How The Battle Of Britain Began Battle Of Britain Timeline
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Date: 2022-07-19
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Comments and reviews: 20
Dan
Since Chaine Home played such a pivotable role in the Battle of Britain, its a shame that the British Government didnt choose to preserve at least one radar site and one Ground Controller site for historical purposes. I visited the UK in 1996 and while we were able to see scores of Hurricanes and Spitfires, there was not a single set of Chain Home towers available to see. Im just so glad that the US saw the wisdom to preserve our history of WWII more completely. The UK were world leaders in the development of radar, and its the British scientists and engineers which led to the concepts of radar tactics, Ground-Controlled Intercept, and other tactics, including electronic counter-measures and chaff (window) which did so much to shorten the length of WWII by improving the survivability of Allied aircraft.
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Since Chaine Home played such a pivotable role in the Battle of Britain, its a shame that the British Government didnt choose to preserve at least one radar site and one Ground Controller site for historical purposes. I visited the UK in 1996 and while we were able to see scores of Hurricanes and Spitfires, there was not a single set of Chain Home towers available to see. Im just so glad that the US saw the wisdom to preserve our history of WWII more completely. The UK were world leaders in the development of radar, and its the British scientists and engineers which led to the concepts of radar tactics, Ground-Controlled Intercept, and other tactics, including electronic counter-measures and chaff (window) which did so much to shorten the length of WWII by improving the survivability of Allied aircraft.
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Gene
As the Battle of Britain wore on, and the shortage of trained pilots became critical, the exiles were accepted into RAF squadrons and two Polish fighter units, Nos. 302 and 303 Squadrons, During the Battle of Britain the Czech Sergeant Josef Frantisek was Fighter Command's most successful pilot were formed. Once committed to action, the Poles flew and fought superbly, shooting down 203 enemy aircraft for the loss of 29 pilots killed. No. 303 Squadron became the most successful Fighter Command unit in the Battle, shooting down 126 German machines in only 42 days. Czech Sergeant Josef Frantisek, also of 303, was the top scoring pilot with 17 confirmed victories.
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As the Battle of Britain wore on, and the shortage of trained pilots became critical, the exiles were accepted into RAF squadrons and two Polish fighter units, Nos. 302 and 303 Squadrons, During the Battle of Britain the Czech Sergeant Josef Frantisek was Fighter Command's most successful pilot were formed. Once committed to action, the Poles flew and fought superbly, shooting down 203 enemy aircraft for the loss of 29 pilots killed. No. 303 Squadron became the most successful Fighter Command unit in the Battle, shooting down 126 German machines in only 42 days. Czech Sergeant Josef Frantisek, also of 303, was the top scoring pilot with 17 confirmed victories.
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Doctor
41: 41 - I looked down and the airfield had disappeared because 30 Dorniers had lain 300 bombs all over it, you see, and all you could see was an enormous splurge of black smoke and grey smoke and brown smoke, and I remember thinking, 'The silly blighters, what they've done to our airfield, where am I going to land now? '
A few seconds later, .the airfield was raided, the hangers were bombed, they were flattened, and I thought, 'This is quite a. an exciting sort of time, isn't it? '
So f'n cool, man.
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41: 41 - I looked down and the airfield had disappeared because 30 Dorniers had lain 300 bombs all over it, you see, and all you could see was an enormous splurge of black smoke and grey smoke and brown smoke, and I remember thinking, 'The silly blighters, what they've done to our airfield, where am I going to land now? '
A few seconds later, .the airfield was raided, the hangers were bombed, they were flattened, and I thought, 'This is quite a. an exciting sort of time, isn't it? '
So f'n cool, man.
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Pesky
What a pleasure to see video footage of my grandfather Percival Graham Leggett at 25: 04. He preferred to be called Graham. His memoir of the war is available to listen to on IWM website for free. I will always remember his incredible ability to recall the most finite detail about the aircraft he flew, that was the reason for which he applied to join the RAF, he just loved flying - they all did
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What a pleasure to see video footage of my grandfather Percival Graham Leggett at 25: 04. He preferred to be called Graham. His memoir of the war is available to listen to on IWM website for free. I will always remember his incredible ability to recall the most finite detail about the aircraft he flew, that was the reason for which he applied to join the RAF, he just loved flying - they all did
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Larry
As I understand it, Dowding didn't invent radar -- he wasn't a boffin. But he created the whole system of using radar (and ground observations) to direct the battle. He conceived the whole setup, the whole layout for tracking enemy planes, directing RAF planes to respond, keeping a constant picture of whose planes were where, and managing the battle. A brilliant display of generalship.
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As I understand it, Dowding didn't invent radar -- he wasn't a boffin. But he created the whole system of using radar (and ground observations) to direct the battle. He conceived the whole setup, the whole layout for tracking enemy planes, directing RAF planes to respond, keeping a constant picture of whose planes were where, and managing the battle. A brilliant display of generalship.
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dogmatix
Yes. Britain stood alone. as a Canadian, this script always gets under my skin. Like Britain had no help from anyone else. No merchant fleets coming from Canada bring war materials and personal. Nope. Britain stands alone! No polish pilots or Canadian pilots, or crews training in Canada. Nope Britain stands alone. Maybe, just maybe mention the other that did help.
