85 Years On - Battle of Britain Tribute
Veterans, serving Air Force personnel and families of “The Few” gathered in Hobart on 12-14 September 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.
This year marks 85 years since the Battle of Britain changed the course of history. From 10 July to 31 October 1940, the skies over Britain became a fierce battleground for the first military campaign fought entirely by air forces. More than 30 Australians flew combat operations during the campaign, 10 of whom were killed in air-to-air combat.
The weekend’s events included a Remembrance Service at St David’s Cathedral, a wreath-laying ceremony at the Hobart Cenotaph and a formal dining-in night marking the anniversary where Head of Air Force Capability AVM Nicholas Hogan CSC gave an address and a toast to ‘The Few’.
AVM Hogan spoke of the bravery of 'the few', the large and diverse team that supported them, and the parallels with today’s modern Air Force.
“Pilots can’t take to the sky without a tremendous team supporting them – and that’s exactly what 'the few' had,” AVM Hogan said.
The weekend culminated in an occasional address by Air Force Association National President, AVM Joe Iervasi AM CSC at the Hobart Cenotaph and a RAAF C-17A Globemaster III flypast.
In his address, AVM Joe Iervasi reflected on the courage of 'The Few' and the strategic foresight that underpinned Britain’s defence.
“The Battle of Britain was not won by heroism alone,” AVM Iervasi said. “It was secured by an integrated system of radar, command, industrial output and logistics, all guided by foresight and unity of purpose.”
“Among those few stood Australian aces, British factory workers, rescue crews on Channel waters, and pilots saved by silk, by sea, or by sheer determination.”
Australia’s role shone through 32 pilots in Fighter Command, 14 of whom perished. No.10 Squadron RAAF also conducted vital air-sea rescues with Sunderland flying boats, aiding 322 of 537 ditched aircrew to return to duty swiftly.
The commemorative weekend also included a remembrance service at St David’s Cathedral on September 13, with ceremonial support from 29 Squadron (City of Hobart), the Air Force Band and Australian Air Force Cadets from Tasmania and Victoria.
(Story information courtesy Department of Defence)
Above: Members of the Australian Defence Force, RAAF Association, guests and representatives from Allied and Axis powers prepare for the wreath laying ceremony at the cenotaph in Hobart (source: Department of Defence).
Above: Air Force Association National President, AVM Joe Iervasi AM CSC delivers his occasional address as a RAAF C-17A Globemaster III approaches for its flypast (source: AFA National).
Above: Attending the formal dining-in night marking the 80th anniversary, L-R: AFA Victoria Vice President, Daryll Topp with his wife Gillian, AFA Victoria Board member John Delia and Rhonda Delia, Norma and Clive Robartson. (source: John Delia)