Battle of Britain 70th Anniversary
10 July 2010 - 15 September 2010
In 1940, from 10 July until 31 October, the Royal Air Force Fighter Command defeated the Luftwaffe's attempt to gain air supremacy over southern England and averted a possible German invasion, downing 1,733 German aircraft and losing 915 of their own.
A total of 504 of the 2,940 pilots of the RAF were killed and their numerical disadvantage prompted Prime Minister Winston Churchill to describe them as the 'few' in his speech to Parliament on 20 August 1940.
The Messerschmitt Bf109E (Me-109) was the principal German fighter but with a range of 700km it had only 15 minutes' fuel over Kent and was at the limit of its range over London.
The RAF had the better equipped Hurricane and the faster more manoeuvrable Spitfire. Many of the RAF pilots were from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and central European countries overrun by the Germans. The 'Blitz' continued after the Battle of Britain had finished until May 1941.
Read our special Battle of Britain 70th Anniversary issue of Poppy Press and we invite you to make a gift of £19.40 to support the brave veterans of today.
Battle of Britain Day is celebrated on 15 September.
There are a wide range of activities associated with the 70th anniversary.
6 July to 2 Aug
Battle of Britain 70th Anniversary UK Tour - "Their Finest Hour" -
more details
11 July
National Battle of Britain Memorial Tribute,
Capel-le-Ferne, near Folkestone, Kent
www.battleofbritainmemorial.org
17-18 July
Royal International Air Tattoo, RAF Fairford - www.rafcte.com
4 September
RAFA Battle of Britain Classical Music Concert, Chartwell - www.synergyeventsuk.com
7 September
The City of London Salute to WWII Veterans, St Paul's
Cathedral - www.rafa.org.uk/events-national.asp
11 September
RAF Regiment Band Concert, Walsall - more
details
13-15 September
Battle of Britain Tour with Poppy Travel - with
overnight stays in Dunkirk and Londo, this 3 day tour offers real
insight into the Battle of Britiain. Visit www.poppytravel.org.uk for details.
15 September
Unveiling of Air Vice-Marshal Sir Keith Park Memorial, Waterloo
Place, London
www.sirkeithpark.com
11.30am Service at the Battle of Britain National Memorial
at Capel-le-Ferne in Kent.
The Royal British Legion will display balloons
with tribute messages from our supporters at the
Memorial.
19 September
Battle of Britain Sunday Parade and Flypast, open to the
public
19 September
Battle of Britain Service in Westminster Abbey, ticketed
event
