The last of the glorious Few 70 years on: (profiles of remaining airmen of the Battle of Britain)

Mail on Sunday (UK) ^ | 19th September 2010 | By Ian Gallagher and Keri Sutherland

[naturalman1975]

They are the glorious Few, the airmen whose extraordinary bravery saved Britain from Nazi invasion.

Seventy years on, the heroes who repelled Hitler’s Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain are a dwindling band – it is thought only 79, all recorded on this article, are still alive.

Today a special anniversary service at Westminster Abbey will remember the efforts of all those who took part in the pivotal encounter, arguably the most important ever fought by this nation.

Aces in the pack: Flanked by Spitfires and Hurricanes at Duxford, 17 of the last remaining Battle of Britain pilots line up for the camera

Many were in their late teens or early 20s when they took to the skies in Spitfires and Hurricanes from July to October 1940. Others flew in Blenheims, Beaufighters and Defiants. Some became the ‘aces’ of the Battle, shooting down plane after plane.

During the Battle, Sir Winston Churchill said: ‘The gratitude of every home in our island, in our empire, and indeed throughout the world, goes out to the British airmen who, undaunted by odds, unwearied in their constant challenge and mortal danger, are turning the tide of the world war by their prowess and by their devotion.

‘Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.’

When it was over, 544 RAF pilots and aircrew were dead.

[wagglebee]

Great story, thanks for posting it.

God Bless all of these brave heroes!

[Mr. Silverback]

Bump for heroes

[pieceofthepuzzle]

Recently met someone whose father was in the 29th Squadron during this time. If not for the bravery of those men, and the fact that the Spitfires were a little better than the German planes, England could have been lost. It could have altered the face of the globe for the entire 20th century and beyond.

[Cronos]

I hope they remember the Kosciusko squadron of Poles who had the most number of hits during the battle.

[naturalman1975]

Ceremonies to specifically honour the Poles who fought in the Battle of Britain were held last week. Only one of the Polish Few is still alive - Wing Commander Tadeusz Sawicz.

[naturalman1975]

Memorial to the Polish Squadrons in London.

[Cronos]

that is nice. thank you!

[the scotsman]

A Scot, I am very proud to say.