Hope you don’t mind but as so many of you have an interest in WWII fighters I thought that I would remind you the the UK marks The Battle of Britain on the 15th of September.
Britains, Canadians, Americans, Poles and Others fought bravely in the defence of the country which I call home. They flew in Hurricanes and Spitfires against overwhelming odds. They are known today as “The Few”
We owe them so very much so please remember them today.
when the monument was erected there was no Polish Squadrons listed. After some comments it was added however it left a rather bitter taste …
Polish fighters were 20% of the fighting forces during critical days of September 1940 … highest scoring squadron 303 amazed British public … but they were “forgotten” very quickly …
for some who may be interested there are two readings on this subject:
I was browsing through the English web site ‘The Daily Mail’ prior to logging on here, and there was a report of a fatal Hurricane crash at an airshow over there. Took place during a mock scramble of Hurricanes and Spitfires against 3 approaching ME-109’s. Sounds like the pilot went into a steep dive shortly after T/O and plowed into a near by hill. Tragic not only for the loss of the pilot but there’s so few remaining air worthy Hurricanes left. Below is the news story.
A Second World War fighter plane crashed at an airshow yesterday, killing the pilot and narrowly missing a main road.
Crowds watched in horror as the Hurricane veered off course before hurtling into the ground in a fireball during a re-enactment of the Battle of Britain at the Shoreham Air Show in Sussex.
The plane - one of only a dozen Hurricanes still in working order - crashed into a field about a mile from the airfield where more than 20,000 spectators had gathered.
Another eyewitness, Holly Russell, said: "It looked like the plane was doing a dive but it was going too fast and smashed straight into the ground. It was nose down.
Thank you for the reminder Darren! I spent a little extra time this evening gazing at my BoB print on the wall in remembrance. Thank you to all who sacrificed.
I chatted with my Grandfather this evening right after watching the BOB DVD, as I usually do each year. Being the first generation of my family born in Canada, I have strong ties and feelings to the UK. He flew Hurries out of Biggin Hill durring the BOB, and flew a MKIX ( if I remember right) over the beaches at Normandy. He has 3 kills 2 190’s & a 111, with a probable on a Stuka. He was wounded and bailed into the drink. His flying done, he then when Air Sea rescue for the rest of the war. Unfortunatley, he is degrading fast and doesn’t remember much anymore so we usually talk about my military carrer and my flying Cessnas to pass the time. He remains my biggest hero.
Heart felt thoughts go to the pilot of the above Hurrie and his family.
