Sir Keith Park — World War II. The unsung hero of the Battle of…
By: Jed Graham
Tags: World War II, Politics, World, History

Sir Keith Park — World War II

The unsung hero of the Battle of Britain

German Heinkel He 111s which went into service in 1937. Some 6000 Heinkel He 111s were built but were found to be a poor match for Hurricanes and Spitfires during the Battle of Britain. From Wikipedia.

In the wake of Germany’s rapid conquest of France, the Luftwaffe launched a brutal air campaign against Great Britain that came to be known as the “Blitz.” Germany hoped the campaign would force Britain to negotiate a peace settlement and bring an end to the war on the Western Front.

However, the British put up fierce resistance and handed the Germans their first defeat in World War II at the Battle of Britain. This battle raged from July to October of 1940 as the Luftwaffe attempted to gain air superiority over the Royal Air Force (RAF).

The man behind Britain’s defense

At the heart of this heroic defense of Britain stood Air Vice-Marshal Keith Park, commander of №11 Group RAF. Park’s group was responsible for the protection of London and Southeastern England. As a result, they bore the brunt of the Luftwaffe’s unrelenting, around the clock assault.

Rather than leading from the safety of a bunker, Park led from the frontlines in his personalized Hawker Hurricane. From the cockpit, he earned his reputation as a shrewd tactician, and his hands-on approach to leadership made him popular among his men.

His aggressive tactics and intelligent management of the №11 Group were decisive factors in Britain’s victory. The Luftwaffe failed to neutralize the №11 Group, forcing Germany to shift its focus to bombing London.

Here again, Park’s leadership saved the day. Having kept his group intact, he was able to meet this new threat by the Germans head-on. By October 1940, the Luftwaffe abandoned its attempts at obtaining air superiority and suspended daytime raids on England.

The stiff resistance by Park, his men, and other British air groups had forced the Germans to call off their planned invasion of England, known as Operation Sealion.

Park, in front of his Hurricane on Malta. By Royal Air Force official photographer. From Wikimedia.

Park encounters controversy

Although Park received numerous accolades for his successful actions in the Battle of Britain, a rivalry had developed between him and the Air Vice-Marshal of the №12 Group, Trafford Leigh-Mallory.

Friction erupted between the two commanders during the Battle of Britain due to significant differences in their tactics. Central to their dispute was their failure to coordinate their actions. Some speculate that one significant contributing factor was Leigh-Mallory’s envy of Park. While Park’s group was at the forefront of the battle, Leigh-Mallory’s group had been tasked with protecting Britain’s airfields.

Leigh-Mallory and his supporters in the RAF argued that the tactics employed by Park and his commander Dowding were too cautious. Park would assemble smaller formations comprised of one to two squadrons. Leigh-Mallory called these small formations “penny pockets.” Leigh-Mallory, on the other hand, preferred large formations called “Big Wing.”

This disagreement between the two commanders was disruptive to their efforts, as neither were willing to support the other. Leigh-Mallory’s №12 Group often barged into the middle of fights where Park’s №11 Group was already engaged, causing degradation in their ability to fight effectively.

Despite their differences, history has judged that both approaches had their merit. They would have found even greater success had they been willing to coordinate their efforts.

Leigh-Mallory’s approach destroyed a greater number of German bombers. However, the time it took to assemble his Big Wing formations meant these bombers had already struck their targets and were on their return flight.

Park’s approach using a smaller formation meant they could strike swiftly, reaching the German bombers before hitting their targets. This Fabian strategy effectively reduced the amount of damage caused by the bombers at the cost of fewer bombers destroyed.

No one could see the benefits of coordinating their differing approaches during that time, and the friction between Park and Leigh-Mallory boiled over. Park and his commander Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding, had little interest in the politics of the RAF. As a result, the commands of both men succumbed to the political maneuverings of Leigh-Mallory and the supporters of his Big Wing tactics.

Park was demoted and placed in command of a training wing until 1942 when he was again called upon to mount a defense of Malta, the “most bombed place on earth.” As before in Britain, Park demonstrated his keen ability to lead an air defense. His defense of Malta was a success, and he once again defeated the Luftwaffe.

After the war

Several individuals sang the praises of Sir Keith Park and his contribution to the war effort. Battle of Britain fighter pilot Douglas Bader said of Park, “the awesome responsibility for this country’s survival rested squarely on Keith Park’s shoulders.”

Air Vice-Marshal James Edgar Johnson said, Park “was the only man who could have lost the war in a day or even an afternoon.”

Chief of the Air Staff Arthur Tedder, said of Park:

“If any man won the Battle of Britain, he did. I do not believe it is realized how much that one man, with his leadership, his calm judgment, and his skill, did to save, not only this country but the world.”

Despite these and other accolades, Sir Keith Park has faded from the public’s memory. Nevertheless, efforts have been underway for some time to bring his heroism and contributions made in the world’s darkest hour back into the light.

The Statue of Sir Keith Park unveiled in 2010. Photo by Peter Trimming.

In 2007, private individuals launched the Sir Keith Park Memorial Campaign, and in 2010 the campaign unveiled a statue of Sir Keith Park at Waterloo Place in London, England. This campaign and other efforts help preserve the memory of Britain’s unsung hero of the Battle of Britain.