Battle of Britain
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What is the Battle of Britain?
The Battle of Britain was the aerial conflict between the British and German air forces in the skies over the United Kingdom in 1940. It was one of the most important moments in Britain's history and a decisive turning point of the Second World War.
After the British Army's miraculous evacuation from Dunkirk, Britain stoood alone. In his speech to the nation on the 18 June 1940, Winson Churchill said:-
"...The Battle of France is over - I expect that the Battle of Britain is about to begin. The whole fury and might of the enemy must very soon be upon us...Let us therefore, brace ourserves, that, if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will say 'This was their finest hour'."
If Germany planned to invade and occupy Great Britain, it was necessary for the Luftwaffe to destroy the Royal Air Force. The battle for the control of the skies took place between June and September 1940 during which time the RAF defended the nation.
Whilst Fighter Command was defending the British shores, Bomber Commande was attaching the channel ports where the German fleet was assembleing. Bombers also targeted French, Belgian, Dutch and Danish airfields, from where the enemy bombers were flying and on their lines of communication. It was during this period on 20 August when Winston Churchill uttered his immortal words:-
How Does the RAF Association (RAFA) Commemorate and Support The Battle of Britain?
The Wings Appeal commemorated the momentous victory achieved by the Royal Air Force against the might of the Luftwaffe at the beginning of World War Two.
The Wings Appeal has been raising money since the end of the Second World War and continues today in order to provide care, support and comradeship to those who needed it then and those who need it now.
Please click here to visit our dedicated Wings Appeal page and find out how you can help and raise money for the appeal.
What is The Battle of Britain Day and When is it?
September 15th is Battle of Britain Day and it is commemorated every year on this date.
The decisive day of the Battle of Britain was 15th September 1940. The Germans undertook another massive assult during the Second World War which, they considered, would finally shatter British resistance and open the path for a sucessful invasion of Britain.
Hitler’s decision to stop attacking the RAF gave it time to recover. On 15th September, the Luftwaffe came by day in huge numbers. It expected to sweep the RAF from the skies. But the RAF fought them off. At one point every British plane was in the sky – soon, some would have to come in to refuel and there were no reserves to protect them. But the Luftwaffe, too, was at the limit and – just in time – it turned back.
15th September is commemorated as Battle of Britain day. Events taking place to mark this occassion will be available in due course.
Sunday 21st September will mark Battle of Britain Sunday for 2008.
Please also refer to the Area Newsletter pages for events in your region.
Please click on the icon below to download Battle of Britain Wings Appeal leaflet.
Note: This is a PDF file for which you will need Adobe Reader.
Annual Conference Weekend, May 16th – 18th & RAFALO Seminar Details
The Annual Conference for 2008 is to take place on the weekend of Friday 16th to Sunday 18th May 2008 in Blackpool at the Winter Gardens
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