BATTLE OF BRITAIN ‘LACE’
In a moving display of national unity and remembrance, several hundred people have gathered in Hobart to mark the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, the pivotal World War II air campaign that halted Nazi Germany’s invasion plans for the United Kingdom.
Attendees travelled from across Australia to join the commemorations coordinated by the RAAF Association – Tasmania Division under the leadership of Wing Commander Jenny Robertson (Ret), the state president.
The events, from 12 to 14 September, drew a diverse crowd including veterans, serving Air Force personnel and families honouring the sacrifices of “The Few”. Highlights included a remembrance service at St David’s Cathedral, a wreath-laying ceremony at the Hobart Cenotaph and a formal dining-in night where AVM Nicholas Hogan CSC, Head Air Force Capability gave an address and a toast to ‘The Few.’ The weekend culminated in an inspiring occasional address by Air Vice-Marshal Joe Iervasi AM, CSC, national president of the Air Force Association.
The Battle of Britain, fought from July to October 1940, saw the Royal Air Force defend British skies against relentless Luftwaffe assaults.
Delving into the strategic context, AVM Iervasi highlighted the dire situation in summer 1940, stating, “Europe lay under the iron heel of Nazi Germany. France had fallen and Britain stood alone, an island fortress facing the Luftwaffe. The question was simple and terrifying: could this nation withstand a sustained air assault? The answer lay not only in the courage of ‘The Few’ but in foresight, organisation, industrial might – and yes, a measure of luck.”
AVM Iervasi recounted key turning points, such as Eagle Day on 13 August, disrupted by weather, and 15 August’s “Greatest Day” or “Black Thursday” for Germany, with over 2000 Luftwaffe sorties but heavy losses. Winston Churchill’s famous words – “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few” – came after visiting RAF Uxbridge on 16 August, the same day Flight Lieutenant James Nicolson earned the only Victoria Cross of the battle despite being severely wounded.
The “Hardest Day” on 18 August saw intense clashes over southern England, with both sides losing around 70 aircraft. A Luftwaffe bombing error over London on 24 August prompted retaliation, infuriating Hitler and shifting attacks to cities. AVM Iervasi explained, “This shift was a stroke of luck for the RAF: airfield repairs continued unmolested, radar stations were back online and Fighter Command regained its footing – turning what was meant to be a knockout blow into a respite that secured Britain’s skies.”
The Blitz began on 7 September, but 15 September – “Battle of Britain Day” – saw 56 German aircraft downed, convincing the High Command of failure and leading to the postponement of Operation Sea Lion on 17 September.
Australia’s role shone through 32 pilots in Fighter Command, 14 of whom perished. Standouts included Squadron Leader Pat Hughes from New South Wales, who scored 14 kills with daring close-range attacks before dying on 7 September at age 22; Flying Officer Ken Holland from South Australia; Flight Lieutenant Richard “Dick” Glyde from Western Australia; and Lieutenant Allan “Peter” Sheen.
Beyond fighters, No. 10 Squadron RAAF conducted vital air-sea rescues with Sunderland flying boats, aiding 322 of 537 ditched aircrew to return to duty swiftly.
Reflecting on today’s relevance, AVM Iervasi urged preparedness, stating, “We live in uncertain times. Conflict in Europe and the Middle East; competition and antagonism in the Pacific. There are many things for people to be anxious about and most would choose to avoid discussing these issues. But that shouldn’t be the reason to avoid the subject. Perhaps we could spend less time contemplating if something will or won’t happen and more time on engaging about what to do and how to do it, should it happen.”
He paid tribute to fallen comrades, including Flight Lieutenants Jeremy McNess and Mark Cairns-Cowan, who were tragically killed in an F-111 accident in 1993. The address closed with Flight Lieutenant William Walker’s poem “Our Wall”, inscribed at Capel-le-Ferne.
