“NEVER IN THE FIELD OF HUMAN CONFLICT WAS SO MUCH OWED BY SO MANY TO SO FEW.”
(Winston Churchill)
In the summer of 1940, 2,938 aircrew took part in an historical battle against the Luftwaffe that was to become the only battle to be fought entirely in the air, this battle has become known as the ‘Battle of Britain’ , the pilots and aircrew known as ‘the Few’. Historians state the Battle of Britain is considered to be as important in Military History as the battles of Waterloo and Trafalgar.
These brave pilots came from all walks of life their average age being 20 years old, they came from many countries to join the fight. Many were trained and experienced pilots but most had come from ordinary civilian life to become fighter pilots with RAF Fighter Command. During the Battle which lasted almost four months 544 of them would lose their lives, many were killed in action, aircraft accidents, while others were never to be heard of again, these were officially listed as missing in action. A further 795 were to die before the end of the war, and all were awarded the rare and special Battle of Britain Clasp to their 1939-1945 medal. The Battle of Britain was a prelude to the German invasion of Great Britain, which after just four months had to be abandoned because of the dedication, courage and tenacity of those known as ‘the Few’, not forgetting the ground crews without them the victory would not have been possible and the Men and Women pilots of the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA). All fought the formidable and experienced foe against all odds their ultimate goal was to be successful and win the battle at all costs.
