rhodesians and a Sikh, Lieutenant Hardit Singh his turban and hat Malik who always wore his turban under his flying hat’ (Ogley 1990: 12) On 18 May 1918, ‘the Germans mounted their biggest raid of the war, amassing more than forty Footage or photographs of aerial combat bombers, mainly Gothas, against London. 141 was ‘scrambled’ and was led to the raiders with during First World War reasonable accuracy by the primitive sound detector system […] Less than half of the forty German raiders reached their target that night, and eight of them were brought down. The Debris from Gotha (IWM) Germans accepted that the London defences were more than a match for their bombers and no further raids were mounted’ (Wright 1980: 7) Song sung by pilots during First World War: Interactive radio allowing you to ‘tune in’ to this song A brave aviator lay dying And as on his death-bed he lay, he lay, To his swearing mechanics around him These last dying words did he say. Take the cylinder out of my kidneys, The connecting rod out of my brain, From the small of my back take the gear-box And assemble the engine again So gather up quickly the fragments And when you’ve returned them to store, Write a letter to Seely and tell him His 141st in so no more When the court of enquiry assembles, Please tell them the reason I died, Was because I forgot twice iota Was the maximum angle of glide. So when I am dead I’ll be joining The Flying Corps up in the sky. Let’s hope that they’ve studied iota And the wings that they give me will fly! BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 66 (Wallace 1958: 32) ‘To ensure close cooperation between the ground defences and 141 Squadron, the Headquarters Example of sound detector (original or replica) of No. 17 A.A. Coy of the Royal Engineers moved to the North Camp. This Company had sixteen searchlights deployed over North Kent to illuminate the enemy bombers for the fighters to attack Scope for interactive encouraging hand-eye-ear or, failing this, to give an approximate indication of their whereabouts with a concentration of co-ordination beams. Only on the clearest nights did the searchlight crews attempt to find the raiders by eye; during the winter months, when fog and cloud were prevalent, the order was given: “point to sound!” With eyes shut and stethoscopes clamped to their ears, the two operators of the sound detector on each site slowly rotated the four massive trumpets, swivelling in pairs on the horizontal and vertical axes, until they picked up the beat of the aero-engines. Listening intently, they balanced the sound between their left and right ears until the two vibrations merged into a single intense pain in the centre of the forehead. They were on target. “Expose the light!” The shutter of the searchlight was flung open and a dazzling beam of light leaped skywards. On rare occasions the crew was rewarded with a Gotha caught squarely in the beam…’ (Wallace 1958: 29) ‘In France the character of the war was changing. Tanks were now spearheading the initial attacks Photographs of Squadron at Arms while allied planes struck at German infantry columns. The newly-formed RAF put up a magnificent Competition, Silver Cup and image of cock show in these last crucial stages of the Great War but the squadrons at home fretted with emblem frustration. To keep up morale, the General commanding the VIth London Defence Brigade, Brigadier General T.R.C. Higgins organised a Squadron at Arms competition. All units in the Command were to participate in formation flying, aerobatics, wireless telephony, gunnery and a Concours d’Elegance of machines, airfields and buildings. The winning squadron would receive a silver cup, the title of Cock Squadron and the rights to display the fighting cock emblem on their aircraft. At first 141 Squadron were reluctant to enter but quickly picked up the competitive spirit, succeeded in the eliminating rounds and came out as Cock Squadron in the final at Suttons Farm in Essex’ (Ogley 1990: 12) ‘With its proximity to London and the reputation of the squadrons stationed there, Biggin Hill has Image of visit by Prince Yorihito probably received more official and distinguished visitors than any other station in the Royal Air Force. The first of these visits took place shortly after the Squadrons-at-Arms Competition when “Cock” Squadron was reviewed, ironically enough, by a future enemy but then an ally – Prince Yorihito of Higashi Fushimi’ (Wallace 1958: 39) ‘…in all essentials, there was established at Biggin Hill in 1918 the forerunner of the sector control system that played so decisive a role in the Battle of Britain. Ground-to-air control of fighters was a revolutionary concept for 1918 and weeks of hard training were required to perfect the system’ (Wallace 1958: 28) BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 67 ‘Ever since the Allies had broken through the German lines and forced the enemy to retreat, Sound clip of announcement and photographs England had been waiting anxiously for news of the surrender. It came in the most unexpected of celebrations at end of hostilities way. A wireless operator at Aperfield Court, Biggin Hill, seeking news from France, tuned into the Eiffel Tower station and picked up a message from Marshall Foch […] The message was quite straightforward: “‘Hostilities will cease on the whole Front as from November 11 at 11 o’clock (French Time)” The operator, one of the first to learn of the good tidings, told Major Baker who alerted the local padres. Within minutes the bells of Westerham and Cudham were pealing – the first in all Britain to proclaim the end of hostilities’ (Ogley 1990: 16) ‘[In celebration] a group of pilots and wireless operators from Biggin Hill decided to ‘invade’ Newspaper reports and photographs of London. They burst into the Savoy, demanding champagne and whooping like Indians. Officers celebrations by 141 Squadron from 141 Squadron then dragged the guns in Hyde Park down The Mall and left them lying under Admiralty Arch. In Trafalgar Square the Cock Squadron started a bonfire which left its scars on the base of Nelson’s Column. Later that night the two units from Biggin Hill, the fighter pilots and the wireless officers had a rendezvous at the Savoy. They took over the band and formed a wild crocodile dancing through and over the tables reserved for generals […] Next day London was declared out of bounds to the men of 141 Squadron. They obeyed the order and instead created mayhem in Croydon’ (Ogley 1990: 16) At the end of the First World War ‘Living conditions at the South Camp were appalling. The civilian contractors had demolished most of the wooden huts, but were doing little to replace them. An atmosphere of apathy and post-war inertia hung over the site and some 500 men were compelled in midwinter to live under canvas, or in the few leaking, indescribably filthy huts that remained. They had no baths, no heating, nowhere to wash and dry clothes. It rained unceasingly, a canvas Bessoneau hangar with its roof in tatters served as a dining hall, the benches and tables were saturated and stood in three inches of mud’ (Wallace 1958: 41) BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 68 Between the Wars The changing face of Biggin Hill during a period of relative peace, focusing on the innovation and experimentation carried out at the site, and the different squadrons stationed on ‘The Bump’ SQUADRONS AND COMMANDS 141 Squadron departed in March 1919 and was replaced on The Bump by 37 Squadron, Insignia of all squadrons stationed at Biggin Hill renumbered 39 Squadron on 1 July 56 Squadron – one of the most renowned in RAF during the 1914-18 war, was stationed at Biggin Hill from 1923-27 During this time six pilots from [56] squadron were killed in flying accidents. (Ogley 1990: 20) ‘By 1927 expansion had been authorized and Biggin was to become a two-squadron station’ (Wright 1980: 9) ‘Six hundred feet above sea level, the airfield was frequently open when Croydon was fogbound Image of airliners at Biggin Hill and sometimes a dozen airliners would be parked on the grass outside Station Headquarters. Once an Imperial Airways Hannibal flew in with Jesse Owens fresh from his triumph in Berlin…’ (Wallace 1958: 64) Biggin Hill was expanded in 1927, when ’29 acres of land were purchased piecemeal from several Original artwork map showing extension of owners. The airfield was extended, encompassing Cudham Lodge and all its property […] By Biggin Hill September 1932 the builders had finished, leaving North Camp with Messes for officers and NCOs, barrack blocks, married quarters and many other offices, all built in the red-brick style and typical of most RAF stations