Battle of Britain

Well, Gordon, fess up, he is our official conscious and alert to such. Need to dig up those tortues offered to Keith .

As for the event it is clearly one of the most important of WW2, the first victory , though perhaps not as clear at the time, for the sorely pressed Allies and by Allies , the Commonwealth and some help from the Czechs , Poles and a scattering of others including a few Americans but Britain deserves the credit for this. , IIMHO..

Gaines

 

.. I live close to the Battle of Britain memorial on the cliffs at Capel-Le-Ferne between Folkestone and Dover. We've had Spitfires and other prop aircraft overhead all day... (yesterday was a wash-out). The memorial itself and the wall are covered in wreaths and bouquets..

 

FalkeEins, speaking of being near the battle edge any news on the fate of RAF Manston. You had mentions that estate developers were eyeing it .
Some one, hint, should write a history of that exposed base. Cannot igine what it endured until D-Day.

Glad to hear the battle was well celebrated on the coast of Kent.,

Gaines

 

Sadly, in most places in the UK BoB Day passes with the only reminder being an occasional table in the foyer of a supermarket and a couple of more modern veterans selling RAFA commemorative pins and wings.

 

My Dad, brother, Grandad, Uncle, brother-in-law , several cousins were all RAF & one cousin was RAAF .
I completely forgot about it.
In fact it's a date that has never stuck in my head.

 

q: how close were the germans at winning during phase two of the battle? by p2, i'm assuming it's the part when the luftwaffe brought the battle over to the british fighter airfields.

 

Hello Gaines, yes, indeed. Lead item on the local TV news channel just yesterday - an independent report has concluded that Manston has no future as an airport or aviation hub following its 'closure' some two years ago. Manston's 2752 meter long runway (the longest and widest in the country) is currently standing idle while arguments for an additional runway in the south-east of the UK continue! 'Developers' have 2,500 houses and business outlets planned. However a group of US investors are claiming Manston does have a future as an airfield. Their report is here - so the wrangling is set to continue!

Meanwhile the RAF Manston history Museum - just off the airfield - takes delivery of another 'new' aircraft ...

https://www.facebook.com/manstonhistorymuseum/?fref=ts

to answer your other query, Joe Bamford has written a two-volume history of Manston up to 1945, published in the UK by Pen & Sword

https://www.amazon.com/Detailed-History-RAF-Manston-1931-40/dp/1781550956/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1475663734&sr=8-7&keywords=manston+RAF

https://www.amazon.com/Detailed-History-Manston-1941-1945-Invicta%E2%80%95/dp/1781550964/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1475663852&sr=8-4&keywords=manston+RAF

from the Manston History Museum FB page; a view across the airfield from the museum..the low level shape to the left is the old airport terminal building, where until the closure KLM among others operated scheduled services..the larger building towards the centre of the shot is the old jet engine servicing sheds..note how green the grass is ..not. Don't let anyone tell you the weather in the UK is always poor; it's been hot and dry here all summer

 

Thank you for all the updates. Manston holds a fascination for me because of it's proximity to quick attacks. Must have been a lively place
I wish those two volumes were on Kindle, fat chance !, as I cannot read normal book print sizes.

I live in a humid subtropical climate, lots of heat and humidity but little rain !

Gaines

 

Now that's interesting; regarding Bamford's books, you don't happen to know how he deals with the supposed 1940 "mutiny", do you?

 

don't have the books to hand, but AFAICR he dismisses it as the 'urban myth' the story probably is..

FWIW the 'mutiny' is discussed in some detail here