In RAF records, the official date for the start of the Battle of Britain is July 10th 1940, when Luftwaffe raids were carried out on shipping in the Channel. On July 11th 2010, the event was commemorated at the Battle of Britain Memorial at Capel-le-Ferne, near Folkestone.
Several years ago, I rode to the site with a few biker friends. They were along for the party and had little or no knowledge of the memorial or its significance - but, like me, they were deeply impressed by it. On a plinth centred in a representation of a De Havilland two-speed prop sits a young fighter pilot. He is bare-headed, wearing a flying jacket and holding a flying helmet and goggles. He is gazing out to sea, resting but ready to face whatever will come at him from across the Channel. He's slightly larger than life - and so he should be, those pilots were giants in the eyes of us kids who learnt what they'd achieved in those days when Britain was the front line of freedom. Around the base are carved the badges of the Fighter Command squadrons which participated in our defence.
Here's a link to a site with more information and some pics:
http://www.spifirememorial.org.uk/spifire/capel.htmTo 'The Few' - bless 'em all.
SALUTE.
