From the October 23, 2012, BBC News London.
** By the summer of 1940, the German war machine had conquered much of Europe and had Britain in its sights.
** On 18 June 1940, Churchill gave a speech announcing "...the Battle of France is over. The Battle of Britain is about to begin."
** Despite being outnumbered by the Luftwaffe, the RAF showed resilience and determination when the attacks began in Mid-July.
** By October 1940, Hitler abandoned his plans for the invasion of Britain.
** An estimated 1,023 RAF and 1,887 Luftwaffe aircraft were lost between 10 July and the end of October 1940.
--GreGen
Showing posts with label Battle of Britain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Battle of Britain. Show all posts
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Monday, May 9, 2011
Hull Was Second Heaviest Bombed English City
From the May 2nd BBC.
Hull ranks as the second-most bombed English city, after London. Nearly 90% of its buildings were damaged. Survivor Denis Grout recalls seeing Hull ablaze from one end to the other after one attack.
Between May 7th and May 9th, German raids killed 420.
The city was targeted because of its large industrial area and port.
More than 86,000 homes were damaged and 152,000 were left homeless during the 82 raids during the Battle of Britain. There were a total of 1,200 deaths as well.
Today, the city is looking to turn a building that survived into a memorial for those who died.
You Always Hear About London. --Cooter
Hull ranks as the second-most bombed English city, after London. Nearly 90% of its buildings were damaged. Survivor Denis Grout recalls seeing Hull ablaze from one end to the other after one attack.
Between May 7th and May 9th, German raids killed 420.
The city was targeted because of its large industrial area and port.
More than 86,000 homes were damaged and 152,000 were left homeless during the 82 raids during the Battle of Britain. There were a total of 1,200 deaths as well.
Today, the city is looking to turn a building that survived into a memorial for those who died.
You Always Hear About London. --Cooter
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Battle of Britain Underground Station to Reopen
From September 23rd AP.
In honor of the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, the long-closed Aldwych Station near Central London's Covent Garden, a refuge for thousands between September 1940 and May 1941, was reopened last weekend. It was one of the first undergrounds used as a shelter.
It has been closed for 16 years. Visitors to it will be guided by staff in period costume including one dressed as and playing the role of an air-raid warden. An original 1943 train will be parked in the station and a period bus will be parked outside the station.
Survivors of the battle were invited for a preview on the 23rd and were urged to record their memories.
Margret Clark, 78, remembers, "At first we went down for an hour or two, then we'd go home after getting the all-clear. After that it started lasting all night-- we weren't exactly sleeping, we had no bedding, we just sat, sat on the floor, sat on the benches.... My mother had a corner of the bottom of one escalator and my auntie the corner of another."
All the while, these poor people had to listen to the bombs falling and wonder whether they'd have anything left at home after it was over.
A Very hard Life Back then. --Cooter
In honor of the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, the long-closed Aldwych Station near Central London's Covent Garden, a refuge for thousands between September 1940 and May 1941, was reopened last weekend. It was one of the first undergrounds used as a shelter.
It has been closed for 16 years. Visitors to it will be guided by staff in period costume including one dressed as and playing the role of an air-raid warden. An original 1943 train will be parked in the station and a period bus will be parked outside the station.
Survivors of the battle were invited for a preview on the 23rd and were urged to record their memories.
Margret Clark, 78, remembers, "At first we went down for an hour or two, then we'd go home after getting the all-clear. After that it started lasting all night-- we weren't exactly sleeping, we had no bedding, we just sat, sat on the floor, sat on the benches.... My mother had a corner of the bottom of one escalator and my auntie the corner of another."
All the while, these poor people had to listen to the bombs falling and wonder whether they'd have anything left at home after it was over.
A Very hard Life Back then. --Cooter
Monday, September 20, 2010
Battle of Britain Service
A service was held at Westminster Abbey in London to commemorate the sacrifices and heroism of "The Few." That would be the RAF pilots and crews who battled the German Luftwaffe from July to October 1940 in what is known as the Battle of Britain.
Prince Charles and Prince Williams led the tribute.
The Roll of Honor was read which consists of 2,936 crew names who fought. It is thought that there are only 25 survivors of these brave souls, all in their late 80s and 90s.
From Sept. 20th Telegraph.co.uk
The Passing of the Greatest Generation. --Cooter
Prince Charles and Prince Williams led the tribute.
The Roll of Honor was read which consists of 2,936 crew names who fought. It is thought that there are only 25 survivors of these brave souls, all in their late 80s and 90s.