throughout England. These are the buildings which stand on the North Camp today, minus hangars and some offices, destroyed in the raids of 1940’ (Ogley 1990: 23) When the station reopened it was home to 32 Squadron and 23 Squadron, flying Bristol Bulldogs and Hawker Harts ‘In the early 1920s there were more than 200 members of WAAF at Biggin Hill and many of them Images of life on the aerodrome during this were recruited locally’ (Ogley 1990: 22) period ‘By October 1, 1932, 300 RAF personnel were occupying the North Camp. War clouds were not yet looming but the young pilots were encouraged to put in hundreds of hours flying. They played football and cricket at the station and became frequent visitors to the many nearby village pubs. Life at Biggin Hill in the early 30s was great fun’ (Ogley 1990: 23) BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 69 ‘In May 1936 Great Britain unveiled its drastically re-organised Home Defence Force which was given four functional commands – Bomber, Fighter, Coastal and Training. Biggin Hill came under Infographic illustrating formation of RAF prior to Fighter Command and its headquarters were opened at Bentley Priory in July with Air Chief Second World War Marshall Sir Hugh Dowding as AOC’ (Ogley 1990: 26) ‘On the eve of war, 601 Squadron moved permanently from Hendon with Blenheims. Temporarily adapted as fighters by the addition of a box of four Browning machine guns under the bomb bays. Now there were three fighter squadrons at Biggin Hill’ (Ogley 1990: 31) NIGHT FLYING ‘The Night Flying Flight was formed in July 1923 and had two main functions – to train pupils in Images of Night Flying Squadron night flying and to assist 56 Squadron and the Army School of Anti-Aircraft Defence in night attacks on heavy bombers’ (Ogley 1990: 20) ‘By the late 20s the Night Flying Flight had developed a system of huge acoustic concrete dishes Images of sound dishes in situ today and mirrors which were placed strategically along the south and east coasts’ (Ogley 1990: 23) ‘The work of the Night Flying Flight and the Army Air Defence Unit was absorbing and of considerable importance – even though the progress of other research was later to turn it into something of a ‘blind alley’ of development’ (Wright 1980: 9) AERIAL DISPLAYS ‘In common with other operational RAF stations Biggin Hill opened its gates to the public on Image of Biggin Hill during Empire Day, along Empire Day, and crowds would gather to watch the exhilarating display of aerobatics by pilots of with newspaper cuttings and posters 32 and 23 Squadrons’ (Ogley 1990: 25) ‘in the blazing sun of Empire Air Day, 1937, nearly 20,000 people visited the station […] Highlight of the display was undoubtedly the R/T demonstration where a spectator could, for a sixpenny fee, speak to a pilot flying at 5,000 feet and request any manoeuvre that took his fancy’ (Wallace 1958: 69) INNOVATION AND EXPERIMENT “If Great Britain is to maintain the lead it at present holds in the production of aeronautical instruments of all kinds and if Air Ministry is to retain the confidence of the aircraft industry there is no alternative but to have a well-equipped establishment such as is proposed at Biggin Hill and to provide a well-paid staff to secure that experiments and researches are conducted on the right lines. The development of civil aviation depends largely on the progress made with aerial navigation, and this in turn depends largely on the progress made at Biggin Hill in developing and producing aeronautical instruments” (Air Commodore Brooke-Popham in Wallace 1958: 44) BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 70 ‘To reduce development costs, the WEE was reorganised into a central research establishment, combining four previously separate units under one roof. All research and development, other than into engines and airframes, was to be undertaken at this new unit under the title Instrument Design Establishment’ (Wright 1980: 8) ‘The research programme was ambitious and embraced almost every branch of aviation except airframe and engine design. Officers remaining from the W.E.E. continued their development of D/F receivers and transmitters, and tackled the improvement of valves, the deflection of wireless waves and the problem of landing in fog. Signals experts were brought in for long-range and ground-to-air visual signalling, signalling by invisible rays, navigation and recognition lights and audible sound-signalling from aircraft. Aeronautical instruments of all kinds were designed and tested: bomb-sights and gyro stabilisers, sextants, drift indicators, course-setting sights, pressure gauges, revolution and airspeed indicators, altimeters and flowmeters were some of the more important devices under study. The safety and comfort of aircrews was another aspect of the I.D.E. programme: safety-belts, anti-glare goggles, oxygen-supply systems, cockpit and clothing heating were all investigated and improved by the technical staff at Biggin Hill. High-speed cinematography was applied for the first time to aeronautical research. Pictures taken at a rate of 450 per second were projected at the standard (silent film) speed of sixteen per second, thus making possible the analysis of movements too rapid for the human eye to register. The behaviour of aircraft on landing and taking off, the opening of parachutes, movement and vibration of propellers, and the atomisation of petrol jets in carbutters all became the concern of the Photographic Section’ (Wallace 1958: 46) ‘…the Development Section prepared specifications and drawings, constructed models and samples for manufacturers, and fitted the experimental apparatus into the I.D.E.’s aircraft’ (Wallace 1958: 46) ‘A series of fascinating experiments were carried out at Biggin Hill, forerunners of Ground Control Approach Radar, but using sound instead of radio waves. In brief, three sound-detector stations around the aerodrome measured the height, speed and course of the aircraft approaching to land, and reported these to the pilot by wireless. At one end of the airfield was placed a sound transmitter, emitting a narrow cone of sound which could be heard up to 50000 feet away. On picking up the distinctive note of this transmitter, the pilot throttled down and glided in towards it, keeping as far as possible towards the centre of the beam until he touched down on the runway. The transmitter was an ingenious adaptation by the I.D.E. of the large mirrors developed by the Army for anti-aircraft work, using a sound detector as a sound projector. A gigantic curved concrete disc, twenty feet in diameter and weighing fifteen tons, was constructed to the north of Biggin Hill at a cost of over £2000. Mounted on trunnions, it could be trained according to the direction of the wind and elevated to the correct angle of glide for incoming aircraft. A powerful 10kw klaxon was placed at the focal centre of this mirror and a narrow beam of sound projected out to guide the pilot. When in use, the noise in nearby houses was quite terrifying, shattering the windows in BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 71 nearby houses and stampeding all livestock for several miles around’ (Wallace 1958: 48) After 1922, ‘Biggin Hill was to become the proving-ground for all the anti-aircraft defences on which one day might depend the security of Britain’ (Wallace 1958: 50) ‘In May 1923, Biggin Hil again became a fighter station when 56 Squadron flew in from Hawkinge […] Shortly before, the Army had occupied the South Camp where the A.A. School started to train personnel in the use of anti-aircraft guns, while the Searchlight Experimental Establishment sought to improve the illumination of aircraft at night for the benefit of both guns and fighters. It was the third Army unit, however, the Acoustical Section, which had the really vital task: obtaining early warning of the raiders approach. To detect them after the coast had been crossed was no longer sufficient; with the bomber’s ever increasing speed and altitude, warning had to be given before landfall was made’ (Wallace 1958: 51) ‘In 1923 the IDE moved to Farnborough (later to become the Royal Aircraft Establishment), and Objects and photographs documenting RDF at Biggin Hill settled into a long-term peacetime role as a fighter station’ (Wright 1980: 9) Biggin Hill ‘Radar, or Radio Direction Finding (RDF) as it was then called was progressing and aircraft were being tacked at 40 miles range. In the autumn of 1936 Dowding chose Biggin Hill with its pioneering experience of ground-to-air and air-to-air contact in the 1914-18 war as the station to expand the theory and potential of this new weapon of defence’ (Ogley 1990: 26) ’32 Squadron worked unceasingly, putting in many hundreds of flying hours as an unofficial ‘fighter development unit’, establishing and perfecting techniques and procedures for the conversion of early warning knowledge into effective fighting counter measures’ (Wright 1980: 12) ‘…with radio location able to provide warning of the enemy’s approach at distances up to sixty miles, there was no longer any need to keep fighters airborne on extravagant standing patrols as hitherto; now they could remain on the ground until the last minute and then take off. But in five minutes a modern bomber could travel fifteen miles, so there was little time to work out an interception course with all the paraphernalia of aerial navigation, and a means had to be devised by which the ground controller could give his fighters their course in the minimum time, a minute or less, altering it continuously to match every move of the enemy as detected at radio-location’ (Wallace 1958: 66) PREPARING FOR WAR “We are a rich and easy prey. No country is so vulnerable, and no country would better repay pillage than our own. With our enormous metropolis here, the greatest target in the world, a kind of tremendous, fat, valuable cow tied up to attract the beast of prey, we are in a position in which we have never been before, and in which no other country is at the present time” (Churchill, 1935, in (Wallace 1958: 65) BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 72 ‘The Munich appeasement of September 1938 brought the station to “immediate readiness for Images of Biggin Hill in late 1930s, supported by war” and all aircraft were ordered to be camouflaged in drab green and brown. Each pilot tackled personal accounts his own machine with paint and brush, obliterating the squadron crest’ (Ogley 1990: 29) ‘Chamberlain’s announcement of “peace in our time” was ignored at Biggin Hill. Wing Commander Dick Grice DFC took over command of the station and the aerodrome was disguised by camouflage experts. Trees and shrubs were planted, windows reinforced, blast walls and sandbag reinforcements constructed, runways and aprons toned down with bitumen and Army Ack Ack and ground defence units moved in to give cover from attack […] As 1939 arrived Biggin Hill was prepared for war’ (Ogley 1990: 29) “War! War!! War!!! The atmosphere of war in all its grim horror pervades the usually peaceful station of Biggin Hill. The once cheerful countenances of the pilots are grim and determined as they await the signal to take off on a dawn patrol. Dead silences reigns. Suddenly a hooter blares out its warning, and all is a hive of activity. Engines splutter into life with a dull roar, white overall’s pilots sprint for their aeroplanes and within two minutes of the signal the 32nd Fighter Squadron rises in perfect formation from the ground and zooms skywards towards the grey horizon on its errand of death” (Diary entry for 32nd Squadron, 5th August 1938. In Wallace 1958: 71) ‘The nerve centre of Biggin Hill as a sector station was, of course, the Operations Room and, parallel with the interception experiments, some work was done to determine the ideal lay-out. The problem was how to display to the best advantage all the information that flowed in from Group headquarters, the radio-location stations and the Observer Corps so that the controller could see at a glance the relative positions of the enemy and his own fighters […] the answer was simple; use a vertical ground-glass screen on which the plotting is done from behind. The controller has an uninterrupted view from the front, the screen, being vertical, takes up less space than a flat table and the various aircraft formations can be easily displayed with coloured suction discs on the glass. This system remained in use at Biggin Hill until the Operations Room was destroyed by enemy action in September 1940’ (Wallace 1958: 68) ‘on the evening of Saturday September 2, an old friend dropped into the Officers’; Mess to give a Reproduction of Churchill’s diary recording few words of encouragement to the young pilots and ground crew. Winston Churchill was on his event way home to Chartwell at Westerham. For years he had opposed Chamberlain’s policy of appeasement and had frequently said that only a strong British air force could protect Britain from invasion. Giving nothing away about the enormous German superiority in air power, Churchill spoke to the young officers. “I’ve no doubt that you will be as brave and eager to defend your country as were your forefathers”. (Ogley 1990: 31) August 1939 – ‘Biggin Hill was already at a high state of preparedness, thanks to the foresight and energy of the Station Commander, and everyone took it for granted that they would be the first, if BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 73 not the sole, objective of the entire Luftwaffe. They felt equal to the occasion and ready for almost anything’ (Wallace 1958: 74) Group Captain Dickie Grice – ‘having won his DFC in the First World War, he tackled the often thankless task of Station Commander with the youthful enthusiasm of the Royal Flying Corps. Every section of Biggin Hill was his concern and he possessed the happy knack of making anybody and everybody work for him. A fighter pilot at heart, his slim figure, pipe in mouth, was always at hand in the hectic summer of 1940 to greet returning formations with a crate of beer, nor did he forget the hard-working ground crews’ (Wallace 1958: 77) The Second World War: Defending London, Defending Britain During the Second World War, Biggin Hill became one of the most famous fighter stations in the world. This was due to the pivotal role the airfield played in the Battle of Britain, and throughout the war. Personal stories of this momentous period will be highlighted in this section ‘52 different squadrons flew under the colours of the Biggin Hill Wing during the war […] Infographic of squadrons stationed at Biggin Hill hundreds of airmen were billeted on ‘The Bump’, some for just day, others for many years. Every one of those courageous young men is worth a book’ (Ogley 1990: 3) ‘In 1939 and early 1940 the RAF had a role with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) which was fighting in France. The force flew reconnaissance missions and protected troops against attack from Luftwaffe fighters’ (Hill 2003: 12) ‘Biggin Hill played a vital role in ‘Operation Dynamo’, the great evacuation of Dunkirk […] More Images of planes over Dunkirk than 338,000 British and Allied troops had been snatched from defeat by the Royal Navy and a flotilla of little boats. The Hurricanes from Biggin Hill had played their part by constantly patrolling the skies and keeping the Luftwaffe at bay. In nine days of fighting the station had accounted for 36 German aircraft with 20 probables […] Biggin Hill earned its first Battle Honour but lost eight pilots, eight Hurricanes and six Spitfires’ (Ogley 1990: 38) ‘Britain had calculated that the Germans would need at least 250 vessels to transport a force of German map of Britain / South-east England about 100,000 men across the Channel. The most likely landing places were in an arc or Kent and Sussex between Dover and Brighton. Defending that part of England was No 11 Group of Fighter Image of Luftwaffe aircraft and pilots Command and Biggin Hill was a senior sector station’ (Ogley 1990: 39) THE WAAF AT BIGGIN HILL ‘When war was declared an appeal for recruits for the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force was Images and personal accounts of WAAFs at broadcast by the BBC and from all walks of life hundreds of women immediately volunteered. BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 74 Biggin Hill welcomed its first recruits during the autumn of 1939 but could offer little in the way of Biggin Hill adequate accommodation and training. The few WAAFs at the station had to contend with difficult, makeshift conditions and, sadly, prejudice from some of the mean who felt that women had no part to play in the service. However, the spirit of the girls was amazing and they set about their daily tasks as cooks, drivers, equipment assistants, clerks or orderlies with an energy and willingness that made even the most sceptical think again. The WAAFs brought to Biggin Hill a family atmosphere of care and concern and by mid-summer of 1940 there were more than 250 girls serving alongside the RAF’ (Ogley 1990: 40) Sunday August 18 – Following a raid on Biggin Hill, ‘Sergeant (Joan) Elizabeth Mortimer was Image of Elizabeth Mortimer and her Military manning the switchboard in the armoury and refused to move although she was surrounded by Medal, with oral history