So, How did you spend your Battle of Britain day?
Thread Starter
So, How did you spend your Battle of Britain day?
I spent most of today reading AVM J.E. 'Johnnie' Johnson's book 'Full Circle'. A fantastic read.The weather has been kind, and I'm now sitting here with a glass of a nice red wine, listening to the radio, and hearing 'Rule Britannia' sung by Della Jones.
Fantastic! What more could you ask?
God Bless The R.A.F.
Mike.
Fantastic! What more could you ask?
God Bless The R.A.F.
Mike.
I looked at some of my 1940s RAF/RAAF things and wondered if anyone else remembered.......
(clock and ASI both dated 1940)
cheers,
-John
(clock and ASI both dated 1940)
cheers,
-John
Last edited by D John; 15th Sep 2012 at 21:24.
I watched the Spitfire and the Hurricane doing a great display at Leuchars 
The commentator on the PA mentioned that one of the spectators at the show was born on 15 Sept 1940 - very appropriate..........
The commentator on the PA mentioned that one of the spectators at the show was born on 15 Sept 1940 - very appropriate..........
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I spent mine waiting to land at Camp Bastion as it was under attack.
The Battle of Britain is an incredibly important occasion but lets not forget we are a Force fully engaged on operations and have been for the longest sustained period in our proud history.
Per ardua ad astra
The Battle of Britain is an incredibly important occasion but lets not forget we are a Force fully engaged on operations and have been for the longest sustained period in our proud history.
Per ardua ad astra
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Watched a few videos on Youtube of the BoB pilots.
TAC Queen
You stay safe as well.
I thought you post appropriate, you were currently flying, trying to land
at an airfield under attack on BoB day. Probably reminiscent of what
occurred all those years ago.
TAC Queen
You stay safe as well.
I thought you post appropriate, you were currently flying, trying to land
at an airfield under attack on BoB day. Probably reminiscent of what
occurred all those years ago.
Last edited by 500N; 15th Sep 2012 at 21:55.
Cunning Artificer
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The 15th of September
Can anybody else think of anything significant about today? Apart from the exposure of a Royal Duchess's nipples to public gaze, that is. . .
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Among 40,000 people (including Ant T, apparently) on a beautifully sunny, if windy (have you ever seen an SE5a hover?), day at the Leuchars Airshow, at what I think is the last surviving Battle of Britain At Home Airshow still in being. Though not for much longer, if at all: at the media day yesterday the inevitable question was asked about the prospects for an airshow at Leuchars next year. The answer was that planning was under way, but no decision had yet been taken to actually hold an airshow at Leuchars in 2013. Roughly the same answer was given to roughly the same question about 2012 at last year's airshow, but if I were the betting type, I'd not be betting against today's even being the last.
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Quiet day reminiscing and thinking how proud I felt to have my folks witness me receiving my Commission 45 years ago today at South Cerney! Quirky that I've been meeting up with chums from the past these past 8 days or so.
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Yes, joined up on this day in `59....
and spent this afternoon stuntin` and buntin`......
and spent this afternoon stuntin` and buntin`......
Last edited by sycamore; 15th Sep 2012 at 22:48.
Spent the day thinking about how it might be remembered in future. We've been having a discussion about Dowding here:
http://www.pprune.org/military-aircr...niversary.html
and how he and Park should be celebrated as the architect and executor of the RAF's side of the Battle of Britain. Yes, I know that other commanders were involved, but it was upon those two key men that success depended. I feel that we should celebrate them more, and by we I mean the nation, as well as the RAF.
The inscription of Dowding's statue (at St Clement Danes) says it all:
"Air Chief Marshal Lord Dowding was commander-in-chief of Fighter Command, Royal Air Force, from its formation in 1936 until November 1940. He was thus responsible for the preparation for and the conduct of the Battle of Britain. With remarkable foresight, he ensured the equipment of his command with monoplane fighters, the Hurricane and the Spitfire. He was among the first to appreciate the vital importance of R.D.F. (radar) and an effective command and control system for his squadrons. They were ready when war came. In the preliminary stages of that war, he thoroughly trained his minimal forces and conserved them against strong political pressure to disperse and misuse them. His wise and prudent judgement and leadership helped to ensure victory against overwhelming odds and thus prevented the loss of the Battle of Britain and probably the whole war. To him, the people of Britain and of the Free World owe largely the way of life and the liberties they enjoy today."
He planned the battle years in advance, and to a great extent it was Park who saw it carried out accordingly. Between them they ensured our deliverance from the threat of enslavement that the countries of Europe were now under. I still think that it would be very appropriate if they shared the empty fourth (equestrian) plinth in Trafalgar Square which already celebrates an earlier deliverance from subjugation. Others may of course differ...
http://www.pprune.org/military-aircr...niversary.html
and how he and Park should be celebrated as the architect and executor of the RAF's side of the Battle of Britain. Yes, I know that other commanders were involved, but it was upon those two key men that success depended. I feel that we should celebrate them more, and by we I mean the nation, as well as the RAF.
The inscription of Dowding's statue (at St Clement Danes) says it all:
"Air Chief Marshal Lord Dowding was commander-in-chief of Fighter Command, Royal Air Force, from its formation in 1936 until November 1940. He was thus responsible for the preparation for and the conduct of the Battle of Britain. With remarkable foresight, he ensured the equipment of his command with monoplane fighters, the Hurricane and the Spitfire. He was among the first to appreciate the vital importance of R.D.F. (radar) and an effective command and control system for his squadrons. They were ready when war came. In the preliminary stages of that war, he thoroughly trained his minimal forces and conserved them against strong political pressure to disperse and misuse them. His wise and prudent judgement and leadership helped to ensure victory against overwhelming odds and thus prevented the loss of the Battle of Britain and probably the whole war. To him, the people of Britain and of the Free World owe largely the way of life and the liberties they enjoy today."
He planned the battle years in advance, and to a great extent it was Park who saw it carried out accordingly. Between them they ensured our deliverance from the threat of enslavement that the countries of Europe were now under. I still think that it would be very appropriate if they shared the empty fourth (equestrian) plinth in Trafalgar Square which already celebrates an earlier deliverance from subjugation. Others may of course differ...
Thread Starter
TAC Queen
Sir, you have my deepest respects, and I'm glad you got there ok. I wish you all including my other mates out there the best, and a safe return.
Mike.
Mike.
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Battle of Britain 72nd anniversary - the turning point of WW2. Not that many know or care about it any more - because most peoples attention is turned to the insulting of some minor prophet - which obviously warrants WW3 against the West, by the perpetually angry and insulted. 
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Sorry, I didn't see the BoB thread until after I'd posted here.
Blacksheep - are you referring to the 1st anniversary of the "Occupy Wall St" movement?
Blacksheep - are you referring to the 1st anniversary of the "Occupy Wall St" movement?
Last edited by onetrack; 16th Sep 2012 at 01:59.