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Yes. Britain stood alone. as a Canadian, this script always gets under my skin. Like Britain had no help from anyone else. No merchant fleets coming from Canada bring war materials and personal. Nope. Britain stands alone! No polish pilots or Canadian pilots, or crews training in Canada. Nope Britain stands alone. Maybe, just maybe mention the other that did help.
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Dennis
Talk about a steep learning curve, my father trained pilots from 1940 - 45 in a place called Dafoe, Saskatchewan (and won a medal) in instrument flying. Briton was so desperate for pilots if an 18 yr old, snatched from his cradle, could fly a Harvard trainer from Dafoe to 15 Wing Moose Jaw and back again without crashing he was on the next train to Halifax!
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Talk about a steep learning curve, my father trained pilots from 1940 - 45 in a place called Dafoe, Saskatchewan (and won a medal) in instrument flying. Briton was so desperate for pilots if an 18 yr old, snatched from his cradle, could fly a Harvard trainer from Dafoe to 15 Wing Moose Jaw and back again without crashing he was on the next train to Halifax!
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dipanwita
Must hv bn terrifying for all those soldiers on both sides - flying and not knowing anything at the time- the First World War - started the air warfare - the 2nd WW - first time for soo many things like start of advanced air warfare, missiles, aircraft carriers
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Must hv bn terrifying for all those soldiers on both sides - flying and not knowing anything at the time- the First World War - started the air warfare - the 2nd WW - first time for soo many things like start of advanced air warfare, missiles, aircraft carriers
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Louisa
BF 109! not ME 109. and stop saying that the Spitfire was faster than the 109. It wasn't. It did accelerate faster than the 109 but in all other respects it was inferior. The Spitfire still had carburettors FFS!
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BF 109! not ME 109. and stop saying that the Spitfire was faster than the 109. It wasn't. It did accelerate faster than the 109 but in all other respects it was inferior. The Spitfire still had carburettors FFS!
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andrzej797
Polish squadron 303 from norfolk was the most sucesful squadron in batle of britan and that movie is racist polish pilots no one world about? thanks for false the history buffons
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Polish squadron 303 from norfolk was the most sucesful squadron in batle of britan and that movie is racist polish pilots no one world about? thanks for false the history buffons
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Richard
Its disappointing when a program about The Battle of Britain uses movie coverage rather than real films, if it wasn't for the pilots talking this would be a poor programme
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Its disappointing when a program about The Battle of Britain uses movie coverage rather than real films, if it wasn't for the pilots talking this would be a poor programme
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Chungus
My grandma looks 70 but is 82 and still remembers the sound of air raid sirens as a baby, its her earliest memory. Its crazy how close in time this still is to us all.
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My grandma looks 70 but is 82 and still remembers the sound of air raid sirens as a baby, its her earliest memory. Its crazy how close in time this still is to us all.
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Aditiya
Kaka saya. Kaka ipar saya di sakiti lagi lahir batin seperti ini. mereka tidak bersalah apapun. dasar pemeras keji kejam. biadab. tidak manusiawi.
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Kaka saya. Kaka ipar saya di sakiti lagi lahir batin seperti ini. mereka tidak bersalah apapun. dasar pemeras keji kejam. biadab. tidak manusiawi.
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Gordon
Britain stands alone? With the resources of the largest empire the world had ever known, and supplied my the industrial giant of the 20th century.
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Britain stands alone? With the resources of the largest empire the world had ever known, and supplied my the industrial giant of the 20th century.
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Wade
Where did Great Britain get its' fuel reserves to fight on in WWII and how was it transported to the country and where they fought in North Africa?
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Where did Great Britain get its' fuel reserves to fight on in WWII and how was it transported to the country and where they fought in North Africa?
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DavidJMa
Brits are frustratingly apathetic - until their backs are right against the wall. They did not realize how close they came to speaking German.
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Brits are frustratingly apathetic - until their backs are right against the wall. They did not realize how close they came to speaking German.
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Pawel
Please, check you all guys cover of the movie battle for Britain and you will see spitfire with polish logo on it. Polish squadrons was the best.
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Please, check you all guys cover of the movie battle for Britain and you will see spitfire with polish logo on it. Polish squadrons was the best.
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ray
If it was me? I would of gone into town
Pick up one inch steel sheet. Put it around the engine and gas tank. And Scarfice ten miles of speed.
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If it was me? I would of gone into town
Pick up one inch steel sheet. Put it around the engine and gas tank. And Scarfice ten miles of speed.
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john
there are no winners in war. only losers. having said that, if it wasn't for Adolf, there is no way my English dad would have met my Dutch mum.
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there are no winners in war. only losers. having said that, if it wasn't for Adolf, there is no way my English dad would have met my Dutch mum.
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keith
The thing with us Brits is that we don't know when we've been beaten. And even when we do know it we still won't give up. RULE BRITAINNIA!
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The thing with us Brits is that we don't know when we've been beaten. And even when we do know it we still won't give up. RULE BRITAINNIA!
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