It was established in 1940 with the headquarters in Leighton Buzzard, as part of RAF Fighter Command.

[2] It controlled the electronic Air defence radar network across Britain.

It was responsible for all civilian and service personnel involved in the operation, maintenance and calibration of the Chain Home radar stations.

26 Group RAF was formed during August 1918 in the First World War controlling units within Egypt, it was disbanded during March 1919.

It initially controlled the Wireless Schools before being expanded to control all grounds, air & marine signals equipment, direction finding and beam approach stations.