Eagle Day: The RAF's Last Stand Against The Luftwaffe Battle Of Britain Timeline
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Date: 2022-07-19
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Comments and reviews: 20
Finn
Pity it starts off with such a glaring historical error - 15th September is Battle of Britain Day, but it was not Eagle Day. That was the code name given by the Germans to the start of their onslaught on the RAF to pave the way for invasion. After several postponements caused by the weather, Eagle Day, or Adler Tag as the Germans called it, finally got under way on 13th August. It started badly for the RAF, who were stretched to the limit by the attacks on their airfields. The turning point came on the 7th September when the Germans, wrongly believing the RAF to have been beaten, switched their attacks to London - the start of the Blitz. The RAF recovered, and the Germans got the shock of their lives on the 15th September when every 11 Group Squadron was scrambled to intercept the raiders on their way to London, where they were met by 12 Groups Big Wing of 5 more Squadrons from Duxford. The German pilots had been told the RAF had no more than 50 Spitfires left (to them, all our fighters were Spitfires, and when they were confronted with the truth over London, most of them fled for their lives.
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Pity it starts off with such a glaring historical error - 15th September is Battle of Britain Day, but it was not Eagle Day. That was the code name given by the Germans to the start of their onslaught on the RAF to pave the way for invasion. After several postponements caused by the weather, Eagle Day, or Adler Tag as the Germans called it, finally got under way on 13th August. It started badly for the RAF, who were stretched to the limit by the attacks on their airfields. The turning point came on the 7th September when the Germans, wrongly believing the RAF to have been beaten, switched their attacks to London - the start of the Blitz. The RAF recovered, and the Germans got the shock of their lives on the 15th September when every 11 Group Squadron was scrambled to intercept the raiders on their way to London, where they were met by 12 Groups Big Wing of 5 more Squadrons from Duxford. The German pilots had been told the RAF had no more than 50 Spitfires left (to them, all our fighters were Spitfires, and when they were confronted with the truth over London, most of them fled for their lives.
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nicktecky55
To pen a story such as this, and to make absolutely no mention of the hundreds of pilots from all around the world who were part of The Few is nothing short of a disgrace. The programme makers should be ashamed of themselves.
Poland -145, New Zealand - 127, Canada - 112, Czechoslovakia - 84, Belgium - 28, Australia - 26, South Africa - 22, Free France - 13, Ireland - 10, USA - 9, S Rhodesia - 3 and Barbados, Jamaica, Newfoundland, N Rhodesia - 1 each. I make that 583 compared with UK numbers - 1839. Even that UK number doesn't include some pilots from the Commonwealth.
The sorry truth was that class factionalism meant that there were so few trained officers, who had to go through Cranwell, and be of the right class. It was last minute desperation that trained NCOs to fly, and fast tracked others to officer status. Many of them weren't even paid the rate as Flying Crew, let alone as a Flying Officer. The RAF would not have stood a chance if the powers that be had had their way.
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To pen a story such as this, and to make absolutely no mention of the hundreds of pilots from all around the world who were part of The Few is nothing short of a disgrace. The programme makers should be ashamed of themselves.
Poland -145, New Zealand - 127, Canada - 112, Czechoslovakia - 84, Belgium - 28, Australia - 26, South Africa - 22, Free France - 13, Ireland - 10, USA - 9, S Rhodesia - 3 and Barbados, Jamaica, Newfoundland, N Rhodesia - 1 each. I make that 583 compared with UK numbers - 1839. Even that UK number doesn't include some pilots from the Commonwealth.
The sorry truth was that class factionalism meant that there were so few trained officers, who had to go through Cranwell, and be of the right class. It was last minute desperation that trained NCOs to fly, and fast tracked others to officer status. Many of them weren't even paid the rate as Flying Crew, let alone as a Flying Officer. The RAF would not have stood a chance if the powers that be had had their way.
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Bert
The Spitfire
We couldn't say it properly
when we saw them in the sky.
Us little kids would point and shout
Spiffeye, spiffeye, spiffeye.
We hid under out desks at school
each time there was a raid;
we would laugh and play the fool,
too young to be afraid.
And when the raid was over,
we'd look up in the sky
to spot the guys who'd saved us
the spiffeye, spiffeye, spiffeye.
Now I'm living near the flight path
of Pete Field and Schriever Bases
I don't know the names of these modern planes
and their modern pilot Aces.
But to honor every one of them
as I watch them flying by
You'll hear me quietly whispering
Spiffeye, spiffeye, spiffeye.
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The Spitfire
We couldn't say it properly
when we saw them in the sky.
Us little kids would point and shout
Spiffeye, spiffeye, spiffeye.
We hid under out desks at school
each time there was a raid;
we would laugh and play the fool,
too young to be afraid.
And when the raid was over,
we'd look up in the sky
to spot the guys who'd saved us
the spiffeye, spiffeye, spiffeye.
