Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

A Nation Defiant; Message from a Londoner (with photos: WWII Lancaster bomber; Spitfire; Hurricane)
Email | JULY 25, 2005 | Londoner

Posted on 07/25/2005 4:53:28 PM PDT by CHARLITE

Hello Lads,

I don't know what sort of news coverage you're getting in the U.S, but I just thought I'd show you some pictures of London yesterday... 3 days after the terrorists struck:


A Lancaster Bomber, escorted by a Spitfire and a Hurricane flies over Buckingham Palace to the Mall. Between 250,000 and 500,000 people are in the Mall. The Queen and the Royal Family are on the balcony of Buck House just as she was with Winston Churchill in 1945.


The bomb doors open, and a million poppies fall to earth to commemorate those who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom and peace.


So, if anyone thinks they can force us to change our ways with bombs, and start being cowed by terror, then they'd better think again. The Daily Mirror summed it up nicely:


I was in the summer sunshine in the Cotswolds, when I was fortunate to see something that I'd never seen before "live" before me. Coming towards me over the trees and climbing slowly towards its cruising height was the unforgettable sight and sound of a Spitfire, with its stunningly shaped wings. Perhaps one of the most beautiful planes that ever flew. It was on its way to a flypast to commemorate the 60th anniversary of WWII celebrations. I felt overwhelming proud to have seen it fly over my home.


65 years ago, over the same summer skies, Spitfires and Hurricanes, and the young men who flew them, saved my little country and in saving it helped save the world from a terrible darkness.

So if those bloody cowards with their sodding beards, heads with tea-towels wrapped round them, and their "jihads" against innocent women and children think they can do better than Hitler, or Napoleon or Phillip the Second of Spain or any of the rest of them, well they'll be in a for a shock.

An "islamic" web site claimed that "London was ablaze with panic and fear" after Thursday. As one wag at Kings Cross station noted on a sign underneath a huge Union Jack: "London ablaze with panic and fear"... "MY ARSE".

Hope to have a pint with you all soon. Thanks again for the kind messages.


TOPICS: Your Opinion/Questions
KEYWORDS: aircraft; buckingham; dailymirror; defiance; england; greatbritain; london; palace; spitfire; waronterror; wwii
Somehow, I don't think that the big "show" over Buckingham Palace with the million poppies happened "3 days after the terrorists struck." If such an event had taken place, Queen on balcony and all, we most surely would have seen it covered worldwide.

The emailer seems to have made up the photo collage to go along with his sincere expressions of defiance.........but it makes an interesting "might have been" story!

Do YOU think it happened this way?

1 posted on 07/25/2005 4:53:28 PM PDT by CHARLITE
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: CHARLITE; Aeronaut; hattend; patton

Awesome!

Ping?


2 posted on 07/25/2005 4:59:55 PM PDT by Dashing Dasher ( If you want to give me a present, my size is cash..........)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: CHARLITE

Cool! I saw the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight on the 50th Anniversary of... the Battle of Britain!

I was stationed at RAF Alconbury and went down to London for the festivities.

They didn't drop anything then... :-(

Take 'em out Britain!


3 posted on 07/25/2005 5:08:36 PM PDT by hattend (Alaska....in a time warp all it's own!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Dashing Dasher

I was also in London when they were filming flying parts for the movie 'Memphis Belle'.

Watching 2 flights of B-17s fly over sends chills down your spine.


4 posted on 07/25/2005 5:11:14 PM PDT by hattend (Alaska....in a time warp all it's own!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: hattend
A different view of a B17 flying over my hometown.

Image hosted by Photobucket.com

5 posted on 07/25/2005 5:15:14 PM PDT by Dashing Dasher ( If you want to give me a present, my size is cash..........)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Dashing Dasher

Lucky you! I hope to meet one of those heritage flights on their tour one of these days. That and go take a ride in Crazy Horse.


6 posted on 07/25/2005 5:19:06 PM PDT by hattend (Alaska....in a time warp all it's own!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: hattend

Crazy Horse....

That would be AWESOME!!!

We should plan a trip together!

Maybe get a FReeper Discount?

LOL!!!

PS... I'm still working on getting my ride in one of the dozen plus around here!


7 posted on 07/25/2005 5:22:15 PM PDT by Dashing Dasher ( If you want to give me a present, my size is cash..........)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Dashing Dasher
Thanks, Dasher! What a great addition to this thread, and the general theme of it!

Char :)

8 posted on 07/25/2005 5:37:48 PM PDT by CHARLITE (I propose a co-Clinton team as permanent reps to Pyonyang, w/out possibility of repatriation....)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: CHARLITE

Anytime!

I love aviation - especially the old warbirds.


9 posted on 07/25/2005 5:40:25 PM PDT by Dashing Dasher ( If you want to give me a present, my size is cash..........)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: CHARLITE



10 posted on 07/25/2005 6:56:00 PM PDT by Bars4Bill
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Bars4Bill

That reminds me, I need to watch "The Dambusters" this weekend.


11 posted on 07/25/2005 8:16:25 PM PDT by hattend (Alaska....in a time warp all it's own!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Bars4Bill

Avro Lancaster? Beautiful plane.


12 posted on 07/25/2005 8:21:11 PM PDT by Ole Okie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson