BATTLE OF BRITAIN (1940) - Respecting THE FEW.

[Spitfire]

Smithy, I am not certain, but I have a notion that Dickie did his stunt in a George Formby movie from late 30s. It's in the Air - maybe.
I do remember I read it somewhere.
And then again - maybe I am all wrong...

 

[Spitfire]

Regarding Dickie Lee - I just saw this rather interesting blog (Nothing about flying through hangars though):
http://intotheswarm.blogspot.com/

 

[Warden]

George Formby movie from late 30s. It's in the Air

I know it is 'off topic' but I loved the film 'It's in the air'

Sorry, you can get to your thread now

 

[Fly Boy]

Fantastic news...

...a brand new movie about the Battle is currently beginning development!

http://whatculture.com/film/robert-towne-to-re-tell-the-battle-of-britain.php

I'm rather excited by this, although just so long as they don't make a balls up of it.

Thanks Smithy, that's certainly something to look forward to - and it will probably get made before PJ's 'Dambusters' remake!

 

[Story]

An excavation at the site of a 1941 Spitfire crash in a bog in the Irish Republic uncovered huge, remarkably preserved chunks of plane and six Browning machine guns. After 70 years buried in peat could they be made to fire? They certainly could, writes Dan Snow.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-15652440

 

[B-24J]

Just found this amazing BBC feature on BoB - it's 9 pieces - 90 minutes but worth every second:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6t3gjpuwriA&feature=related

Featuring Ewan McGregor and his brother Colin (who is a RAF pilot and gets to fly a Spitfire), veteran pilots like Wellum, Tom Neil among others. The tactics explaine by several wellknow writes on books on the subject.
Enjoy!

I bought the McGregor "Battle of Britain" DVD. I enjoyed it quite a bit. Although saying that Douglas Bader led 12 Group was not very fair to Leigh-Mallory who commanded 12 Group.

John

 

[B-24J]

Another of the Few has Died

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2221792/Oldest-surviving-pilot-fight-Battle-Britain-Spitfire-shot-dies-aged-99.html

 

[B-24J]

Battle of Britain Veteran's Jacket Under The Hammer For Wing Appeal

I saw this on Youtube...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J58p9Im9xJQ

An expensive Irvin for a worthy cause!

John

 

[Story]

In Britain's hour of need, he shot down 21 Nazi planes. Now, in HIS hour of need, World War II hero has to sell his medals to pay for care

Wing Commander Bransome 'Branse' Burbridge, who was RAF's most prolific night-fighter pilot, now aged 93 with Alzheimer's
Conscientious objector at start of war would later become a clergyman
Downed four German planes in single sortie, and three of Hitler's V1 rockets
DSO with bar and DFC with bar to be sold along with logbooks, flying jacket and wartime sketchbook of drawings of enemy planes
His family 'reluctantly' selling medals to raise £120,000 which will cover cost of care for six years if necessary

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...s-pay-heros-care-home-fees.html#ixzz2MnqzgmYn

 

[Story]

Last surviving Second World War Dornier bomber is to be raised from its watery grave after 70 years in biggest recovery of its kind

German bomber has lain in English Channel since the Battle of Britain
£350,000 project to retrieve the plane and display it at the RAF Museum


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ears-biggest-recovery-kind.html#ixzz2SKDIeGog

 

[MarkJohn]

Another of 'The Few' passes

Today (27-5-13) I received the sad news that my uncle, one of the 'last few', Percival Graham Leggett (my mothers brother) has died at the age of 92... He had been ill and very frail for many years, but still managed to attend recent commemorations, despite being wheelchair bound.

I have incredibly fond memories of him, he was such a bright spark, and a true gentleman... I count myself lucky to have had such an amazing, inspirational uncle, and I shall miss him greatly.

He appears in the book 'The Last Few: Portraits of Aircrew from the Battle of Britain'

And here is his Wikipedia page.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_Leggett

 

[Story]

Last surviving Second World War Dornier bomber is to be raised from its watery grave after 70 years in biggest recovery of its kind

German bomber has lain in English Channel since the Battle of Britain
£350,000 project to retrieve the plane and display it at the RAF Museum


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ears-biggest-recovery-kind.html#ixzz2SKDIeGog

10 June 2013 Last updated at 15:59 ET
In pictures: German Dornier bomber raised from English Channel
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22848638

 

[liten]

anyone no the lastest on the buried spitfires, that were found , still in there packing crates and unassembled

 

[Stearmen]

anyone no the lastest on the buried spitfires, that were found , still in there packing crates and unassembled

Yes, no such thing! Myth busted!

 

[alsendk]

Always sad to see the old chaps go. We have so much to thank them for, but happily these old boys know

 

[Story]

The search for a U-Boat veteran's medals.
http://www.thisisexeter.co.uk/help-...tory-19534403-detail/story.html#axzz2ZgurTRKU

 

[Story]

The Ministry of Defence has put Brompton Road, a disused Underground station which housed the command bunker for London’s anti-aircraft defences during the Blitz, up for sale.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/...n-turned-WWII-command-bunker-up-for-sale.html

Also, part of the backstory to this battle -
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...-too-cool...&p=1668001&viewfull=1#post1668001

 

[Story]

A month later, restoration is underway
http://bfbs.com/news/work-underway-preserve-ww2-dornier-64308.html

 

[Story]

A GROUP of diving enthusiasts claim they have found a part from one of Britain’s rarest wartime plane wrecks just 200 yards off Hastings Pier.

The Hastings Sub Aqua Club members were looking for the wreckage last Saturday when one diver stumbled across a Rolls Royce engine nut.

Steve Hazel was about 10 metres down on the surface when he spotted the half-inch wide piece of metal lying on the floorbed.

He scooped it up and handed it to the club’s equipment officer Stuart Farquhar.

Stuart is convinced it belonged to an RAF Armstrong Whitley bomber which ditched in the sea on June 19, 1940 while returning to its base in Driffield, North Yorkshire.

http://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/n...rt-of-ww2-bomber-200-yards-off-pier-1-5386400

 

[Smithy]

I feel compelled to post this here.

On the 25th June this year Percival Beake died, one of The Few at the age of 99. I never met Percy but corresponded with him as one of my family flew with him during the Battle of Britain with 64 Sqn. He was such an absolute gentleman, a joy to correspond with and so terribly helpful with me, sending photos and writing to me.

One of The Few and someone of whom I am extremely grateful to have known, albeit via letters.

Just wanted to add this here to the forum's Battle of Britain thread in thanks to this wonderful man.