Battle of Britain anniversary: Cockpit view of flypast

“Today marks the 75th anniversary of the start of the Battle of Britain when The Few bravely fought in the skies above Britain to defend our shores from Nazi invasion”.

Four Spitfires & Two Hurricane WWII fighters took part in a flypast over Buckingham Palace observed by the royal family, before returning over north London towards North Weald.

The vintage planes were all from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight which is based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire.

During the summer and autumn of 1940 the Royal Air Force and Germany’s Luftwaffe vied for dominance of the skies over Britain, as Hitler amassed troops on the other side of the Channel in preparation for an amphibious invasion of the UK. Six of those men will have lunch with the Queen at the RAF Club in Piccadilly today.

‘Events like these don’t often happen, but today gave us – the RAF and the nation – the opportunity to commemorate and recognise those extraordinary feats 75 years ago. As the first defeat of Hitler’s military forces in the war, it was an important factor in boosting the morale of the British public and the military themselves.

Friday’s date, 10 July, is significant as it is widely acknowledged to be the start of the battle, when the Luftwaffe launched a series of attacks on shipping convoys off the south-east coast of England in 1940.

“Knowing six Battle of Britain veteran pilots were watching us flying the same aircraft that they used was humbling“.

“The airborne Battle of Britain was one of the decisive battles of World War II in which Poles made significant contribution to the victory”, the draft resolution reads.

They have since been immortalised as The Few following a famous speech by prime minister Winston Churchill, who paid tribute to them saying: “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few”.

14 enemy aircraft were shot down by the RAF on that day and 23 were severely damaged. It was mad. But at the age of 19, flying Spitfires in combat, you don’t think about what might happen to you.

The RAF will perform an enhanced Changing of the Guard and a flypast in front of The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Duke of Cambridge and other members of the Royal Family.

The Squadron has a dual role carrying out both ceremonial duties and operational commitments as 63 Squadron RAF Regiment.

It is a particularly pertinent statistic in Kent as the county was on the frontline of attack from the German air force.

After the last plane had flown over the Palace, The Queen’s Colour Squadron performed the rare Feu de Joie, or “Fire of Joy” – a cascade of rifle fire given as a salute.

Mr Wellum, who is vice-chairman of the Battle of Britain Association, stressed they were supported by the ground crews and civilians who endured the bombing.

The national anthem was played and Warrant Officer Clive Martland led the Three Cheers for The Queen.