Battle of Britain 77th Anniversary - 15th September

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers who have taken the Oath, worn the uniform & even loitered in harm's way occasionally.
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Alisoncc
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Battle of Britain 77th Anniversary - 15th September

#1 Post by Alisoncc » Fri Sep 15, 2017 2:37 am

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

At my school at our daily morning service on this day, the school captain and senior prefects would read out the names of ex-scholars who had participated in the Battle with emphasis on those who had died. It was a sobering thought for us all. So the above has been with me for over sixty years. Not easily forgotten.

Alison
Rev Mother Bene Gesserit.

Sent from my PDP11/05 running RSX-11D via an ASR33 (TTY)

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Re: Battle of Britain 77th Anniversary - 15th September

#2 Post by Alisoncc » Fri Sep 15, 2017 2:43 am

THREE CHEERS FOR THE MAN ON THE GROUND
By Flight Mechanic E. Sykes (1942)

Wherever you walk, you will hear people talk,
of the men who go up in the air,
of the daredevil way, they go into the fray;
Facing death without turning a hair.

They'll raise a big cheer and buy lots of beer,
for the pilot who's come home on leave,
but they don't give a jigger, for a flight mech or rigger,
with nothing but "props" on his sleeve.

They just say "Nice day" - and then turn away,
with never a mention of praise,
for the poor bloody erk, who does all the work,
and just orders his own beer - and pays !

They've never been told, of the hours in the cold,
that he spends sealing Germany 's fate,
how he works on a kite, till all hours of the night,
and then turns up next morning at eight.

He gets no rake-off, for working 'til take-off,
or helping the aircrew prepare,
but whenever there's trouble - it's "Quick at the double",
the man on the ground must be there.

Each flying crew, could confirm it as true,
that they know what this man's really worth,
they know that he's part of the RAF's heart,
even though he stays close to the earth.

He doesn't want glory, but please tell his story,
spread a little of his fame around,
He's just one of a few - so give him his due,
and "Three Cheers for the man on the ground

Just an afterthought

Alison
Rev Mother Bene Gesserit.

Sent from my PDP11/05 running RSX-11D via an ASR33 (TTY)


Capetonian

Re: Battle of Britain 77th Anniversary - 15th September

#4 Post by Capetonian » Sat Aug 04, 2018 3:10 pm

On ITV4 at 1520Z

FILM: Battle of Britain (1969)

In 1940, the Luftwaffe launches a campaign of aerial attacks against Britain to gain control of the skies ahead of a planned land invasion. Under the leadership of Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding, the RAF mounts a determined defence over the summer and autumn, despite being heavily outnumbered and forced to match inexperienced pilots against German veterans. Second World War drama, starring Laurence Olivier, Michael Caine, Robert Shaw, Christopher Plummer, Harry Andrews, Trevor Howard and Curt Jurgens.

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Re: Battle of Britain 77th Anniversary - 15th September

#5 Post by admin » Wed Sep 15, 2021 11:21 am

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
You can keep all your ANZAC and Remembrance Days, BoB is the day I choose to remember.

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Re: Battle of Britain 77th Anniversary - 15th September

#6 Post by Undried Plum » Wed Sep 15, 2021 2:18 pm

Capetonian wrote:
Sat Aug 04, 2018 3:10 pm
Second World War drama, starring Laurence Olivier, Michael Caine, Robert Shaw, Christopher Plummer, Harry Andrews, Trevor Howard and Curt Jurgens.
And Susannah York.

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Re: Battle of Britain 77th Anniversary - 15th September

#7 Post by G-CPTN » Wed Sep 15, 2021 2:27 pm

Undried Plum wrote:
Wed Sep 15, 2021 2:18 pm

And Susannah York.
RIP (January 15th 2011)

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Re: Battle of Britain 77th Anniversary - 15th September

#8 Post by k3k3 » Wed Sep 15, 2021 6:53 pm

Now the 81st.

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Re: Battle of Britain 77th Anniversary - 15th September

#9 Post by Karearea » Wed Sep 15, 2021 8:32 pm

... Near the snow, near the sun, in the highest fields,
See how these names are fêted by the waving grass
And by the streamers of white cloud
And whispers of wind in the listening sky.
The names of those who in their lives fought for life,
Who wore at their hearts the fire’s centre.
Born of the sun, they travelled a short while toward the sun
And left the vivid air signed with their honour.


from The Truly Great, by Stephen Spender.

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