recording if possible tons of high explosives. The bombing became heavier but the WAAF Sergeant ignored the danger and continued to relay vital messages around the defence posts. As the raiders departed but before the All Clear sounded Sergeant Mortimer walked and ran around the airfield with a bundle of red flags. Where a bomb had not exploded she placed a flag nearby. Biggin Hill was like a minefield and the aircraft, still airborne, needed to know where to land. A bomb exploded nearby, winding her and for a while she could not walk. When she recovered she continued plating flags. She was order to leave the area by an officer who said it was too dangerous. She carried on when he walked away. For her courage and coolness Elizabeth Mortimer won the Military Medal, one of three to be awarded to WAAFs at Biggin Hill that summer’ THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN ‘The Battle of Britain is about to begin […] The whole fury and might of the enemy must very Recording of Churchill’s speech soon be turned upon us. Hitler knows that he will have to break us in this island or lose the war. If we can stand up to him, all Europe may be free, and the life of the world may move forward into broad, sunlight uplands. But if we fail, the whole world, including the United States, including all that we have known and care for, will sink into the abyss of a new Dark Age, made more sinister by the lights of a perverted science. Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, “This was their finest hour”’ (Churchill in Hill 2003: 9) ‘At the start of the Battle, the Luftwaffe with 2800 aircraft stationed in France, Belgium, Holland Infographic showing relative size and strength of and Norway, outnumbered the RAF four to one’ (Hill 2003: 9) air forces ‘Between July and mid-August the ‘battle’ turned out to be a series of deadly aerial skirmishes Diary entries from various pilots stationed at above the skies of southern Britain. The RAF’s losses in this period were tremendous…’ (Hill Biggin Hill 2003: 9) Postcard from Flying Officer Milner, 32nd Squadron, lost in action, 1940, and received from a Image or footage of large numbers of German Kriegsgefangenenlager (POW Camp) – “Sorry I left you the other day, I wasn’t thinking. Wonder aircraft in sky BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 75 if you are still at the Bump? Do drop in and see me any time you’re around these parts – love to everybody and good luck. Milly” Images and footage of aerial battles, including photographs of vapor trails ‘Twenty-five British airmen lost their lives on August 11, 1940, the worst day for aircrew casualties Damaged aircraft and kit during the Battle of Britain’ (Ogley 1990: 46) ‘During July, 27 Junkers and Me109s were shot down by the Biggin Hill squadrons but the BBC evening news report from this period of Luftwaffe kept on coming. Indeed, its attacks intensified, for it was still only using a fraction of its Battle strength’ (Ogley 1990: 46) Michael Crossley’s account of battle - “Coo! What a Blitz! All of a sudden we sighted a cloud of Hns, and moved unwillingly towards them. Then another cloud a bit nearer, complete with mosquitoes. We moved even more unwillingly towards that one and attacked. 32 versus the world, it seemed. Hell of a lot of zizzing. Very hectic” (in Wallace 1958: 110) ‘On 12 August, German tactics changed […] targeting airfields as well as the planes in the air’ (Hill 2003: 10) ‘During the first few weeks of the battle there had been a growing realisation on the part of the German High Command of the importance of Britain’s chain of stations housing Radio Direction Finding equipment (RDF or Radar)’ (Hill 2003: 10) ‘Biggin Hill was now aware of Hitler’s plans. He aimed to put every radar station between Portland and the Thames out of action and, simultaneously, attack coastal shipping and all the airfields. The Spitfires of 610 and the Hurricanes of 32 were among those who were going to try and stop him’ (Ogley 1990: 50) August 12 1940 - ‘…at 7.31 the order came through. “Squadron Scramble. Dungeness, 10,000 feet.” Within seconds the Merlin engines roared into life, and the Spitfires of 610 took off’ (Ogley 1990: 50) August 12 1940 – “From Reichsmarschall Goering to all units of Air Fleets 2, 3 and 5. Operation Reproduction of battle order Eagle. Within a short period you will wipe the British Air Force from the sky. Heil Hitler” (in Ogley 1990: 51) ‘Thursday August 15 is a day that will always be associated with Biggin Hill and the Battle of Britain. It was the day the Luftwaffe sent over 1800 aircraft in five massive assaults with the intention of putting every airfield out of action. It was the day the RAF scrambled its greatest ever number of fighters to meet a single enemy operation – some 150 Hurricanes and Spitfires right across Southern England. During this memorable Thursday, all 21 of 11 Group Squadrons were in action and some, BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 76 like 32 Squadron, were scrambled three times. Against these massive odds the RAF lost 34 fighters and shot down 182 enemy aircraft…’ (Ogley 1990: 52) Lord Haw Haw – “This is Germany calling, Germany calling … yesterday our mighty Luftwaffe bombed Croydon from the map, soon it will be your turn, Kenley and Biggin Hill” (in Wallace 1958: 117) Thursday 15th August, 1940 – ‘the day which saw the heaviest fighting of the entire battle. Using 1,800 aircraft in five massive assaults, the Luftwaffe made an all-out effort to smash the Royal Air force and bring Britain to her knees’ (Wallace 1958: 112) On the evening of the 15th – ‘While the boisterous young pilots were celebrating, there was plenty of activity at Biggin Hill. Engineers and ground crew in the hangars were busy patching up the injured Spitfires and Hurricanes. There were holes to plug with wax, hydraulics to fix and magic grease to be applied. The CO wanted two complete squadrons by dawn the next day so the men toiled all night snatching sleep in the hangar whenever they could’ (Ogley 1990: 53) ‘The coastal radio-location stations detected the build of the the fifth, and last, assault at 6.15pm. In Biggin Hill’s small, rather old-fashioned Operations Room the atmosphere was hot and close. WAAF’s, tunics off and sleeves rolled up, contrived to remain trimly feminine as they stood by the telephones and teleprinters, or waited, head-sets lightly ruffling their hair, to plot the coming battle on the glass sector map that divided the room. The Duty Controller and his aides sat enthroned on a dais; to them the enemy was a cluster of black rubber suckers, labelled “60+”, midway between Calais and Dungeness. Obedient to the whisper in he headphones, a WAAF placed four red suckers – squadrons ordered up by 11 group – in opposition and then moved one black a foot over the coastline of Kent: twelve inches on a map, six miles in reality’ (Wallace 1958: 114) “To see the fighters diving through great masses of enemy planes, to see them tear, one after the other, out of the sky and rise again to dive back, is the most heroic and inspiring thing I have ever seen in my life. There are no words to express their fury and their bravery” (Daily Express Report, 15 August 1940, in (Wallace 1958: 114) ‘The pilots celebrated after their fashion; at the same time other men were hard at work in the blacked-out hangars on Biggin Hill. Hurricanes and Spitfires were coming bacj so shot up that life for the harassed engineer officers and ground crews became an undending struggle to inspect, patch, mend and somehow turn out a complete squadron every morning. Holes shot through the propellers were plugged with wax and, as long as the hydraulics weren’t leaking, the control wires not fraying and there was plenty of grease where it was needed, an aircraft had to be considered fit to fly. Fitters and riggers downed tools only when the imminence of closing time lured them through the perimeter hedge for a quick pint in the “Old Jail”. A night’s sleep in billets was out of the question. They dossed down on blankets in the hangars whenever and wherever they could’ (Wallace 1958: 116) BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 77 August 25, 1940, diary entry for 32 Squadron – “Well, old Biggin Hill, 32 (F) Squadron bids you Reproduction of diary entry with image of 32 farewell. You brought us honour, excitement, fear, depression, happiness, tragedy, laughs, new Squadron associations, thrills – in short, every sentiment a man can experience in quick jumbled succession. Do we regret leaving you? Do the happiness and elation you brought us outweigh the sorrow and pain and the indescribable ‘eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die’ sensation that each day brought? We don’t know, we think perhaps not. No, we wouldn’t have you again for worlds, but we wouldn’t have missed you! You made men out of boys and we’re grateful. So Long, Biggin Hill. 32 Squadron will never forget you” (in Ogley 1990: 61) ‘Shortly before noon on Friday, 30th August, 150 German bombers, escorted by a similar number Reproduction of Medical Officers report to the of fighters, swept over Kent and fanned out towards the inner ring of airfields around the capital. Station Commander concerning raids on 30 and Radio-location and the Observer Corps gave ample warning; at Biggin Hill the Controller was able 31 August to get his squadrons airborne in time to tear the guts out of a formation sent to wipe the Bump from the map […] At six o’clock that evening the Luftwaffe returned and, for once, caught Biggin Hill unawares’ (Wallace 1958: 128) ‘Although only nine Ju. 88s were attacking Biggin Hill, the havoc they wrought was appaling. The Images of German fighters and bombers over Workshops, some of the cookhouses and the NAAFI were all wrecked; the Sergeants’ Mess, the Biggin Hill (see Ogley 1990: 68), and the Waafery and the airmen’s barracks were made uninhabitable; ninety percent of the station’s destruction they wrought transport, so carefully dispersed, was damaged or destroyed; one hangar received a direct hit; two aircraft were burnt out and all electricity, water and gas mains cut’ (Wallace 1958: 129) ‘The funeral of those who had been killed during the raids was held at noon in the little cemetery Images of cemetery at St. Mary Cray where beyond the boundary of the airfield. Over fifty coffins lay beside the rows of newly-dug graves, but many of the people killed in bombing of 1940 there was not sufficient Union Jacks to cover all. The station was represented by Group Captain are interred Grice and Secton Officer Hanbury, for few could be spared while Biggin Hill carried on the bitter business of war, but there were many civilians present, friends and relatives of the dead’ (Wallace 1958: 134) ‘In the village an emergency Operations Room was improvised in a shop where the controllers and plotters carried on with the aid of a school blackboard and chalks until such time as a requisitioned country house, “Towerfields”, was converted into a new Operations Block’ (Wallace 1958: 135) ‘By early September the Garden of England and the London suburbs were littered with the Historic image of local pub wreckage of enemy aircraft and many Nazi prisoners were held in town and village police stations. On occasions German airmen were taken to the Guard Room at Biggin Hill, having first been entertained in the Mess – a custom that continued throughout the war. Few of them, it seemed, appreciated the splendid Westerham Ale’ (Ogley 1990: 74) BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 78 ‘On 7 September, the Blitz began with a massive raid targeting the capital’s docks which were set ablaze, killing or injuring two thousand people. The attack on London, ironically, bought time for Fighter Command which, with the attrition tactics of the previous few weeks, was seriously compromised and nearing the limits of it machinery and manpower’ (Hill 2003: 11) ‘By September 1940 the aircraft industry was turning out around a hundred and twenty fighter planes each week’ (Hill 2003: 11) ‘Sunday, September 15, 1940, celebrated each year as Battle of Britain Day, was a climax to the Reproduction of signal aerial assault of Great Britain. One month earlier the Luftwaffe was confident of wrestling air supremacy from the RAF […] Two days later Hitler issued the signal which postponed the invasion of Britain: “The enemy air force is by no means defeated, on the contrary it shows increasing activity. The Image of Spitfires and Hurricanes under weather situation as a whole does not permit us to expect a period of calm. The Fuhrer has construction therefore decided to postpone ’Operation Sealion’ indefinitely” (Ogley 1990: 82) ‘Almost every day another new Spitfire would be delivered to Biggin Hill to replace those lost and fresh pilots posted to fill the shoes of those killed in combat. Both the station’s aircraft losses and Roll of Honour grew depressingly large’ (Ogley 1990: 89) ‘On 15 September, the Luftwaffe attacked in huge formation. This was the day that had originally been set as the date for the German invasion of Britain, so it had immense significance for Hitler and Goering. Although the final tally of twenty-seven losses for Fighter Command to fifty-six downed Luftwaffe aircraft was not a particularly remarkable score, the fact that the RAF was able to mount such a massive force was of momentous consequence. The Germans felt beaten and, together with the deteriorating autumn weather, an invasion seemed no longer feasible. Two days later, on 17 September, Hitler postponed indefinitely ‘Operation Sealion’, as the invasion plans had been codenamed. Never again did the Luftwaffe come in such numbers to engage Fighter Command and by the end of October the Battle of Britain was deemed to be over’ (Hill 2003: 11) ‘Although October 30 was officially designated as the end of the Battle of Britain, the intensive Images and footage of Blitz bombing of British towns and cities continued without respite. Already more than 13,000 citizens had been killed and more than 20,000 injured. The pattern of fighting also continued until the Luftwaffe conserved its bombers for the night-time Blitz’ (Ogley 1990: 94) THE TACTICS AND MACHINERY OF AERIAL COMBAT ‘All signals to scramble came from Fighter Command HQ at Bentley Priory where information from RDF (Radar) stations or the Observer Corps was received’ (Hill 2003: 40) BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 79 ‘Hurricanes formed the backbone of the RAF’s fighter strength during the Battle of Britain. Despite the fact they would appear to have been outclassed by the Me109, the RAF’s 1715 Hurricanes were responsible for over three-quarters of the Luftwaffe planes taken out of action by Fighter Command’ (Hill 2003: 59) ‘During a battle a fighter aircraft would typically have thirty-five minutes between sorties, when indefatigable ground crew would check the plane over, refuel and ready it for take-off, while the pilot was rested and debriefed’ (Hill 2003: 10) ‘Daily, the Luftwaffe Messerschmitts would engage RAF Hurricanes and Spitfires, while Junkers Struka and Dornier bombers would attempt to break through to attack the airfields’ (Hill 2003:10) THE HARDEST DAYS On August 30, 1940, nine Junckers 88s bombed Biggin Hill, destroying the cookhouse, workshops Photographs of destruction caused at Biggin Hill and Naafi. One hangar was blown up, two aircraft destroyed and most of the station’s transport set on fire. ‘Worst of all an air-raid shelter crammed with airmen received a direct hit and was reduced to a yawning crater full of ruble and mangled bodies. The death toll was more than 39’ (Ogley 1990: 64) ‘The bombing of Biggin Hill continued day after day until there was nothing left to destroy except part of one hangar, the clothing equipment store and the remarkable resilience of Group Captain Grice and the 1000 people who worked on ‘The Bump’ (Ogley 1990: 71) THE STRONGEST LINK ‘As head of Fighter Command, Dowding had taken the decision to husband his resources, and use Medals awarded to pilots and other crew only the squadrons in south-east England, chiefly those in Number 11 Group, to engage the stationed at RAF Biggin Hill enemy. This put immense pressure on those squadrons’ (Hill 2003: 10) ‘The south-east corner of England saw the greatest action during the ‘Spitfire Summer’ of 1940 as it was the closest area to Luftwaffe bases in Germany and continental Europe. Additionally, the development of radar meant that the RAF was able to intercept raiders soon after they crossed the Channel’ (Hill 2003: 43) ‘The casual pictures of pilots lying on the ground, lounging in deck chairs or playing cards in the Images of pilots in and around dispersal huts sunshine belies the real tension of those hours waiting for a scramble. The atmosphere at the dispersal was often electric and tempers would frequently flare. On occasions a pilot would disappear behind the hut to retch and heave but when the real thing came he would sprint furiously to his aircraft, clip on his parachute and climb into the cockpit. Both 32 and 610 could be airborne in two minutes’ (Ogley 1990: 46) September 1940 – ‘For three weeks wave after wave of Luftwaffe raiders dropped their bombs BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 80 on London, killing more than 7000 people and injuring 9000 […] On Friday September 27 came the last of the great daytime assaults on London by big bomber formations. Many never made it to the capital that day, for they were met head on by the Spitfires of 92 and 72 Squadrons in a series of explosive battles over the orchards of Kent’ (Ogley 1990: 87) PILOTS FROM ACROSS THE WORLD ‘Dowding’s biggest problem was not shortage of aircraft, now forthcoming from the factories in ever-increasing numbers, but pilots. The casualty rate of trained, experienced men had become so desperate that […] we might well have lost the victory that was the Battle of Britain’ (Wallace 1958: 153) ‘In July 1940 32 Squadron welcomed three Polish airmen to Biggin Hill. Pilot Officers Pfeiffer, Wlasnowalski and Pniak, better known as Fifi, Vodka and Cognac!’ (Ogley 1990: 45) ‘Sailor Malan, who commanded 74 ‘Tiger’ Squadron, arrived at Biggin Hill on October 13, 1940, Image of Sailor Malan and reproduction of his with his dog, Peter, and a reputation as one of the most fearless and skilful pilots in Fighter ‘Ten Rules for Air Fighting’ Command. In February 1941 he relinquished command of the Tiger Squadron to command the Biggin Hill Wing’ (Ogley 1990: 94) Sailor Malan’s “Ten Rules for Air Fighting” (Wallace 1958: 204) ‘Squadron Leader Raymond Duke-Woolley, who commanded 124 flew in to Biggin Hill on November 17, 1941 with one of the most cosmopolitan squadrons ever assembled. Its pilots included Belgians, French, Czechoslovakians, Norwegians, Australians and Canadians’ (Ogley 1990: 112) Between May and September 1942 133 Eagle Squadron from the US were stationed at Biggin Hill. ‘It was on 3rd May, 1942, that “Old Glory” was unfurled for the first time on Biggin Hill, waving proudly outside the dispersal hut’ (Wallace 1958: 191) The Free French Squadron Le Groupe, Ile de France, No 340 arrived at Biggin Hill in mid- September 1942 – ‘A solemn occasion for 340 Squadron came on November 10 when General de Gaulle visited Biggin Hill and inspected the pilots and ground crews. During lunch that followed in the Mess, de Gaulle told them that preparations were in hand for the liberation of France’ (Ogley 1990: 118) LIFE ON AND AROUND THE AIRFIELD ‘A defence measure which caused great hardship to local residents was the closure of the Bromley-Westerham road to all private cars and pedestrians. This road ran through the station BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 81 close to two of the most vital buildings, the Operations Room and the power house, the first targets for sabotage’ (Wallace 1958: 79) ‘Those who worked behind the scenes… the fitters, mechanics, controllers, drivers, administrators, Images and oral histories of ground crew, along caterers, civilian personnel and those lovely, cheerful WAAFs who played their part in winning the with the tools of their various trades war’ (Ogley 1990: 3) ‘A vital part of the air battles of 1940 was the work of the ground crews in re-arming the aircraft’ (Ogley 1990: 43) “The pilots have always received magnificent support from ground personnel, whether their duties have been concerned with the direct servicing of aircraft at dispersals, the dirty and arduous work in the workshops, the supply of equipment for pilots, or whether they have been concerned with their payment, their clothing, their cooking or their living conditions. You are absolutely vital to the successful continuation and termination of this grim war” (Sailor Malan, 1943. In Ogley 1990: 131) ‘To save valuable time breakfast was often brought out to the ground crew as they serviced the Image of ground crew eating on tailplane of 79 aircraft’ (Ogley 1990: 63) Squadron Hurricane (Ogley 1990: 63) “The Spitfire pilot in 1940…faced a longish day … from half an hour before dawn to half an hour after dusk – but he flew from a warm and comfortable base with the most versatile of all fighter aircraft, and being a single seater he was more or less master of his own fate. I suppose at the height of the Battle of Britain we averaged three, sometimes four, sorties a day, but a sortie seldom lasted more than an hour, and we had the immense moral advantage of fighting over our own territory. Surprising how fierce one’s protective instincts become at the sight of an enemy violating one’s homeland, and how comforting the knowledge that if one is shot down one at least has a chance of living to fight another day” (Wing Commander Kingcome in Ogley 1990: 7) ‘Formed after the outbreak of war with personnel from the Auxiliary Air Force and the Volunteer Reserve, 92’s pilots delighted in giving an impression of being a bunch of long-haired playboys, but appearances are deceptive. They dressed in silk shirts, sported polka-dot cravats and had their tunics lined with red silk. They drove fast racing cars, cultivated glamorous models from London and were famous for their high party spirits – but they also shot down Huns’ (Wallace 1958: 138) 92 Squadron lived at “Southwood” manor house – ‘Lit by oil lamps and candles, with casual, cigarette-scarred furniture, 92 Squadron’s new home carelessly achieved the effect of a sophisticated night club, occasionally the scene of parties which lasted until dawn…’ (Wallace 1958: 141) “High ranks, low ranks, everybody come, To the pilots locker-room and have a lot of rum. I know, you know, we can chase the blues, BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 82 So let us introduce you to the fighting 92s” (Wallace 1958: 150) “I remember Biggin Hill with enormous affection. The strange double life, each one curiously Oral history recordings of pilots recollecting life detached from the other. One moment high above the earth watching a sunrise not yet visible at Biggin Hill below, killing and avoiding being killed; and the next chatting with the locals over a pint of beer in a cosy country pub as casually as though we had just stepped off the 6 o’clock from Waterloo after a day in the City. Occasionally a local commenting critically on the aerial activity he had witnessed that day as if he were discussing his local football team. And the next morning back to the unreal world and the twisting smoke trails at angels two-five. This could only happen to a fighter pilot” (Wing Commander Kingcome in Ogley 1990: 7) ‘The life of a pilot was unpredictable, sometimes flying a continual series of sorties, sometimes just Image of pilots asleep in scramble hut waiting around for the next call. At the height of the Battle of Britain, fliers were often exhausted and had to snatch a sleep whenever and wherever they could’ (Hill 2003: 77) ‘Games, reading, listening to the radio or records on the gramophone, sleeping or chatting were all Images of pilots playing games in scramble hut, ways to pass the time while waiting for the call to action’ (Hill 2003: 80) with example objects from the period ‘The medico’s advised 92’s pilots to go easy, but true relaxation was impossible to achieve; only in complete exhaustion could some of them find peace. No man could achieve sleep, lying in bed listening to the thunderous barrage outside and thinking about the next day, which might well be his last. Some were secretly taking Benzedrine but each time Group Captain Grice suggested they should take a rest, they denied their weariness’ (Wallace 1958: 151) Flight Lieutenant Johnny Kent to 92 Squadron – “Now, your billets. It appears that you have Reproduction of Kent’s command turned the living quarters, which were allotted to you to provide a certain amount of security and rest, into a night club. It also appears that you ask your various lady friends down to spend weekends with you whenever you please. This will cease. All women will be out of the house by 2030 hours sharp” (in Ogley 1990: 91) The 74 Tiger Squadron, commanded by Sailor Malan – ‘The Tigers were the very antithesis of the easy-going pilots of 92 squadron who argued that as long as they were good in the air, it did not much matter how they conducted themselves on the ground’ (Wallace 1958: 153) In the aftermath of the Battle of Britain, the new station Commander at Biggin Hill Group Captain Reproduction of letter F. O. Soden wrote to the Secretary of State to the Air Ministry: “I have just taken over Biggin Hill and the chaps are living under conditions of unnecessary filth and squalor; in fact, seldom, if ever, has so little been done for those few who have done so much for so many” (in Ogley 1990: 97) ‘The pilots of 74 and 92 Squadrons, now joined by No. 66 from water-logged West Malling, were BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 83 sleeping in country houses in the district. The majority of airmen, about a thousand, lived in huts in the South Camp vacated by the