Now I'm living near the flight path
of Pete Field and Schriever Bases
I don't know the names of these modern planes
and their modern pilot Aces.
But to honor every one of them
as I watch them flying by
You'll hear me quietly whispering
Spiffeye, spiffeye, spiffeye.
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Nick
100 Octane Avgas thanks both to pre-war agreement and wartime sales arrangements, American suppliers delivered sufficient quantities of performance-enhancing 100 octane fuel to England in time for use by Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain. page 84 The Burning Blue Addison and Crang Faber and Faber Ltd London WCIB 3DA
The Mediterranean was closed to transit from June 1940 to mid 1943. The Suez Canal reduces the distance traveled from Britain to the Middle East by 5, 500 miles. New York City to Glascow by air 3, 219. 95 mi (5, 182. 01 km)
see Houdry Process American Chemical Society
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100 Octane Avgas thanks both to pre-war agreement and wartime sales arrangements, American suppliers delivered sufficient quantities of performance-enhancing 100 octane fuel to England in time for use by Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain. page 84 The Burning Blue Addison and Crang Faber and Faber Ltd London WCIB 3DA
The Mediterranean was closed to transit from June 1940 to mid 1943. The Suez Canal reduces the distance traveled from Britain to the Middle East by 5, 500 miles. New York City to Glascow by air 3, 219. 95 mi (5, 182. 01 km)
see Houdry Process American Chemical Society
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Shane
No disrespect to the very real achievements of RAF Fighter Command in 1940, but Britain was never in danger of invasion. The British War Cabinet knew this in early July. Operation Sealion was set for 15 September. Thirty days either side of that date Germany's operational surface fleet consisted of three heavy cruisers, two light cruisers and eight destroyers. In August 1940, when Britain supposedly needed every rifle and every bullet, an armoured brigade (150 tanks) were dispatched to Egypt.
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No disrespect to the very real achievements of RAF Fighter Command in 1940, but Britain was never in danger of invasion. The British War Cabinet knew this in early July. Operation Sealion was set for 15 September. Thirty days either side of that date Germany's operational surface fleet consisted of three heavy cruisers, two light cruisers and eight destroyers. In August 1940, when Britain supposedly needed every rifle and every bullet, an armoured brigade (150 tanks) were dispatched to Egypt.
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Frederick
In Nov of 1976 I stood transfixed in a room in Edingburgh Castle that housed the remains of hundreds of Heroes of the RAF. The guard yelled at me to remove my cap cover not knowing that I was so overcome with awe and humbled by the debt I and the world owed these men, that my hat was the last thing on my mind. I yanked my cap off and was so overcome with shame that I looked like the ugly American I couldn't face the man. Should he read this please know it was not disrespect.
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In Nov of 1976 I stood transfixed in a room in Edingburgh Castle that housed the remains of hundreds of Heroes of the RAF. The guard yelled at me to remove my cap cover not knowing that I was so overcome with awe and humbled by the debt I and the world owed these men, that my hat was the last thing on my mind. I yanked my cap off and was so overcome with shame that I looked like the ugly American I couldn't face the man. Should he read this please know it was not disrespect.
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Scooter
As we witness a new despot attempting conquest, the Battle of Britain reminds us of the indefinable courage and conviction of people defending their home against aggressive bully boys. The winner needs more than the most tanks, ships and aeroplanes; they also need the courage of their convictions.
The poignant end scene of the exhausted pilot collapsing onto a bed epitomises this courage and commitment for me.
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As we witness a new despot attempting conquest, the Battle of Britain reminds us of the indefinable courage and conviction of people defending their home against aggressive bully boys. The winner needs more than the most tanks, ships and aeroplanes; they also need the courage of their convictions.
The poignant end scene of the exhausted pilot collapsing onto a bed epitomises this courage and commitment for me.
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Peter
I'VE just spent the last 25mins reading your comments and the thing that really stands out from all of them is the feeling that even today the spirit of togetherness is still alive and kicking, young men of so many nationalities gave their lives and more so that we can live our lives in the peace of today it seems inadequate however thank you all for your valiant efforts may you never be forgotten EVER.
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I'VE just spent the last 25mins reading your comments and the thing that really stands out from all of them is the feeling that even today the spirit of togetherness is still alive and kicking, young men of so many nationalities gave their lives and more so that we can live our lives in the peace of today it seems inadequate however thank you all for your valiant efforts may you never be forgotten EVER.
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AD
My Great Grandfather was part of the Indian regiment fighting for the allies via the British Indian forces. Indian regiment were given assignments that the allies assumed to be a lost cause. Unwinnable scenarios. But the outcome of those fights would surprise you. A dedicated Episode of Indian and colonial contribution to WW2 is needed.
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My Great Grandfather was part of the Indian regiment fighting for the allies via the British Indian forces. Indian regiment were given assignments that the allies assumed to be a lost cause. Unwinnable scenarios. But the outcome of those fights would surprise you. A dedicated Episode of Indian and colonial contribution to WW2 is needed.
