Hello everyone,
as you know the UK is remembering the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain this year. In the UK the BoB is marked of the 15th of September every year so that all those who fought during the battle are remembered.
As a resident Englishman around here, I wanted to leave my own small tribute to “The Few” so that folks take a moment to think of them tomorrow.
“The Few”
Spitfire’s over Britain’s skies, 1940.
Spitfire’s over Britain’s skies, 2010.
Cool tribute TANGO 1
I really like the picture of the Spitfires in 1940. Like all fighter aircraft of WWII they evolved, the flight pictured are close to being out of the first production run.
Other than upgraded power, changes in armament and additional propellers the forum of the Spitfire was perfect for the function. Very few aircraft can claim such longevity in initial design perfection.
Against all odds the brave aircrews of the RAF & Commonwealth won more than the skies, they showed the world there was hope for freedom. Mirroring Churchill’s famous speech it was 'the end of the beginning. ’
Cheers to The Few! I shall remember them, thank you for the reminder Darren.
Thank you Gentlemen. [cptn]
Interesting enough I am working at a home built in 1940. It is located approximately 1 hour north of Halifax. Thinking of the time had the builders design bomb shelters in the basement. Possibly if world events turned out differently it would have been used in 1946? Regardless it is related directly to the Battle of Britain as Hitler contemplated his next move from the white cliffs of western France.
I will snap a few pictures of the rooms, not much to see but concrete walls & roofs yet historical none the less.
Thanks for sharing. Remembering them is honoring them all the brave few.
Since the 15th was my b’day and I’m a huge Anglophile (been to England 11 times) I want to thank you for the post. Are the flyovers in different parts of England every year? Most of my trips have been in winter but I did celebrate my 50th in London in 05 and I hope I didn’t miss anything. Spent most of the day in my favorite pubs! LOL! Thanks again for the post.
I was at Prince Sultan AB Saudi Arabia in 2000 and the RAF did a flyby and had a BBQ for the 60th anniversary.One of the pivotal battles of all time.The right "few"at the right time!
Awesome pictures and a great tribute!
Without the heroics of these men and women, Britain would have fallen to the Nazis. The world owes all of the victorious Allied forces a great debt, but without the victory against the Luftwaffe from August - September 1940, America would have been denied its base of operations against Germany. So from America, a great big thank you!
Thank you very much for your kind words Gentlemen. The last week has seen many tributes to the battle and The Few here in the UK. All the flypasts have mainly been in the south east of the country, as a reminder to remember our debt that we can never repay.
Thank you for taking the time to post here and joining me in my tribute to “The Few.”
Thought you may be interested in this, British Airways laid on a flight for RAF veterans who flew during the BoB and they took in their old cap along the white cliffs of dover.
They were joined by some old friends on their wing…
Great picture.I got a question that maybe somebody can answer.I saw a Spitfire at Northolt ,it was a “Gate Guard”.I heard it was removed and made flyable.Is that true?
It was removed and stood guard at RAF Uxbridge for a few years, then as far as I recall it went onto another RAF station before being bought in the early 80’s. If memory serves I think it was bought by someone for restoration, but to the best of my knowledge it is not flying today.
Thanks for the info.It would be nice if it took to the air again.What model was it?