BATTLE OF BRITAIN DAY
 

Well, it's Battle of Britain Day today....

How many RAF stations held BoB Open Days this year? Or Bobbers Cockers Ps?

A certain DVD will get an airing later - because there seems to be absolutely nothing to commemorate the day on BBC1-4, ITV 1-4 or Ch 5.....

Copy of said DVD at the ready Sir !

Time to remember the valiant sacrifice of The Few ... many no longer with us :(

RIP Sam ... You made such an impression on my life as a youngster ... God bless.

http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/...r/images-1.jpg

Flt Lt R M D Hall DFC (Sam) ... One of The Few ... Based at RAF Hawkinge, 152 Squadron during the BoB. He shot down three enemy aircraft during the Battle of Britain a Me109 and two Me110 IIRC.

How long before 'the' photo of SY gets an airing on this thread?

Just squeezing myself into my No1s to do some marching. There are some events organised, looking at the met though it seems there will be a 'mustiness' in the air later

They moved the BoB cocktail party because the weather was unpredictable. A different commemoration that I attend moved from the 3 week in October, the night of the action, to the first weekend for the same reason.

As the dwindling number of survivors are growing ever older the date has now been moved forward another week in to September.

At least they have a good reason as it is a small commemoration and age is wearying them. Not so now the annual BoB cocktail party that ought to be returned to its rightful date.

Best ever display last night by a clipped wing Spitfire over the BoB CTP at Thorney Island Sailing Club (originally RAFSA but under ASA auspices since the Royal Artillery moved on to the island). The RAF ensign flew at the truck of the mast and the club's commodore (ex-RN) insists that it will fly again today.

If the pilot sees this, well done and thank you. You must have heard the oohs and ahs at the level you flew sometimes.

'Twere this day 46 years ago I donned my No 1's and marched smartly around South Cerney to receive my Commision. Following Nav Training I joined my first Squadron and that was ..... 46 Sqn; then Andovers based at Abingdon.
Going to a B of B Memorial service at Brookwood Cemetery this p.m. with a 46Sqn mate. Only seems right to take a noggin afterwards doncha think!?

The very last BoB Cocktail Party I attended was at RAF Bentley Priory - standing on the steps outside Dowding's office chatting with a VSO, much be-medalled, BoB fighter pilot and watching the BBMF Spitfire and Hurricane display.

A truly memorable day!!!!!

As those from 99 Entry RAFC who were commissioned as APOs pre-University in 1969 will recall, our commissiong date was also 15th September.

The same week, I think, that several of us went to see the premiere of Battle of Britain in Nottingham.

15th September 1940. 73 years ago today. Forces that would take the world into a darker place were beaten back, again and again by a few, backed by many, for the good of us all...

A little extra to watch along with the DVD mentioned by BEagle ...

"The Few" - 20 Years Later ...


By the way ... this is what the White Hart looks like these days :{

The White Hart Brasted Kent

The Jackdaw at Denton has at least retained some of it's former ambiance ... but no Miss York.

The Jackdaw Denton Kent

Coff.

BBC Radio 4 at approx 05.45 marked the day and played a recording of Winston and "Never in the field ............... so Few"

Well, BoB celebrations may be getting fewer and further between, but there is one excellent annual event run by the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust. It doesn't happen on BoB day, but on the Sunday nearest to the official start of the battle on 10 July. The venue is the wonderful Battle of Britain Memorial at Capel-le-Ferne, high on the cliffs above Folkestone, near the epicentre of the battle - sometimes referred to as Hellfire Corner.

This year, about a dozen splendid battle veterans graced us with their presence. The RAF Silk Ensign was paraded by the Queen's Colour Squadron, and the salute was taken by Prince Michael of Kent, who's the Trust Patron. A BBMF Spitfire and Hurricane flew low over the salute, and then returned later in the afternoon for a full display.

I really can't recommend the day strongly enough - it is a wonderful occasion.

And if you're not familiar with the memorial itself, it's very much worth a visit at any time. It looks out across the Channel, and on a good day you can see the French coast. The site has a calmness and a strength that is particularly conducive to remembrance and gratitude.

You can find more about it at
Battle of Britain Memorial Trust | The National Memorial to The Few at Capel le Ferne

In 2014, Memorial Day will be Sunday 6 July. See you there, perhaps?

airsound

Quote:
They moved the BoB cocktail party because the weather was unpredictable.

Tsk! Tsk! sir, my fellow Metpersons and I are thick skinned, but not that thick.

Harrumph!

Fleet Air Arm in the Battle of Britain. Part of the Fleet Air Arm Archive 1939-1945

"Lest we forget ...."

Jack

Coff,

Miss York, surely?
Beags is the world-leading expert in this field I believe......

Skua ... my mistake now corrected ... :ok:

If not for the failure of Goering and his ghastly gang, England's national dish could now be Sweinhaxen and sauerkraut instead of chicken tikka masala.

Makes you think.

I feel tonight's viewing is settled ............. Mrs LB tactfully leaves room when SY undresses, so I can press the pause button.

My day would be complete if the gorgeous Martine Croxall [spelling?] were to read the gnus.

LB - Nah, Susannah Reid, IMHO