A flypast of two iconic WWII fighter planes flew over the capital today to mark the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
Two icons of Great Britain - a Spitfire and a Hurricane - flew over another icon of Great Britain - Westminster Abbey, where the Pope visited on Friday - to commemorate one of the most pivotal of British battles.
Before the flypast took place Battle of Britain veterans joined politicians and members of the Royal Family inside the Abbey for a service of Thanksgiving. During the service, an obviously emotional Prince Charles - who served in both the RAF and the Royal Navy in the 1970s and is a ceremonial Air Chief Marshal of the RAF - was seen to wipe away a tear.
Charles's son, Prince William, 28, who has just graduated as a search and rescue co-pilot, attended the mass and so did Charles's wife the Duchess of Cornwall.
Also attending the ceremony was former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
The Battle of Britain pitched the RAF against the Luftwaffe in the skies over London and the south of England.
After defeating and invading France (quite easily), Hitler decided to turn his attention to the British (he would end up making a similar silly mistake later in the War when he decided to take on the Russians). His intention was to gain superiority over the RAF and then, once he's done that, launch Operation Sea Lion, an amphibious and airborne invasion of Great Britain.
But, despite the fact that the Luftwaffe outnumbered the RAF and that the Luftwaffe pilots were vastly more experienced that the very young men piloting the RAF planes, the battle was a resounding victory for the RAF, with 544 RAF aircrew killed compared to 2,698 Luftwaffe aircrew killed. It was the first major defeat of Nazi Germany during WWII and the battle took place when the British Empire was the only power taking on Nazi Germany.
Sir Stephen Dalton, Chief of Air Staff, said winning the Battle of Britain was vital to the overall outcome of the war.
Speaking before the service today he said: 'The importance of today is of course to recognise the veterans who are still here and all those who gave their lives to ensure that the Battle of Britain was won and the freedom of this country was assured.
'Unless we had control of the skies over Britain we could not build up the forces ready to liberate Europe later on.'
The last land battle to be fought in Britain against an invading foreign force was the 1940 Battle of Graveney Marsh.
Spitfire and Hurricane flypast marks 70th anniversary celebrations of the Battle of Britain
By Daily Mail Reporter
19th September 2010
Daily Mail
A fly past by Second World War fighter planes led the 70th anniversary celebrations of the Battle of Britain today.
A Spitfire and a Hurricane flew above Westminster Abbey to commemorate one of the most pivotal battles in recent British military history.
Earlier, veterans from the decisive battle rubbed shoulders with royalty and senior politicians at a thanksgiving service in the Abbey.
A Spitfire and a Hurricane flew above Westminster Abbey today to commemorate the Battle of Britain
The aircraft were pictured zipping past Big Ben as veterans watched from below
The Prince of Wales appeared to wipe away a tear during the service
During the service, an overcome Prince Charles appeared to wipe away a tear.
Prince William, fresh from graduating as a Search and Rescue Force helicopter pilot, attended the mass with his father and the Duchess of Cornwall.
The ceremony celebrates the 70th anniversary of the pivotal Second World War battle in which Britain's pilots defeated the Nazi threat in the skies of southern England.
The Battle of Britain began as Hitler turned his attention across the Channel after defeating the French.
Sir Stephen Dalton, Chief of Air Staff, said winning the Battle of Britain was vital to the overall outcome of the war.
Speaking before the service he said: 'The importance of today is of course to recognise the veterans who are still here and all those who gave their lives to ensure that the Battle of Britain was won and the freedom of this country was assured.
'Unless we had control of the skies over Britain we could not build up the forces ready to liberate Europe later on.
'Of course that is entirely relevant today, without the freedom of the skies in Afghanistan it is well recognised that there would need to be 10 times the number of soldiers and marines on the ground to achieve the same effect.
'It is the aircraft and helicopters that allow our forces and our allies to prosecute the war project against the Taliban as effectively as we can.'
The planes swoop over the Victoria Tower at the Palace of Westminster
Prince Charles and Prince William attended the ceremony, both dressed in their military uniforms
Prime Minister David Cameron and Prince William flank a veteran as they all crane their necks to catch a glimpse of the fly-past
Addressing the congregation which included senior political and military figures and Trainspotting and Star Wars Episode II film star Ewan McGregor, Chaplain in Chief Raymond Pentland said: '70 years ago a generation of young men supported by many, took to the skies and their bravery and sacrifice won our freedom.
'Today we salute the few and give thanks for their bravery, sacrifice and our freedom.'
The Spitfire is tops for glamour and romance but it was the Hurricane that was the real No1 fighter plane in the Battle of Britain.
The RAF's beautiful Spitfire is still viewed today as probably the most glamorous fighter plane of World War II. Even the Germans agreed. Captured Luftwaffe pilots would lie about what had shot them down, always claiming it was a Spitfire who shot them down, even if it wasn't, so the star quality would rub off on them.
