The Battle of Britain
Ref' that rather nice story from Southampton, a mate of mine who has lived near that school for many years tells me that there was an earlier memorial "erected where Nicolson landed, down near the docks. It was within the grounds of Mullards / Phillips' works, and apparently until the 1970's could be visited by request, but that whole area's been flattened and rebuilt at least once since then, and we've found no indication of what happened to the memorial; it seems likely to have been bulldozed along with the rest of the buildings."
Does anyone by any chance know whether he is correct ?
Does anyone by any chance know whether he is correct ?
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Salute to the Brave.
Top West 50 (#3), and Robert Cooper (#4),
Well quoted, Gentlemen !
Or, as Macaulay wrote a century ago:
And Robert Cooper quoted Churchill:
For many who took part in those days, it was true of their individual lives, too.
Cheers, both,
Danny42C.
Well quoted, Gentlemen !
Or, as Macaulay wrote a century ago:
"To every man upon this earth
Death cometh soon or late.
And how can man die better
Than facing fearful odds,
For the ashes of his fathers,
And the temples of his Gods."
Death cometh soon or late.
And how can man die better
Than facing fearful odds,
For the ashes of his fathers,
And the temples of his Gods."
And Robert Cooper quoted Churchill:
"This.... was their finest hour.”...
For many who took part in those days, it was true of their individual lives, too.
Cheers, both,
Danny42C.
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Salute to the Brave.
polecat2 (#5),
Met him casually in the Calcutta "Grand" in 1944 after my 'prang'. Looked at my battered face, said sympathetically: "Reflector sight trouble ?" Had a long chat over our "John Collins", very nice chap, no "side" to the man at all.
Years ago I Posted the story of the day he earned his VC on "Pilot's Brevet" Thread, tried to find it to put it in as an excerpt here; "Search this Thread" (predictably) as much use as a sick headache; Google (which can usually find most things) no better. Maybe one of you can find it now.
[Wiki].
Only a few weeks before the end in August ! What a pity !
JOE-FBS (your #21),
More than likely ! (sometimes I despair of this country).
Danny42C.
...BBC TV South today reported that the pupils at a school in Southampton felt that Flt Lt James Nicolson, Fighter Command's only VC, should have some sort of memorial in Southampton as he earned his VC in combat over the town...
Years ago I Posted the story of the day he earned his VC on "Pilot's Brevet" Thread, tried to find it to put it in as an excerpt here; "Search this Thread" (predictably) as much use as a sick headache; Google (which can usually find most things) no better. Maybe one of you can find it now.
...Nicolson was later promoted to Wing Commander. He died in May 1945 whilst an observer on an aircraft that crashed into the sea off Burma...
Only a few weeks before the end in August ! What a pity !
JOE-FBS (your #21),
...Ref' that rather nice story from Southampton, a mate of mine who has lived near that school for many years tells me that there was an earlier memorial "erected where Nicolson landed, down near the docks. It was within the grounds of Mullards / Phillips' works, and apparently until the 1970's could be visited by request, but that whole area's been flattened and rebuilt at least once since then, and we've found no indication of what happened to the memorial; it seems likely to have been bulldozed along with the rest of the buildings."...
Danny42C.
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...and, as always, no-one has mentioned the 790 aircrew of Bomber Command who died during the same period. While Fighter Command defended against the Luftwaffe during the day, the aircrew of Bomber Command went out at night to attack the German invasion barges in the cross channel ports...the Germans were forced to remove these from range before the official end of the BoB (don't believe the film). As Churchill said at the time...the fighter is our means of salvation, but the Bomber is our sole means of victory. Don't forget the "Battle of the Barges" either!
It transpired that he had been flying FW 190s from the Pas de Calais in September 1940 but couldn't remember a battle! A different aspect!
No wonder, Mogwi - the Fw190 wasn't operational until nearly a year later! More than likely he'd have been flying an Me109E.
No wonder, Mogwi - the Fw190 wasn't operational until nearly a year later! More than likely he'd have been flying an Me109E.
Quote:
I wonder how many millions of recent immigrants to Britain even care about BoB Day?
I wonder how many native Brits actually care nowadays...
I wonder how many millions of recent immigrants to Britain even care about BoB Day?
I wonder how many native Brits actually care nowadays...
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Ref' that rather nice story from Southampton, a mate of mine who has lived near that school for many years tells me that there was an earlier memorial "erected where Nicolson landed, down near the docks. It was within the grounds of Mullards / Phillips' works, and apparently until the 1970's could be visited by request, but that whole area's been flattened and rebuilt at least once since then, and we've found no indication of what happened to the memorial; it seems likely to have been bulldozed along with the rest of the buildings."
Does anyone by any chance know whether he is correct ?
Does anyone by any chance know whether he is correct ?
http://sotonopedia.wdfiles.com/local...2BNicolson.pdf
I do not know the answer to your question though I'm afraid.
Last edited by yellowtriumph; 17th Sep 2016 at 13:39.
Most of us will not have heard of [or care about!] weather "singularities". These are sets of dates within which a weather pattern predominates.