From Sept. 20th Telegraph.co.uk
The Passing of the Greatest Generation. --Cooter
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Battle of Britain Day-- September 15th
As mentioned in the earlier posting, yesterday, September 15th marked the 70th anniversary of what is considered to be the turning point of the Battle of Britain pitting the German Luftwaffe against the British RAF, ground crews and anti-aircraft batteries for control of British airspace.
This information according to the BBC Home page On This Day.
On September 15, 1940, the RAF (Royal Air Force) Fighter Command claimed victory over the Luftwaffe after that organization sustained huge losses during attacks on Britain that day.
A total of 176 enemy aircraft were destroyed by RAF fighters and at least 9 others were shot by anti-aircraft fire.
British losses amounted to 25 aircraft and 12 pilots killed or missing.
Two major attacks by 250 Luftwaffe were launched against London along with several others on the south coast of Britain around Southampton and Portsmouth.
Buckingham Place was hit three times in the first attack in London. Two bombs failed to explode and a third cause damage to the Queen's private quarters, but both King and Queen were not in residence at the time.
A Major Turning Point of the War. --DaCoot
This information according to the BBC Home page On This Day.
On September 15, 1940, the RAF (Royal Air Force) Fighter Command claimed victory over the Luftwaffe after that organization sustained huge losses during attacks on Britain that day.
A total of 176 enemy aircraft were destroyed by RAF fighters and at least 9 others were shot by anti-aircraft fire.
British losses amounted to 25 aircraft and 12 pilots killed or missing.
Two major attacks by 250 Luftwaffe were launched against London along with several others on the south coast of Britain around Southampton and Portsmouth.
Buckingham Place was hit three times in the first attack in London. Two bombs failed to explode and a third cause damage to the Queen's private quarters, but both King and Queen were not in residence at the time.
A Major Turning Point of the War. --DaCoot
Recognizing German Pilots on Battle of Britain Day
September 15th is observed as Battle of Britain Day in the United Kingdom. This date is usually considered to be the turning point of the battle.
From September 15th Telegraph "Battle of Britain Day" a time to remember all who lost their lives in the confict" by Nicholas Milton.
The surviving pilots and airmen on both sides are rapidly dwindling. Current RAF Squadron Leader Ian Smith, referring to the RAF's counterparts, said, "Make no mistake the regime was truly appalling but seventy years on surely it's time to distinguish between Nazism and the bravery of the German pilots."
He continued, "Like all military personnel they were just following orders and like a lot of our boys they made the ultimate sacrifice."
Germany rarely honors its Luftwaffe because of its connection to Nazi Germany. They have no day to celebrate their bravery.
"Never Has So much..." --Cooter
From September 15th Telegraph "Battle of Britain Day" a time to remember all who lost their lives in the confict" by Nicholas Milton.
The surviving pilots and airmen on both sides are rapidly dwindling. Current RAF Squadron Leader Ian Smith, referring to the RAF's counterparts, said, "Make no mistake the regime was truly appalling but seventy years on surely it's time to distinguish between Nazism and the bravery of the German pilots."
He continued, "Like all military personnel they were just following orders and like a lot of our boys they made the ultimate sacrifice."
Germany rarely honors its Luftwaffe because of its connection to Nazi Germany. They have no day to celebrate their bravery.
"Never Has So much..." --Cooter
Monday, August 23, 2010
"...So Much Owed By So Many to So Few."
August 21st ABC News.
August 20, 1940, marked the 70th anniversary of one of Winston Churchill's most famous speeched thanking the RAF fighter pilots for their gallant service defending the homeland during the Battle of Britain.
Several former RAF World War II Spitfire pilots and thousands of others gathered in front of the old wartime cabinet rooms and the replica of a Spitfire to commemorate that speech. The pilots are in their 80s and 90s.
From July to October 1940, these valiant few battles huge numbers of German aircraft intent on destroying England and London especially.
A Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft did a fly-past.
The speech also honored British bombers who were attacking German positions over the Channel.
"The gratitude of every home...goes out to British airmen who, undaunted by odds, unwearied in their constant challenge and mortal danger, are turning the tide of the world war by their prowess and by their devotion. Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few."
Quite a set of words.
Well-Done Winston and RAF. --Cooter
August 20, 1940, marked the 70th anniversary of one of Winston Churchill's most famous speeched thanking the RAF fighter pilots for their gallant service defending the homeland during the Battle of Britain.
