(Above) © IWM / Ted Dearberg
It was one of the most important victories of the Second World War and a defining moment in Britain’s struggle to stand firm against the forces of Hitler’s war machine.
Not only did the Battle of Britain scupper Nazi plans for a British invasion, many consider the RAF’s rout of the Luftwaffe over the skies of Southern England during the summer of 1940 to be the first significant defeat of the German armies and a major turning point of the war.
But whatever the significance of the RAF’s victory against overwhelming odds, the Battle of Britain and the heroic exploits of ‘the few’ are now implanted firmly into the nation’s consciousness. In summer 2010 people will have the chance to mark its 70th anniversary.
Flight and maintenance crew of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight © IWM / Andy Anderson
At the forefront of the commemoration will be Europe’s best-preserved Second World War airfield, Imperial War Museum Duxford, which was a key RAF base in the Battle.
Lined up is a series of events, flying extravaganzas and exhibitions that will remember the sacrifices made during the summer of 1940. They begin in mid-April with a new photographic exhibition portraying life at Duxford during the Battle of Britain period.
Duxford and the Battle of Britain features evocative photographs from the era that portray the men and women who served at the base, offering a unique insight into life at a fighter station during the height of the Battle.
Veterans will be present at many of IWM Duxford's Battle of Britain events © IWM / Andy Anderson
Visitors will be brought face-to-face with some of the heroic characters who flew from Duxford – home to Douglas Bader amongst others – who helped win the battle in the skies.
On Saturday May 15 the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will launch its 2010 season with a static display of aircraft and a chance to meet RAF personnel past and present including Battle of Britain veterans and current members of the RAF.
The following day (Sunday May 16) will see the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight take to the skies as the centrepiece of Duxford’s Spring Air Show, which will include a range of aircraft from the RAF including present day fighter-bombers.
Re-enactor Stephen Wisdom, as a Lancaster Tail Gunner showing one young visitor the equipment used. Photo © Andy Anderson / IWM
Static displays will feature contemporary RAF personnel alongside the ghostly figures of Battle of Britain re-enactors who will help bring Duxford’s wartime atmosphere vividly to life.
On Saturday and Sunday September 4 and 5 Duxford will be the setting for a spectacular air show featuring squadrons of Battle of Britain aircraft from across the world.The Battle of Britain Airshow will have a particular focus on the pilots stationed at RAF Duxford who came from across the globe to fight for world freedom.
To round off the summer’s events, Duxford will be hosting a special interest day called Duxford, Spitfires and the Battle of Britain which will explore in greater depth the momentous events of Britain’s ultimate air campaign and consider RAF Duxford’s role within the Battle.
Keep up to speed with the latest news about the Battle of Britain 70th anniversary at www.culture24.org.uk/battle-of-britain.