Army while three hundred more were billeted out in the villages of Biggin Hill and Downe’ (Wallace 1958: 154) ‘In the fashion now expected of them, the pilots of 92 East India Squadron celebrated their first Image of Noel Coward at Biggin Hill anniversary on ‘The Bump’ with a massive party and cabaret. Among the guests was Noel Coward. Biggin Hill was very popular with stage and screen stars. Laurence Olivier, Vivian Leigh and Jack Warner were frequent visitors’ (Ogley 1990: 104) ‘Kath Preston, the landlady of the White Hart in Brasted, often wondered why German Blackout screen with signatures from The White Intelligence had not identified her pub for a specific bombing raid. On a Saturday night towards Hart. Held at Shoreham Museum closing time they could have wiped out a complete squadron and saved themselves a lot of trouble’ (Ogley 1990: 113) 20th January 1943 – ‘While several squadrons staged diversions over the coast, twenty raiders, Focke-Wulfs carrying bombs, had swept in over Kent at zero feet bound for Biggin Hill. They overshot the airfield and dropped their bombs in Bromley, hitting a school and killing four teachers and forty-five children…’ (Wallace 1958: 205) ‘Since 1941 the increasing airmindedness of Britain’s youth had been fostered by the Air Training Corps. The cadet’s training was intensely practical and those living in North Kent were privileged to visit Biggin Hill regularly to absorb the atmosphere of a front-line fighter station. Pilots and airmen willingly instructed the lads who were, often enough, only a few years their juniors. Many came from Dulwich and Epsom Colleges. They were in their element wearing dungarees, smeared from head to foot with grease, and what they did not know about a Merlin engine was hardly worth knowing. Once, when the ground crews happened to be off-duty, some 150 cadets were scatted about the dispersals. An unexpected scramble came and immediately pilots started to rush Archival footage celebrating 1000th kill and for their aircraft on cycles, in jeeps and cars. They found the Spitfires with the engines warmed up images of Rene Mouchotte and Jack Charles for instant take-off. After they had gone the Station Commander broadcast a personal message of thanks to all the ground crews for the speed with which they had put the spitfires into the air. Diary of ‘Rene’ Mouchotte, the ‘Fighting Sailor Malan never realised that the job had largely been done by the ATC cadets’ (Wallace 1958: Frenchman’ 211-2) ‘The first flying bomb to be launched against London fell at Swanscombe, near Gravesend, at 4.18am on 13th June. Biggin Hill, now re-named No. 22 Balloon Centre, was once again a front-line station in the defence of London against enemy aircraft – this time the aircraft were pilotless and unseeing, and unable to take evasive action. There was a difference, too, in the spirit of the 519 airmen and 177 WAAFs living on the station. During the Battle of Britain they knew they were dealing with other human beings, a relationship of friend and foe was established, and they learnt to anticipate and brace themselves for the daily crises of danger. Now the danger was constant, a Reproduction of Bill Hooper’s cartoon (see strain from which there was no escaping, and they had to learn to live with the threat of Ogley 1990: 126) annihilation twenty-four hours a day’ (Wallace 1958: 218) BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 84 TAKING THE OFFENSIVE The Sector claimed its 1000th enemy plane shot down in the Spring of 1943. A Frenchman - Rene Mouchotte - and a Canadian – Jack Charles – shared the honour: “The day of the offensive which is fast approaching will find a young force, terribly armed with a Menu and invitation for celebration party science of warfare and discipline. We shall put our whole soul into this holy war of liberation and the Octopus shall perish, even if it costs us our lives…” (‘Rene’ Mouchotte in Ogley 1990: 124) Inscribed steering wheel ‘When operations over France did take place, the squadrons were frequently united into a wing formation, fighting and flying as one, led by a Wing Commander. The first two to be appointed were Malan, who relinquished his beloved Tiger Squadron in order to command Biggin Wing, and the Sailors friend and rival in fame, Douglas Bader, who led the Tangmere Wing’ (Wallace 1958: 167) “You are members of the sector station which has produced the most outstanding achievements in the Battle of Britain and which, not being content with the standards set in 1940, has continued in the lead as the foremost sector in this Command. Today, as most of you know, the Biggin Hill Sector is closely approaching its thousandth confirmed victory, not to mention the ‘probably confirmed’ and ‘unconfirmed’… Every minute of every day you spend at your work you are performing a task which is making history and which will go down to posterity as the most glorious achievement by a magnificent Service at a time when its country and Empire needed it most” (Sailor Malan in Ogley 1990: 124) 1000 guests attended a party at Grosvenor House to celebrate the achievement – they were treated to a free bar, lobster, and a band. ‘Fifty London cabbies insisted on driving the pilots up to Grosvenor House free of charge for the thousandth kill night. The steering wheel is inscribed: “From the boys in the cabs to the boys we had the honour to drive”. (Ogley 1990: 127) ‘In the welter of combat there was no time to consult a manual of aircraft identification. This became an absolute fetish with the Station Commander, Dickie Barwell; identification competitions were held, aircraft models festooned the dispersal huts and messes, and attendance was made compulsory at film shows and lectures given by “Spy” de la Torre…’ (Wallace 1958: 189) BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 85 Remembering The Few Four hundred and fifty-three aircrew were killed while flying from the Biggin Hill Sector between 1939 and 1945. Even during the war, efforts were made to ensure they would be properly remembered. This continues today “The gratitude of every home in our island, in our Empire, and indeed throughout the world, Recording of speech except in the abodes of the guilty, goes out to the British airmen who, undaunted by odds, unwearied in their constant challenge and mortal danger, turned the tide of the world war by their prowess and by their devotion. Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few” (Winston Churchill in Ogley 1990: 6) THE FIRST CHAPEL ‘Soon after Biggin Hill registered its ‘1000th Kill’ and then lost the charismatic Frenchman, Rene Mouchotte, the station’s Padre, the Rev. Cecil King felt the time was right to build a permanent memorial chapel in memory of every pilot who had paid the supreme sacrifice. The chapel was housed in a disused army hut and dedicated on Sunday September 19, 1943 by Station Commander Sailor Malan. During the service he unveiled a Reredos, made of oak which bore the Images of first chapel names of Dunkirk, Dieppe and the Battle of Britain and contained the names of every pilot who took off under the colours of the Biggin Hill Wing, never to return. The pulpit was made by a local carpenter and a policeman from Sevenoaks carved the astral crown and wings’ (Ogley 1990: 142) ‘Building the memorial was ‘very much a community effort’ (Wright 1980: 67) ‘In 1946 the little memorial chapel, which was in daily use as the station church, caught fire and Images of ruined chapel was totally gutted’ (Ogley 1990: 143) ST. GEORGE’S MEMORIAL CHAPEL In 1946 Padre Cecil King devoted his energies to the building of a new Chapel – a purpose built building in memory of the pilots who died. He became the driving force behind and appeal and contributions came from all over the world. Two overseas airmen played a crucial role in rebuilding the Chapel: Flight Lieutenant Wemyss Wylton Todd and Flying Officer Kazimierz Zakrzewski-Rucinski, both of whom had previously been imprisoned at Stalag Luft III ‘The Chapel was built in a rich red brick with a large barn-style roof in heavy terra cotta tiles, the BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 86 tower with a small roof to match. Inside a very special tranquility was created, the severity and Model of St. George’s Chapel – could be simplicity personified in the plain brick walls’ (Ogley 1990: 143) interactive? ‘The Chapel contains 12 stained glass windows, each telling a story, depicting the spirit of Biggin Hill. There are the badges of the seven squadrons who served at The Bump during the Battle of Photographs of Todd and Zakrzewski-Rucinski Britain, the badges of Fighter Command, No 11 Group and the Station and there are