London Wing Cadets mark 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
Eight lucky Cadets assisted the Royal Air Force in marking the anniversary of one of the most decisive campaigns in World War 2.
Cadets from across London Wing forming up outside Westminster Abbey.
Cadets from across London Wing attended Westminster Abbey on the 20th September to support the Royal Air Force. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the service was reduced in stature but not in spirit. The Prime Minister alongside senior Royal Air Force Officers including Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Mike Wigston CBE and Commandant Air Cadets, Air Commodore Tony Keeling OBE, were in attendance.
Reflecting on the day, WO Phil Wright, London Wing Warrant Officer, commented “What an honour it was for the Cadets to attend the service and have an active role. It was a highlight seeing the Cadets accompany service personnel in various roles throughout the service”.
2020 marked the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, a decisive battle fought entirely in the air. Battle of Britain Sunday commemorated a dramatic turning point in both the battle itself and the history of the Second World War. The Battle of Britain took place between 10th July and 31st October 1940. On 15th September 1940, the Luftwaffe launched a massive assault in the skies over Britain. It was a day of heavy fighting, and the Luftwaffe suffered significant casualties. It was a decisive defeat for the Luftwaffe, and since then this date has been celebrated as ‘Battle of Britain Day’.
544 RAF aircrew were killed during the Battle of Britain. 312 RAF personnel were killed on the ground, as RAF stations were often targets for Luftwaffe bombing. It was the first major battle fought entirely in the air, and the first military defeat suffered by Nazi Germany.
