BATTLE of BRITAIN DAY 2009

BATTLE of BRITAIN DAY
By Paul Mutter
Last week, on Tuesday September 15th, it was Battle of Britain day,
it was the day in 1940 that 1,000 enemy planes bombed London
during both the day and the night. It was the day seen as the turning point in the battle for air supremacy in the skies over the British
Isles, a day when British and allied fighters shot down 175 of the enemies planes with only 25 allied planes lost and 13 pilots killed or missing, at least that was the claim at the time. More important
than the numbers destroyed, was the effect on the enemy’s plans for the invasion of the British Isles. As a result of failing to establish air superiority, operation Sea Lion, which was the seaborne invasion
plan, was cancelled indefinitely. Some commentators believe it was an even more fundamental turning point than that, arguing that it helped change American public opinion to support for Britain and the allies bringing the Americans into the European war.
From a morale point of view it proved an enormous boost to a nation still recovering from the retreat and losses at Dunkirk.
Whatever the strategic importance and implication of the Battle of Britain it was won at a high cost to both military personnel and civilians and those losses, particularly to the RAF personnel who fought so valiantly with many paying the ultimate price, was remembered here on the Costa Blanca last week in La Siesta Church at the annual Battle Of Britain Remembrance Service.
The service was conducted by Philip Haward MBE, the Branch
Chaplain of the Royal air Forces Association, and attended by Councillor Pedro Valero and Mr Graham Knight representing the
Town Hall of Torrevieja.
The church at La Siesta was full for the service which started with the National Anthems of host country Spain followed by the National Anthem of Great Britain. During the singing the standards of five ex-service associations led by the Spanish Bandera and the Union Jack were processed into the church to stand behind the chaplain during the service. The readings were given by Branch Chairman Neville Hancox, Vice President Bill Butler and by Philip Haward MBE Branch Chaplain. The hymns chosen were ‘Our God our help in ages passed’, ‘All people that on earth do dwell’, and a setting of Psalm 46 ,’God
is our strength and refuge’ to the Dambusters theme. The collection was made on behalf of the Royal Air Forces Association Cost Blanca Branch ‘Wings Appeal’ 2009.
The theme of the sermon was ‘The Few’ a phrase that came from Winston Churchill’s words, "never was so much owed by so many to
so few" and has passed into popular usage. At the end of the service the standards were gathered up for the ‘Dedication’ spoken by Brian Hewitt MBE Branch President before the bearers and congregation moved to the small garden of Remembrance in the grounds of the church.
There, following a prayer from the chaplain, a wreath was laid in memory of those who have passed away and individual memorial crosses were placed in memory of family and friends who have served and who are no longer with us. It was an emotional ending to the service.