Paphos Life

Today, 15th September, is #Battle of Britain Day.

We remember “the Few” – the aircrew from Britain and the 574 aircrew from other nations – who successfully defended the skies over the UK during the Battle of Britain in the summer of 1940.

We also remember all those men and women who served in support of the flying squadrons, including in the world’s first integrated air defence system and those in essential engineering roles.

Across the UK, there will be Services to remember this, the decisive day of the Battle.

We send our thanks and best wishes in particular to the last remaining 'few'; Wing Commander Paul Farnes DFM, Flight Lieutenant William Clark DFM, Flight Lieutenant Maurice Mounsdon and Flying Officer John Hemingway DFC.


'Never in the history of mankind has so much been owed by so many to so few'.

Please also remember the ground crews, control rooms and logistical staff that worked so hard as well.

Yes, very true. But its a tradition in the RAF that winning the Battle for Britain in 1940 is when the squadron pilots left -after Dunkirk, ‘The Few’ risked their lives working incredible hours to vanquish numerically much greater German Fighter squadrons who were intent on trying to destroy our airfields as well as the airplanes. Of course our pilots, very brave men, were dependent on all the people working on the ground to support them and to keep the aircraft serviceable. Thus the ‘Battle for Britain’! It would have been very different in the UK had we lost the air war then.
Dee