During the War, officials who showed journalists technological advances in the war effort took them to factories building the Spitfire, so the public knew much more about the Spitfire than the RAF's other fighter planes.
Thanks to this, a myth of superiority grew up about the Spitfire in playgrounds, workplaces and saloon bars, a myth which still lives to this day.
But the real star of the Battle of Britain was not the Spitfire but the Hurricane. The reason the Hurricane was popular is simple - it was a great killing machine. With four guns grouped together on each wing, the Hurricane made a much more stable gun platform than the Spitfire when shooting at enemy planes. The set-up made it far easier for the pilot to concentrate gunfire.
The top-scoring ace in the Battle of Britain was Czech Josef František, of 303 Squadron, who flew Hurricanes. In September 1940 alone he shot down at least 17 Luftwaffe planes.
Also, the Hurricane had better manoeuvrability than the Spitfire. During the Battle of Britain the Hurricane was given the slightly more powerful Merlin III engine, providing a much better performance in the air.
Crucially, it improved the climb speed. The Hurricane was able to get up and dive down out of the sun, where they couldn't be seen, attack and then have the power to climb up again and do it again. It wasn't as fast in a straight line as the Spitfire but for those dogfights you needed its manoeuvrability. If you were turning in a dogfight with a German fighter over the Channel, you were well off in a Hurricane.
The final proof in the Hurricane's superiority is the Hurricane outscored the Spitfire in Battle of Britain kills. It was 55%to the Hurricane versus 45% to the Spitfire.
Battle of Britain veterans made their way in procession through the centre of the Abbey for the Act of Remembrance which formed the centre point of the service.
Mr McGregor, who has a family member in the RAF, read a prayer which said: 'Let us pray for those members of the Royal Air Force, who through their vigilance and determination make it possible for planes to fly and defend these shores.
Camilla, Duchess of York (left) and former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher also attended the celebrations
Prince William, joined by his father and stepmother, bows his dead during the sombre service
'For all mechanics and ground crew, for radar operators and engineers, members of the logistics corps, that inspired by the example of their forbears, they might continue to fulfil this vital service with skill and pride.'
A large crowd which had assembled outside the Abbey cheered as the historic planes flew overhead.
They were followed by several of the RAF's modern Typhoon fighter jets.
Passengers on the London Eye got a ringside seat for the fly-past
Dignitaries from the Commonwealth laid wreaths at the RAF monument on Victoria Embankment today
dailymail.co.uk
Two icons of Great Britain - a Spitfire and a Hurricane - flew over another icon of Great Britain - Westminster Abbey, where the Pope visited on Friday - to commemorate one of the most pivotal of British battles.
Before the flypast took place Battle of Britain veterans joined politicians and members of the Royal Family inside the Abbey for a service of Thanksgiving. During the service, an obviously emotional Prince Charles - who served in both the RAF and the Royal Navy in the 1970s and is a ceremonial Air Chief Marshal of the RAF - was seen to wipe away a tear.
Charles's son, Prince William, 28, who has just graduated as a search and rescue co-pilot, attended the mass and so did Charles's wife the Duchess of Cornwall.
Also attending the ceremony was former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
The Battle of Britain pitched the RAF against the Luftwaffe in the skies over London and the south of England.
After defeating and invading France (quite easily), Hitler decided to turn his attention to the British (he would end up making a similar silly mistake later in the War when he decided to take on the Russians). His intention was to gain superiority over the RAF and then, once he's done that, launch Operation Sea Lion, an amphibious and airborne invasion of Great Britain.
But, despite the fact that the Luftwaffe outnumbered the RAF and that the Luftwaffe pilots were vastly more experienced that the very young men piloting the RAF planes, the battle was a resounding victory for the RAF, with 544 RAF aircrew killed compared to 2,698 Luftwaffe aircrew killed. It was the first major defeat of Nazi Germany during WWII and the battle took place when the British Empire was the only power taking on Nazi Germany.
Sir Stephen Dalton, Chief of Air Staff, said winning the Battle of Britain was vital to the overall outcome of the war.
Speaking before the service today he said: 'The importance of today is of course to recognise the veterans who are still here and all those who gave their lives to ensure that the Battle of Britain was won and the freedom of this country was assured.
'Unless we had control of the skies over Britain we could not build up the forces ready to liberate Europe later on.'
The last land battle to be fought in Britain against an invading foreign force was the 1940 Battle of Graveney Marsh.
Spitfire and Hurricane flypast marks 70th anniversary celebrations of the Battle of Britain
By Daily Mail Reporter
19th September 2010
Daily Mail
A fly past by Second World War fighter planes led the 70th anniversary celebrations of the Battle of Britain today.
A Spitfire and a Hurricane flew above Westminster Abbey to commemorate one of the most pivotal battles in recent British military history.
