War on all fronts

摘要

As the Luftwaffe's night blitz against British cities began in the autumn of 1940, the RAF was fortunate in introducing a powerful new night-fighter to service, albeit in relatively small numbers. Nocturnal defence largely fell to Defiants and some radar-equipped Blenheims but Bristol's Beaufighter offered a huge increase in capability. Charged with tactical trials of the newcomer, the Tangmere-based Fighter Interception Unit (FIU) flew its first Beaufighter operation on the night of September 4, 1940. Four early production examples had been delivered to frontline units: R2056 to 25 Squadron at North Weald, R2072 to 29 at Digby, R2070 to 219 at Catterick and 604 at Middle Wallop received R2073. This initial batch was armed with cannon only but also had AI (airborne interception) Mk.Ⅳ radar.