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Rahul
These people only say about Britain and they don't ever encourage about the British Empire fighting on behalf of Britain. Indian soldiers itself was 3 million and they fought the Nazis and Japanese on two sides. But it's a matter of self respect right for Britain and the West! . Britian itself fought against the Nazis.
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These people only say about Britain and they don't ever encourage about the British Empire fighting on behalf of Britain. Indian soldiers itself was 3 million and they fought the Nazis and Japanese on two sides. But it's a matter of self respect right for Britain and the West! . Britian itself fought against the Nazis.
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Art
I guess I was about ten years old when I first read an account of the Battle of Britain, and it scared the living daylights out of me. I had no idea just how close we'd come to losing in 1940. Almost fifty years later, and almost eighty years since the end of the war I still get the shivers thinking about it.
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I guess I was about ten years old when I first read an account of the Battle of Britain, and it scared the living daylights out of me. I had no idea just how close we'd come to losing in 1940. Almost fifty years later, and almost eighty years since the end of the war I still get the shivers thinking about it.
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Gooner
There was pickles everywhere sums it up for me when I think of our collective regard for what was looming and still we could make light in dark times. Those who lost their lives for us will never be forgotten even when most of us don't know each of there names. I salute everyone one of you brave people.
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There was pickles everywhere sums it up for me when I think of our collective regard for what was looming and still we could make light in dark times. Those who lost their lives for us will never be forgotten even when most of us don't know each of there names. I salute everyone one of you brave people.
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Timberwolfe
So amazing to get true eyewitness accounts, and yet sad to see that all of the actual people who did these things, defending, and telling positions, they have passed away. I hope that the next generation sees these videos in schools and talk about them so that they know true history
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So amazing to get true eyewitness accounts, and yet sad to see that all of the actual people who did these things, defending, and telling positions, they have passed away. I hope that the next generation sees these videos in schools and talk about them so that they know true history
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Markmark
My father brought down fifteen planes When he retired from the RAF They told him he was the worst mechanic they had ever had But to be honest He was a navigator on a Wellington bomber He did his training in Canada He would have been a pilot But bounced the planes on landing
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My father brought down fifteen planes When he retired from the RAF They told him he was the worst mechanic they had ever had But to be honest He was a navigator on a Wellington bomber He did his training in Canada He would have been a pilot But bounced the planes on landing
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Phillip
I may be wrong but I'm sure that Eagle Day was the term used by the Germans for the destruction of British airfields destroying a majority of the British fighter force before they even had chance to leave the ground. That was shown in the film The Battle of Britain.
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I may be wrong but I'm sure that Eagle Day was the term used by the Germans for the destruction of British airfields destroying a majority of the British fighter force before they even had chance to leave the ground. That was shown in the film The Battle of Britain.
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Marina
Shrapnel and girlsI dont think so, unless they were collecting for an older brother. Amazing documentary, courageous young men (they didnt have to be drafted or anything, they were defending their home/country etc)also amazing footage from the war!
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Shrapnel and girlsI dont think so, unless they were collecting for an older brother. Amazing documentary, courageous young men (they didnt have to be drafted or anything, they were defending their home/country etc)also amazing footage from the war!
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Tango6nf
All these wonderful people are now gone, thank goodness that their experiences were recorded in time, their accounts from the view of small children and civilians are so illuminating. Personally I find that kind of history the most fascinating.
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All these wonderful people are now gone, thank goodness that their experiences were recorded in time, their accounts from the view of small children and civilians are so illuminating. Personally I find that kind of history the most fascinating.
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Margaret
My uncles were part of the defence of Britain during the battle and they never really talked about it. All I know as a child was that my entire family were traumatised by WW2 and we should be mindful of their sacrifice, so many just teenagers.
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My uncles were part of the defence of Britain during the battle and they never really talked about it. All I know as a child was that my entire family were traumatised by WW2 and we should be mindful of their sacrifice, so many just teenagers.
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Hazel
Many years back, I was secretary to an ex-RAF pilot. He told me, please don't ask me about the war. I lost my family in the bombing of Britain. May you rest in Peace Sir. The world owes a deep debt of gratitude to the courage of men like you.
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Many years back, I was secretary to an ex-RAF pilot. He told me, please don't ask me about the war. I lost my family in the bombing of Britain. May you rest in Peace Sir. The world owes a deep debt of gratitude to the courage of men like you.
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TOFKAS01
Well, Last stand is quite an exageration. it was more a defend behind the own lines. If you look at the numbers and the economy, the germans never had a chance to win that. And an invasion was far beyond the capabilities of the germans.
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Well, Last stand is quite an exageration. it was more a defend behind the own lines. If you look at the numbers and the economy, the germans never had a chance to win that. And an invasion was far beyond the capabilities of the germans.
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