Several former RAF World War II Spitfire pilots and thousands of others gathered in front of the old wartime cabinet rooms and the replica of a Spitfire to commemorate that speech. The pilots are in their 80s and 90s.
From July to October 1940, these valiant few battles huge numbers of German aircraft intent on destroying England and London especially.
A Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft did a fly-past.
The speech also honored British bombers who were attacking German positions over the Channel.
"The gratitude of every home...goes out to British airmen who, undaunted by odds, unwearied in their constant challenge and mortal danger, are turning the tide of the world war by their prowess and by their devotion. Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few."
Quite a set of words.
Well-Done Winston and RAF. --Cooter
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Five World War II "Myths" Affecting British Life
August 23rd Guardian (UK) Observer by Robert McCrum.
The number of British people who lived through World War II is now down to around 3 million.
Robert McCrum says these five "myths" continue to condition British response to everyday life.
1. DUNKIRK-- Pluck victory from the jaws of defeat.
2. FOR BRITISH CHILDREN-- separation and loss. Many were evacuated to the countryside from cities.
3. "DIG FOR VICTORY"-- by sweat and effort, the British can survive. Shovels and spades were used in cities to rescue those in bombings.
4. THE BLITZ-- 717 bombings of London brought about a stoical repression of feelings.
5. SUSTAINED SENSE OF MORAL SUPERIORITY-- derived from standing alone against fascism.
Interesting thoughts and observations, but since I don't live there, I don't know how much is true.
I Wonder If a Case Could Be Made for Some Others? --Da Coot
The number of British people who lived through World War II is now down to around 3 million.
Robert McCrum says these five "myths" continue to condition British response to everyday life.
1. DUNKIRK-- Pluck victory from the jaws of defeat.
2. FOR BRITISH CHILDREN-- separation and loss. Many were evacuated to the countryside from cities.
3. "DIG FOR VICTORY"-- by sweat and effort, the British can survive. Shovels and spades were used in cities to rescue those in bombings.
4. THE BLITZ-- 717 bombings of London brought about a stoical repression of feelings.
5. SUSTAINED SENSE OF MORAL SUPERIORITY-- derived from standing alone against fascism.
Interesting thoughts and observations, but since I don't live there, I don't know how much is true.
I Wonder If a Case Could Be Made for Some Others? --Da Coot
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Bethnal Green Disaster, 1943-- Part 2
BBC reported a heavy raid on Berlin on March 1st, so a retaliatory attack was expected. On March 3rd, at 8:17 pm, air defence sirens went off and people began an orderly move down into the tunnels. At 8:27, a nearby anti-aircraft battery opened fire, launching a new type of rocket, that people had never heard before.
This frightened the crowd, which started pushing forward faster. It is believed that a woman, possibly carrying a baby, tripped on the stairs, causing others to fall around her. Civilians toward the back did not know this and continued to push forward, and in a very short time, about 90 seconds, 300 people were crushed. A total of 172 people were dead on the scene and another died at a hospital. Even worse, 62 were children.
The tragedy was reported, but due to wartime censorship, the location was not given. This was the largest single loss of civilians during WW II, and none of them were from German bombs. Actually, I never did read whether an attack actually occurred that night.
The largest single civilian loss in London during the attacks was 65 at Balham Underground station when an armor piercing bomb exploded in it.
Sad to Be True. --Cooter
This frightened the crowd, which started pushing forward faster. It is believed that a woman, possibly carrying a baby, tripped on the stairs, causing others to fall around her. Civilians toward the back did not know this and continued to push forward, and in a very short time, about 90 seconds, 300 people were crushed. A total of 172 people were dead on the scene and another died at a hospital. Even worse, 62 were children.
The tragedy was reported, but due to wartime censorship, the location was not given. This was the largest single loss of civilians during WW II, and none of them were from German bombs. Actually, I never did read whether an attack actually occurred that night.
The largest single civilian loss in London during the attacks was 65 at Balham Underground station when an armor piercing bomb exploded in it.
Sad to Be True. --Cooter
Bethnal Green Disaster, 19 Part 1
Earlier, in the previous post, #6, I hadn't ever heard of the disaster that claimed the 173 lives at the London air raid shelter, so did a little research on Wikipedia and other sources. It was definitely a tragedy and perhaps one that shouldn't have happened, but under the circumstances, not surprising.
Unfortunately, I wrote about it in another blog http://downdaroadigo.blogspot.com.
See today's date.
More to Come. --Cooter
Unfortunately, I wrote about it in another blog http://downdaroadigo.blogspot.com.
See today's date.
More to Come. --Cooter
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)