Earlier, veterans from the decisive battle rubbed shoulders with royalty and senior politicians at a thanksgiving service in the Abbey.
A Spitfire and a Hurricane flew above Westminster Abbey today to commemorate the Battle of Britain
The aircraft were pictured zipping past Big Ben as veterans watched from below
The Prince of Wales appeared to wipe away a tear during the service
During the service, an overcome Prince Charles appeared to wipe away a tear.
Prince William, fresh from graduating as a Search and Rescue Force helicopter pilot, attended the mass with his father and the Duchess of Cornwall.
The ceremony celebrates the 70th anniversary of the pivotal Second World War battle in which Britain's pilots defeated the Nazi threat in the skies of southern England.
The Battle of Britain began as Hitler turned his attention across the Channel after defeating the French.
Sir Stephen Dalton, Chief of Air Staff, said winning the Battle of Britain was vital to the overall outcome of the war.
Speaking before the service he said: 'The importance of today is of course to recognise the veterans who are still here and all those who gave their lives to ensure that the Battle of Britain was won and the freedom of this country was assured.
'Unless we had control of the skies over Britain we could not build up the forces ready to liberate Europe later on.
'Of course that is entirely relevant today, without the freedom of the skies in Afghanistan it is well recognised that there would need to be 10 times the number of soldiers and marines on the ground to achieve the same effect.
'It is the aircraft and helicopters that allow our forces and our allies to prosecute the war project against the Taliban as effectively as we can.'
The planes swoop over the Victoria Tower at the Palace of Westminster
Prince Charles and Prince William attended the ceremony, both dressed in their military uniforms
Prime Minister David Cameron and Prince William flank a veteran as they all crane their necks to catch a glimpse of the fly-past
Addressing the congregation which included senior political and military figures and Trainspotting and Star Wars Episode II film star Ewan McGregor, Chaplain in Chief Raymond Pentland said: '70 years ago a generation of young men supported by many, took to the skies and their bravery and sacrifice won our freedom.
'Today we salute the few and give thanks for their bravery, sacrifice and our freedom.'
The Spitfire is tops for glamour and romance but it was the Hurricane that was the real No1 fighter plane in the Battle of Britain.
The RAF's beautiful Spitfire is still viewed today as probably the most glamorous fighter plane of World War II. Even the Germans agreed. Captured Luftwaffe pilots would lie about what had shot them down, always claiming it was a Spitfire who shot them down, even if it wasn't, so the star quality would rub off on them.
During the War, officials who showed journalists technological advances in the war effort took them to factories building the Spitfire, so the public knew much more about the Spitfire than the RAF's other fighter planes.
Thanks to this, a myth of superiority grew up about the Spitfire in playgrounds, workplaces and saloon bars, a myth which still lives to this day.
But the real star of the Battle of Britain was not the Spitfire but the Hurricane. The reason the Hurricane was popular is simple - it was a great killing machine. With four guns grouped together on each wing, the Hurricane made a much more stable gun platform than the Spitfire when shooting at enemy planes. The set-up made it far easier for the pilot to concentrate gunfire.
The top-scoring ace in the Battle of Britain was Czech Josef František, of 303 Squadron, who flew Hurricanes. In September 1940 alone he shot down at least 17 Luftwaffe planes.
Also, the Hurricane had better manoeuvrability than the Spitfire. During the Battle of Britain the Hurricane was given the slightly more powerful Merlin III engine, providing a much better performance in the air.
Crucially, it improved the climb speed. The Hurricane was able to get up and dive down out of the sun, where they couldn't be seen, attack and then have the power to climb up again and do it again. It wasn't as fast in a straight line as the Spitfire but for those dogfights you needed its manoeuvrability. If you were turning in a dogfight with a German fighter over the Channel, you were well off in a Hurricane.
The final proof in the Hurricane's superiority is the Hurricane outscored the Spitfire in Battle of Britain kills. It was 55%to the Hurricane versus 45% to the Spitfire.
Battle of Britain veterans made their way in procession through the centre of the Abbey for the Act of Remembrance which formed the centre point of the service.
Mr McGregor, who has a family member in the RAF, read a prayer which said: 'Let us pray for those members of the Royal Air Force, who through their vigilance and determination make it possible for planes to fly and defend these shores.
Camilla, Duchess of York (left) and former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher also attended the celebrations
Prince William, joined by his father and stepmother, bows his dead during the sombre service
'For all mechanics and ground crew, for radar operators and engineers, members of the logistics corps, that inspired by the example of their forbears, they might continue to fulfil this vital service with skill and pride.'
A large crowd which had assembled outside the Abbey cheered as the historic planes flew overhead.
They were followed by several of the RAF's modern Typhoon fighter jets.
Passengers on the London Eye got a ringside seat for the fly-past
Dignitaries from the Commonwealth laid wreaths at the RAF monument on Victoria Embankment today
dailymail.co.uk
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