World War II: In Praise of the RAF

Gerald · 11-06-10, 11:36 AM

It's Not the Size of the Dog in the Fight ...

The pilots of an RAF (Royal Air Force) fighter squadron that destroyed 73 enemy planes and damaged 38 others during the Battle of Britain crowd around a Hawker Hurricane with their canine mascot. Of England's debt to the outnumbered pilots who defeated the Nazi Luftwaffe, Winston Churchill famously said: "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few." Ever since, the pilots who defended Britain during those crucial months in 1940 -- Britons, Poles, Czechs, Yanks, Canadians, Aussies, and other volunteers from around the world -- have been known, simply and affectionately, as The Few.

http://www.life.com/image/3136484/in...ise-of-the-raf

Schöneboom · 11-06-10, 01:29 PM

Excellent photos -- thank you Vendor!

I wonder if that Belgian pilot knew he had the "V for Victory" turned round -- giving it a quite different meaning!

Love that pic of the dogfight training on bicycles -- looks like a Monty Python-esque way to re-enact the Battle of Britain!

Dowly · 11-06-10, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schöneboom

I wonder if that Belgian pilot knew he had the "V for Victory" turned round -- giving it a quite different meaning!

Schöneboom · 11-06-10, 04:33 PM

Eventually Winnie did get it right:

Dowly · 11-06-10, 04:40 PM

Too bad Luftwaffe pilots don't get the same publicity as RAF and other Allied pilots.

Sure they were the bad guys, but one helluva pilots.

Like Adolf Galland coming up with an Tiger Moth trainer over england, flying alongside it, wiggling his 109's wings and leaving. Many would have shot the TM down knowing it was a trainer plane for future RAF pilots.

Nevertheless, no matter the country, pilots have always place in my heart, if only one day I could fly up there.

But no, thank you "god".

Gerald · 11-06-10, 06:42 PM

Dowly! It is never too late for this,

Oberon · 11-06-10, 06:45 PM

Quite a few instances of pilots holding short of the final death blow, or escorting a injured plane out of the territory in the BOB. IIRC a Spitfire followed a smoking 109 back out over the channel, gave the pilot a wave and then turned back for home.
It's easy to forget that there is a human in that shape of metal, kudos to those who remembered and had the strength to hold back.

Oberon · 11-06-10, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dowly

Too bad Luftwaffe pilots don't get the same publicity as RAF and other Allied pilots.

I'm sure they did in the Wehrmachtbericht and the Deutsche Wochenschau, but of course, Germany lost and so they became the 'bad guys' and it's only now that their pilots are beginning to get equal recognition. Although it's certainly not to the extent that people like Manfred Von Richthofen have achieved since the First World War, after all, few common people know of Barkorn, Hartmann, Marsielle and Priller but everyone has heard of 'The Red Baron'.

Schroeder · 11-07-10, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dowly

Nevertheless, no matter the country, pilots have always place in my heart, if only one day I could fly up there.

But no, thank you "god".

Why don't you try out gliders. It's comparably cheap and lets you be a pilot. I had always dreamt of flying motorplanes, but since I've started flying gliders I don't miss the noise at all any more. Actually I've come to dislike flying in loud prop jobs and enjoy the quiet beauty of just gliding through the air (and desperately searching for some thermal that could give you some altitude

).

Jimbuna · 11-07-10, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schöneboom

Eventually Winnie did get it right:

yes he most certainly did

Catfish · 11-08-10, 05:56 PM

Some other less-known story:
http://www.waltsrchanger.com/html/b-...olde_pub_.html

And let me say i would not be here, if not a RAF pilot had spared my father in 1940, in his shot-up 52/3m.

Also a nice short film in german - don't read the comments until you saw it, it somehow spoils the effect:

English subtitles:

Making of "Der letzte Flug/The last flight":

And kudos to the RAF

Greetings,
Catfish

11-06-10, 11:36 AM	#1
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	World War II: In Praise of the RAF It's Not the Size of the Dog in the Fight ... The pilots of an RAF (Royal Air Force) fighter squadron that destroyed 73 enemy planes and damaged 38 others during the Battle of Britain crowd around a Hawker Hurricane with their canine mascot. Of England's debt to the outnumbered pilots who defeated the Nazi Luftwaffe, Winston Churchill famously said: "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few." Ever since, the pilots who defended Britain during those crucial months in 1940 -- Britons, Poles, Czechs, Yanks, Canadians, Aussies, and other volunteers from around the world -- have been known, simply and affectionately, as The Few. http://www.life.com/image/3136484/in...ise-of-the-raf __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

11-06-10, 01:29 PM	#2
Schöneboom Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 651 Downloads: 36 Uploads: 0	Excellent photos -- thank you Vendor! I wonder if that Belgian pilot knew he had the "V for Victory" turned round -- giving it a quite different meaning! Love that pic of the dogfight training on bicycles -- looks like a Monty Python-esque way to re-enact the Battle of Britain! __________________ Dietrich Schöneboom, U-431 "Es wird klappen, Herr Kaleun. Ganz sicher."

11-06-10, 04:33 PM	#4
Schöneboom Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 651 Downloads: 36 Uploads: 0	Eventually Winnie did get it right: __________________ Dietrich Schöneboom, U-431 "Es wird klappen, Herr Kaleun. Ganz sicher."

11-06-10, 06:42 PM	#6
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Dowly! It is never too late for this, __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

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11-06-10, 04:40 PM	#5
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,052 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	Too bad Luftwaffe pilots don't get the same publicity as RAF and other Allied pilots. Sure they were the bad guys, but one helluva pilots. Like Adolf Galland coming up with an Tiger Moth trainer over england, flying alongside it, wiggling his 109's wings and leaving. Many would have shot the TM down knowing it was a trainer plane for future RAF pilots. Nevertheless, no matter the country, pilots have always place in my heart, if only one day I could fly up there. But no, thank you "god".

11-06-10, 06:45 PM	#7
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	Quite a few instances of pilots holding short of the final death blow, or escorting a injured plane out of the territory in the BOB. IIRC a Spitfire followed a smoking 109 back out over the channel, gave the pilot a wave and then turned back for home. It's easy to forget that there is a human in that shape of metal, kudos to those who remembered and had the strength to hold back.

11-08-10, 05:56 PM	#11
Catfish Dipped Squirrel Operative Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: ..where the ocean meets the sky Posts: 17,765 Downloads: 38 Uploads: 0	Some other less-known story: http://www.waltsrchanger.com/html/b-...olde_pub_.html And let me say i would not be here, if not a RAF pilot had spared my father in 1940, in his shot-up 52/3m. Also a nice short film in german - don't read the comments until you saw it, it somehow spoils the effect: English subtitles: Making of "Der letzte Flug/The last flight": And kudos to the RAF Greetings, Catfish