portraits of the immortal Spitfire and Hurricane’ (Ogley 1990: 143) ‘In the whole of the Free World there is no better memorial to The Few’ (Ogley 1990: 143) REMEMBERING THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN TODAY New content to be generated as part of museum development BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 87 APPENDIX III - CONTENT PLAN From the above research and interpretive development, we can begin to included here, but should be seen as an important element in providing a map out potential content for the Biggin Hill Memorial Museum. At this stage richly and layered visitor experience at the new museum. the below list should be seen as indicative and evolving rather than comprehensive. We identify key items that will help tell the story and communicate the key messages outlined in the Interpretation Plan. These encompass physical artefacts, film footage, photographs (original and reproduced), ephemera, documents and audio recordings. As described in the Interpretation Plan, these will be supplemented by interactives housed in original or replica objects (radio sets for example). Such items are not BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 88 EXHIBIT AREA SUB-SECTION CONTENT USE 1. Introductory Zone N/A Original AV display based on footage of aerial Ceiling projection combat Historic and contemporary aerial photographs Large scale reproduction of Biggin Hill site highlighting topography of area Historic map of Biggin Hill and surrounding area Large scale reproduction 2. Experimentation and Wireless Technology Original radio transmitters of the type Object display Innovation developed at Biggin Hill Replica interactive radio transmitters with new Physical interactive recordings of historic communications Historic photographs of Wireless Testing Park Digital display or large scale and Wireless Experimental Establishment reproduction Documentation related to WTP and WEE Document display; Reproduction Strategy and WW1 Historic photographs of planes flown from Digital display or large scale Biggin Hill, including RE7, Bristol Fighter and reproduction Sopwith’s Digital display or large scale Historic photographs of captured German reproduction bombers at Biggin Hill Physical interactive Replica sound detector housing interactive Object display Pieces of fabric from German Gotha shot down in 1918 Digital display or large scale Historic group and portrait photographs of reproduction pilots and others stationed at Biggin Hill, including Lieutenant Hardit Singh Malik BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 89 Interwar Innovation Objects and photographs related to 141 ‘Cock’ Digital display or large scale Squadron reproduction Objects invented at Biggin Hill Object display Replica’s of above housing interactives Physical interactive Pilot’s log books from period Original document display / reproduction Documentation related to Instrument Design Document display / Establishment (1917-1923) reproduction Contemporary photographs of sound detectors Large scale reproduction on south coast Preparing for WW2 German maps documenting invasion plans Digital display or large scale reproduction Historic photographs showing might of Object display; Luftwaffe, and related small objects reproduction images Historic maps of Fighter Command Digital display or large scale organisation reproduction Digital display or large scale Historic photographs of Chain Home reproduction development Physical interactive Replica radio housing audio interactive of Churchill speeches BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 90 EXHIBIT AREA SUB-SECTION CONTENT USE 3. Bravery WW2 and Biggin Hill Insignia of squadrons who flew at Biggin Hill Original artwork wall during the war display Historic photographs of site during WW2, including individual and group portraits Digital display or large scale reproduction Oral history recordings of pilots and others stationed at Biggin Hill Short audio recordings within directional sound Replica Spitfire / Hurricane cockpit area Physical interactive The Battle of Britain Historic photographs of battle raging in the air AV projection and the Few Replica radio housing audio interactive of Physical interactive Churchill and Lord Haw Haw speeches Oral history recordings of pilots Short audio recordings within directional sound area Historic photographs of damage to Biggin Hill aerodrome Digital display or large scale reproduction Pilots log books Original document display / reproduction Original newspaper headlines and articles documenting Battle – local, national and Digital display or large scale international reproduction Historic news footage of Battle Projection using technology from the period Illustrations, paintings and other visual resources documenting control centres and operations Digital display or large scale rooms reproduction BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 9 1 The WAAF Medals given to Elizabeth Mortimer and others Object display / large scale (replicas or visual display if originals not reproduction available) Digital display or large scale Historic photographs of WAAF’s stationed at reproduction Biggin Hill Document display / short Oral history recordings and diaries of WAAF’s audio recordings within directional sound area Object display Small objects related to WAAF The Many Historic photographs of ground crew, Digital display or large scale controllers, civilians etc. during WW2 reproduction Historic photographs and other imagery of Digital display or large scale impact on Biggin Hill and surrounding area reproduction Oral history recordings of ground crew and Short audio recordings local people within directional sound area Small objects related to ground crew and local community affected by WW2 Object display An International Historic photographs (portraits and group Digital display or large scale Team images) of overseas pilots stationed at Biggin reproduction Hill Original document display / Pilots log books reproduction Object display Small objects related to overseas fighters (personal trinkets, insignia, uniforms etc.) Short audio recordings Oral history recordings from overseas pilots within directional sound area BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 9 2 Scrambling Original scramble bell from Biggin Hill Object display Replica or original comparative objects Experiential object display representing life in the dispersal huts: board (not in cases) games; deck chairs; mascots; posters; radio; gramophone; telephone; deck of cards Table used by pilots Object display Audio and projection of pilot(s) in dispersal hut AV projection 4. Remembering N/A Original footage of news reports celebrating AV projection ‘1000th Kill’ Original footage of news reports from ‘Battle of AV projection Britain Day’ (1943) Photographic portraits of all pilots who lost Reproductions as part of their lives large wall display New memorial to ground crew and others Object display killed on site during WW2 Recording of Churchill’s speech on Physical interactive establishment of Chapel 5. Exit N/A Signature board from White Hart in Brasted Object display BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 9 3 BIBLIOGRAPHY Bungay, S., 2010. Most Dangerous Enemy: A History of the Battle of Britain. (Aruim Press) Caygill, P., 2008. The Biggin Hill Wing 1941: From Defence to Attack. (Pen & Sword Aviation) Conyers Nesbit, C., 1990. An Illustrated History of the RAF. (Godalming: Colour Library Books) Ferguson, N., 2015. The Battle of Britain: A Miscellany. (Summersdale) Hill, M., 2003. The Battle of Britain. (London: Marks & Spencer) McKay, S., 2016. The Secret Life of Fighter Command. (Aurum Press) Nash, P., 2015. Battle of Britain over Kent: Bitter Harvest (3 Vols). (Paul Nash) Neil, T., 2015. Scramble: The Dramatic Story of a Young Fighter Pilot’s Experiences During the Battle of Britain and the Siege of Malta. (Amberley) Ogley, B., 1990. Biggin on the Bump: The most famous fighter station in the world. (Westerham: Froglets) Ogley, B., 2001. The Ghosts of Biggin Hill. (Westerham: Froglets) Reeve, J., 2015. Battle of Britain Voices: 37 Fighter Pilots Tell Their Extraordinary Stories. (Amberley Publishing) Smith, R. C., 2015. RAF Biggin Hill 1939-40: The Story of the Aerodromes Role during the Battle for France, Dunkirk and the Battle of Britain. (Mitor) Wallace, G., 1958. RAF Biggin Hill. (Putnam) Wellum, G., 2008. First Light. (Penguin) Wright, N., 1980. The Bump. (London: RAF) BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 9 4 1 Naoroji Street London WC1X 0GB +44 ( 0)20 7278 7847 [email protected] www.barkerlangham.co.uk BIGGIN HILL MEMORIAL MUSEUM 100