Waafs at work monitoring radar blips
For the pilots flying their fighters that summer, the most important voice they were to hear was that of the Controller responsible for guiding them in the right direction around the sky so that they would intercept the enemy. Behind the controller and contributing to his instructions were the WAAFs monitoring the blips on their radar sets and then the WAAFs pushing their billiard cues around the plot laid out at Bentley Priory. Then, at 11 Group, it was the Controller who gave the pilots their course to steer. All were part of an integrated team.
Battle of Britain Day by Day 
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August 19, 2010 at 3:27 pm
Andrew McCrorie
Fighter Command’s control system gave it an edge and helped make it a complete air defense system, something that not even the Luftwaffe had at the time.
The only part that was not fully integrated was 12 Group due the failure of its leadership (and the failure of the RAF to correct it).
August 29, 2010 at 11:10 am
Tony Rudd
I believe 12 Group was integrated into the air defence system, however it was a case of its commanders such as Bader ignoring the instructions given them by their Controllers – basically swanning around the sky looking for the enemy. Every now and then they were lucky and very effective.
September 6, 2010 at 3:16 pm
Andrew McCrorie
12 Group were lucky sometimes but compared to other groups 12 Group squadrons had a low interception rate. When they did intercept they overclaimed (more than other squadrons) due to the confusion inherent in a big wing.
Historical analysis has shown that 12 Group were on the whole ineffective in the BoB, not due to the efforts of its pilots and crew but due to poor leadership. Many 11 Group airfields were bombed when 12 Group should have turned up to protect them.
September 6, 2010 at 8:31 pm
Rod Sanders
Cant argue with your analysis
September 9, 2010 at 4:39 pm
Tony Rudd
Thank you for your perceptive analysis. Very interesting detail which bears out what today is the accepted view of 12 Group and the Big Wing. Many thanks.