In this climactic episode of Walking the Ground: Battle of Britain, James Holland and Al Murray retrace the events of 15 September 1940 — the day that changed the course of the Second World War. Known ever since as Battle of Britain Day, it marked the moment when RAF Fighter Command, under the leadership of Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding and Air Vice-Marshal Keith Park, finally broke the Luftwaffe’s offensive and secured Britain’s skies.

Filmed on location at Bentley Priory, RAF Northolt, and Biggin Hill, James and Al uncover how Britain’s revolutionary Dowding System of radar, radio, and coordinated fighter control turned technological innovation into tactical advantage. They walk through the operations rooms and airfields where the battle was directed in real time — from the early radar plots of German raids forming over France to the decisive RAF counterattacks that sent the Luftwaffe reeling.

Through vivid storytelling and on-location insight, they revisit the day’s two major raids over London, examine Ray Holmes’ legendary ramming attack on a Dornier Do 17, and explore how the courage of the RAF’s pilots — “The Few” — turned desperation into triumph. As Churchill watched from the underground bunker at RAF Uxbridge, the fate of the nation hung in the balance. By nightfall, the Luftwaffe had been repelled, and the tide of the Battle of Britain had turned for good.

Join James and Al as they reveal how 15 September became not only the defining day of the Battle of Britain, but the moment Britain’s survival — and future victory — became certain.

Filmed with the kind support of:
Imperial War Museum
Bentley Priory Museum
RAF Northolt
Biggin Hill Museum
The Battle of Britain Memorial, Capel-le-Ferne