The Hardest Day

In June 1940 Churchill announced the Battle of France was over and that the Battle of Britain had just begun. 

Between July and September 1940 Germany's airforce tried to destroy the RAF so they could invade. They might have succeeded if they hadn't turned their attention to bombing the civilian population in what is now known as the Blitz.

History shows that on this day 75 years ago the biggest air battle took place over Britain with both sides losing more aircraft and men than any other day. It is because of this it has become known as the Hardest Day.

Two days later Churchill gave the famous speech 'Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few'.

Today I watch, from afar, 18 Spitfires and 8 Hurricanes take off from Biggin Hill and fly sorties across the South East. The roar of the Merlin engines was spine tingling and witnessing the largest group of Spits and Hurricanes flying together since WW2 was amazing.

My main images is of one of the groups turning off to their sortie. I have given it a bit of treatment for effect. looks best in large.

My extra is of 4 of the Hurricanes returning. They are (from left to right):

UP-W in 605 Sqn colours (claimed to be the last Hurricane flying to serve during the BoB)

GZ-L in 32 Sqn colours.

RF-E in 303 (Polish) Sqn colours.

EG-S in 43 Sqn SEAC colours ( Blipped this the other day and was the last Hurricane built)

Lest We Forget.