One such is early to mid September, when anticyclones often hold sway. This is quite a reliable singularity unless I rely on it for holidays or exterior decorating.
It worked for the B o B, and my ex-RAF father [Barrage Balloon operator] always called this period "Battle of Britain weather".
We have had a spectacular example this year, such that I managed holiday and decorating.
Don't look for it next year though .....................
One such is early to mid September, when anticyclones often hold sway. This is quite a reliable singularity unless I rely on it for holidays or exterior decorating.
It worked for the B o B, and my ex-RAF father [Barrage Balloon operator] always called this period "Battle of Britain weather".
We have had a spectacular example this year, such that I managed holiday and decorating.
Don't look for it next year though .....................
I bought the BoB DVD....
....at Frankfurt airport
'Weather singularities'? Another weather-guesser's euphemism meaning "We don't really know, but you can probably expect rain", perchance?
We had a chap on one station who was 'involved' with rather a large person-formally-known-as-a-WRAF. He was also nicknamed 'Barrage Balloon Operator'....
....at Frankfurt airport
'Weather singularities'? Another weather-guesser's euphemism meaning "We don't really know, but you can probably expect rain", perchance?
We had a chap on one station who was 'involved' with rather a large person-formally-known-as-a-WRAF. He was also nicknamed 'Barrage Balloon Operator'....
"Mildly" Eccentric Stardriver
Crikey Haraka; you're right. I was with a party that went to the premiere in NI. All in uniform, with the ATC acting as ushers. That was before it all got nasty, of course. That suddenly makes me feel old.
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A day late posting but I signed on the dotted line at Halton 15 September 1958 @ 14.00 in the 2 Wing NAAFI (90th Entry) 59 years ago where has it all gone, well approx 25 serving HMQ.
Thread Starter
As a young fg off with a shiny budgie on my jacket turned up at Duxford when they were making the film. allowed to go anywhere, suit in anything, and living between Cambridge and Ely had a worms eye view of a lot of the flying. Magic.
QUOTE: 'Weather singularities'? Another weather-guesser's euphemism meaning "We don't really know, but you can probably expect rain", perchance?
BEAGS you know you like to be educated, even at this late stage.
Although I don't know why, forecasts have improved dramatically since I retired.
Answers on a postcard, please.
Terms and conditions apply.
BEAGS you know you like to be educated, even at this late stage.
Although I don't know why, forecasts have improved dramatically since I retired.
Answers on a postcard, please.
Terms and conditions apply.
...and, as always, no-one has mentioned the 790 aircrew of Bomber Command who died during the same period. While Fighter Command defended against the Luftwaffe during the day, the aircrew of Bomber Command went out at night to attack the German invasion barges in the cross channel ports...the Germans were forced to remove these from range before the official end of the BoB (don't believe the film). As Churchill said at the time...the fighter is our means of salvation, but the Bomber is our sole means of victory. Don't forget the "Battle of the Barges" either!
At the Duxford show in May last year that had the Blenheim on show for the first time following its rebuild I was standing in front of said aeroplane when a chap comes up to me with an elderly lady in tow and asks whether she can have a look at the rear gunners position. Politely I explained that we were there to keep people from getting too close to the aircraft for their own safety at which point he explained that the lady's late husband had been an Air Gunner on Blenheims during the BoB. He had never talked much about his experiences nor had he claimed his medals( it also appears he went on to serve with the PFF) A claim had been made a few weeks prior and his widow had only just received them. PR were got involved with the upshot that the medals and a photo of her late husband were firmly strapped into the A/G's position whilst the a/c flew its display that day.
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More than likely ! (sometimes I despair of this country).
Danny42C.
Danny42C.
Isn't it true that the town of your current residence has only recently recognised its famous son, the only VC won on D-Day?
I was interested in brokenlink's story about the Blenheim air gunner and his medals. Most people quite naturally associate the Battle of Britain with Spitfire and Hurricane pilots, but no less than nine (I believe) Blenheim squadrons took part, as well as Beaufighters, Defiants and sundry other types. All of their crews were entitled to the rare 'Battle of Britain' clasp.
The only Battle of Britain group of medals I ever owned were to a Sergeant Prosser, who was a Blenheim air gunner. His squadron had been transferred from Coastal to Fighter Command for the duration of the Battle, and thus his medals consisted of 1939-45 Star with 'Battle of Britain' clasp, Atlantic Star with 'Aircrew Europe' clasp and the 1939-45 War Medal, a very unusual combination. It would be interesting to know if the medals referred to in brokenlink's post were the same combination.
The only Battle of Britain group of medals I ever owned were to a Sergeant Prosser, who was a Blenheim air gunner. His squadron had been transferred from Coastal to Fighter Command for the duration of the Battle, and thus his medals consisted of 1939-45 Star with 'Battle of Britain' clasp, Atlantic Star with 'Aircrew Europe' clasp and the 1939-45 War Medal, a very unusual combination. It would be interesting to know if the medals referred to in brokenlink's post were the same combination.