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Messerschmitts and Spitfires to share the skies
By Richard Alleyne
Daily Telegraph Friday October 30th 2009
RAF Spitfires and Luftwaffe Messerschmitts are to share the skies above Britain for the first time since the Second World War.
The German Air Force has been invited to bring its historic fighters to the Battle of Britain 70th anniversary celebrations at the RAF International Tattoo next July.
Joining the Messerschmitts, which fought countless dogfights with Spitfires and Hurricanes, will be historic planes from the Italian Air Force, which flew alongside their German allies.
It is the first time the German and Italian Air Forces have been asked to take part in the International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford, Gloucester - the biggest annual celebration of military aircraft in the world.
Organisers visited the German and Italian Embassies in London earlier this month to invite their air forces to join the displays in the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
Tim Prince, the Tattoo's director, said it was important to recognise the bravery and honour the fallen of both sides of the conflict. "The Air Tattoo is renowned the world over for being a place where nations come together in a spirit of friendship to share their passion for aviation" he said.
"The German military has been a great supporter of the Air Tattoo for many years and we're delighted it will be taking part in this important anniversary."
He said the Tattoo would celebrate not just the roles of the principal players in the Battle of Britain - the Germans, British and Italians - but all 17 countries that were involved.
The invitation to air forces that were once Britain's sworn enemies was welcomed by war veterans and military associations.
Pat Beard, a former RAF officer from Tewkesbury, Gloucester said enough time has passed for old hostilities to be forgotten and the historic event celebrated by all concerned.
"It is a war long gone and we have all joined hands now to work together" he said.
"Everyone who fought in the war was an airman regardless of which side he was on and I think there was a feeling of great comradeship between them all."
A spokesman for the Cheltenham branch of the British Legion said "We see nothing wrong with the Germans and Italians coming to the Tattoo to take part in this commemoration at all. We are all friends now. There is no way this should be a problem for anyone."
Robert Lee, national spokesman for the Royal British Legion said "The fact is that today the Germans and Italians are our allies in Afghanistan. We are now in the middle of a Poppy Appeal here and our theme is about supporting the wounded and bereaved as a result of what is happening in the Afghan conflict."
Dubbed Britain's finest hour by Winston Churchill, the Battle of Britain in 1940 was the prelude to Hitler's planned Operation Sea Lion, the invasion of Britain. The Luftwaffe's failure to establish air superiority over the outnumbered RAF meant that plans for the invasion were shelved.
Lasting less than four months, it was the first major campaign fought entirely by air forces.
By Richard Alleyne
Daily Telegraph Friday October 30th 2009
RAF Spitfires and Luftwaffe Messerschmitts are to share the skies above Britain for the first time since the Second World War.
The German Air Force has been invited to bring its historic fighters to the Battle of Britain 70th anniversary celebrations at the RAF International Tattoo next July.
Joining the Messerschmitts, which fought countless dogfights with Spitfires and Hurricanes, will be historic planes from the Italian Air Force, which flew alongside their German allies.
It is the first time the German and Italian Air Forces have been asked to take part in the International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford, Gloucester - the biggest annual celebration of military aircraft in the world.
Organisers visited the German and Italian Embassies in London earlier this month to invite their air forces to join the displays in the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
Tim Prince, the Tattoo's director, said it was important to recognise the bravery and honour the fallen of both sides of the conflict. "The Air Tattoo is renowned the world over for being a place where nations come together in a spirit of friendship to share their passion for aviation" he said.
"The German military has been a great supporter of the Air Tattoo for many years and we're delighted it will be taking part in this important anniversary."
He said the Tattoo would celebrate not just the roles of the principal players in the Battle of Britain - the Germans, British and Italians - but all 17 countries that were involved.
The invitation to air forces that were once Britain's sworn enemies was welcomed by war veterans and military associations.
Pat Beard, a former RAF officer from Tewkesbury, Gloucester said enough time has passed for old hostilities to be forgotten and the historic event celebrated by all concerned.
"It is a war long gone and we have all joined hands now to work together" he said.
"Everyone who fought in the war was an airman regardless of which side he was on and I think there was a feeling of great comradeship between them all."
A spokesman for the Cheltenham branch of the British Legion said "We see nothing wrong with the Germans and Italians coming to the Tattoo to take part in this commemoration at all. We are all friends now. There is no way this should be a problem for anyone."
Robert Lee, national spokesman for the Royal British Legion said "The fact is that today the Germans and Italians are our allies in Afghanistan. We are now in the middle of a Poppy Appeal here and our theme is about supporting the wounded and bereaved as a result of what is happening in the Afghan conflict."
Dubbed Britain's finest hour by Winston Churchill, the Battle of Britain in 1940 was the prelude to Hitler's planned Operation Sea Lion, the invasion of Britain. The Luftwaffe's failure to establish air superiority over the outnumbered RAF meant that plans for the invasion were shelved.
Lasting less than four months, it was the first major campaign fought entirely by air forces.
