15/09/2026
Defending London from the Front Line: Peter Townsend at RAF Croydon 🇬🇧✈️
On this Battle of Britain Day (15th September), we remember the turning point of the war in 1940 when the skies over southern England became the front line of freedom. During that brutal summer, Croydon Airport shifted from a glamorous civil terminal into RAF Croydon—a frontline fighter base tasked with defending London from relentless Luftwaffe attacks. Leading the charge from Croydon was Squadron Leader (later Group Captain) Peter Townsend, commanding the legendary No. 85 Squadron and their Hawker Hurricanes. Long before he gained global fame for his tragic, post-war romance with Princess Margaret, Townsend was first and foremost a dedicated war hero. He and his pilots were proudly part of "The Few"—the brave aircrews Winston Churchill famously praised for saving the nation.
Here is a snapshot of their intense deployment:
Into the Fire: Arriving on 19 August, Townsend and his pilots faced non-stop emergency scrambles, intercepting massive German bomber formations and fighter escorts daily.
Fierce Aerial Success: Operating out of Croydon, Townsend personally claimed multiple enemy aircraft destroyed, including Dornier bombers and Messerschmitt Bf 109s.
The Ultimate Sacrifice: The attrition rate was brutal. Townsend later noted that 14 out of the squadron’s 20 pilots were shot down during this single fortnight.
Wounded in Action: On 31 August 1940, Townsend’s Hurricane was torn apart during a fierce dogfight. He baled out safely but suffered a severe shell wound to his foot, which ultimately resulted in the amputation of his big toe. Despite the debilitating injury, Townsend famously refused to stay sidelined, defying medical odds to be lifted back into a Hurricane cockpit just weeks later.
Today, the historic terminal building and the world's oldest air traffic control tower still stand at the Croydon Airport Visitor Centre, preserving the memory of Townsend and the legendary "Few" who fought in the skies above. Lest we forget. 🌹
Photos: HCAT/CAVC
