Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
Step back to the earliest days of World War II with this gripping account of the RAF’s first, and nearly forgotten friendly fire incident: The Battle of Barking Creek. On September 6, 1939, as Spitfires and Hurricanes soared into action over England, chaos, confusion, and cutting-edge radar tech collided, leading to one of the most unexpected and tragic encounters in British aviation history.
Discover how tensions, inexperience, and a critical radar malfunction set the stage for a dramatic episode that saw British pilots mistakenly attack their own—a moment that marked the first time a Spitfire ever shot down another aircraft. We break down the chain of events, unravel the controversies behind the infamous nickname, and examine the aftermath for the men involved, including future Wing Commander John Freeborn and ace Adolph “Sailor” Malan.
Whether you’re a WWII history buff or discovering this story for the first time, join us for a deep dive into the facts, myths, and human drama of the RAF’s darkest early hours. Don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comments—and subscribe to Showtime112 for more untold stories from the Second World War!
Main sources:
- epoch-magazine.com/blackbattleofbarkingcreek
- youtu.be/WvIitTMwVEQ?si=_-IqWPV0-l0A6zfJ
Support the channel on Patreon:
patreon.com/showtime112
Donate via Paypal:
paypal.com/paypalme/showtime112
Join our Discord server:
discord.gg/c56q7tUNCP
"Interloper" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
#militaryaviationhistory #royalairforce
Step back to the earliest days of World War II with this gripping account of the RAF’s first, and nearly forgotten friendly fire incident: The Battle of Barking Creek. On September 6, 1939, as Spitfires and Hurricanes soared into action over England, chaos, confusion, and cutting-edge radar tech collided, leading to one of the most unexpected and tragic encounters in British aviation history.
Discover how tensions, inexperience, and a critical radar malfunction set the stage for a dramatic episode that saw British pilots mistakenly attack their own—a moment that marked the first time a Spitfire ever shot down another aircraft. We break down the chain of events, unravel the controversies behind the infamous nickname, and examine the aftermath for the men involved, including future Wing Commander John Freeborn and ace Adolph “Sailor” Malan.
Whether you’re a WWII history buff or discovering this story for the first time, join us for a deep dive into the facts, myths, and human drama of the RAF’s darkest early hours. Don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comments—and subscribe to Showtime112 for more untold stories from the Second World War!
Main sources:
- epoch-magazine.com/blackbattleofbarkingcreek
- youtu.be/WvIitTMwVEQ?si=_-IqWPV0-l0A6zfJ
Support the channel on Patreon:
patreon.com/showtime112
Donate via Paypal:
paypal.com/paypalme/showtime112
Join our Discord server:
discord.gg/c56q7tUNCP
"Interloper" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
#militaryaviationhistory #royalairforce
