”The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death” – Watercolour in a Watercolour Moleskine
This quote is from (I Corinthians 15:26) and was used by Richard Hillary in his book “The Last Enemy” which is based on his experience of being an RAF Fighter pilot during The Battle of Britain in 1940. This scene attempts to depict RAF fighter climbing to engage enemy bombers.
It is exactly 70 years since the 3rd, and most crucial stage of the battle took place. These stages were:
Stage 1 10th July – 11th August – The attacks on the channel convoys in an attempt to draw allied fighters into battle
Stage 2 12 August – 23rd August – Early attacks on some coastal airfields
Stage 3 24th August – 6th September – The attacks on British airfields
Stage 4 7th September onwards – The attacks switch to the bombing of cities relieving pressure on the fighter squadrons and allowing them to regroup.
Richard Hillary describes, in absorbing and horrific detail what it meant to be a part of this battle and to be shot down an horrifically injured. The book was written, mainly for propaganda purposes but if you read this you will not fail to be impressed by the courage of all who took part in this pivotal period in history. Winston Churchill said “Never in field of human conflict was so much owed, by so many to so few”. (Speech to parliament – 20th August 1940). I think he had a point there.
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Nick Powell 12:50 pm on August 29, 2010 | #
As you say Bob a great book worth reading as it was written almost immediately after the battle just before Hillary’s return to combat and his subsequent demise!It is also sighted as an anti war book in some reviews.
Went to Kenley a couple of weeks ago hoping to see the Battle of Britain Flight do a display to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the airfields part in the battle, but the weather was not good and it was canceled.
Uncle Bob 3:14 pm on August 29, 2010 | #
Nick. Here is a coincidence. Have just watched a programme about Sir Archibald McIdoe’s guinea Pig Club, formed to save the lives of badly burned airmen. Uncanny!!
Sorry you missed your B of B do. The weather always plays a large part in these events. RAF Leuchars will be “at home” on September 11Th. Might go there myself, this year, just to remember.
Gadgetman 12:49 am on August 30, 2010 | #
I dont think any aircraft will ever carry the same emotion with it that the Spit does. Nice rendition of a icon.
Nick Powell 4:50 am on August 30, 2010 | #
if you go to Leuchers, think of all the young men such as my wifes great uncle who did part of his training there before going abroad.He was part of a Beaufort crew and took part in a few missions and then disappeared without trace at the age of 27[an old man in aircrew terms at the time]leaving a wife and daughter of 2 or 3 Just one of 55,000 with no known grave!
His last mission was to sink one of Rommels last tankers just before El Alemien the group he was part of was successful thus depriving the Africa Corps of vital fuel and thus limiting its capability of resisting the attack effectively.
Uncle Bob 9:45 am on August 31, 2010 | #
I will indeed Nick. You seem to share a love of all things flying. Have you thought about contacting RAF Leuchars to see if there are any remaining records of your wife’s great uncle. I’ve left a couple of messages on Skype, one of which shows why I did this some years ago (the other describes my first flight at the station as an RAF Cadet). These are from my “Autobiography” a family trait which we indulge in.
Nick Powell 1:29 pm on August 31, 2010 | #
I am indeed a bit of an aviation freak .Having done time as an air cadet in 1015 squadron Horsham.[Sussex]
I have spent years researching Penny’s uncle and have found out almost all I can about his last mission and have even met up with a gunner from another plane in the same formation! He was a great guy and very interesting.
So after all this time I am a bit of an “expert” on Beauforts of coastal command. Sorry have not been using skype much lately I will take a look. Hope to be able to do more art from now on I start the new term of life classes this Saturday.