“..You will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world. Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped, and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely. But this is the year 1944. Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940 and 1941. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeat in open battle man to man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our home fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned. The free men of the world are marching together to victory. I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory. Good luck, and let us all beseech the blessings of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking...”
For inspiration and thanks
http://fogginthecockpit.blogspot.com/
Images from the IWM and Roger Freeman collections are published here under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Licence. Thank you
Below; Spitfire PR Mark XI, PL775 ‘A’, of No. 541 Squadron RAF based at Benson, Oxfordshire, in flight.
As usual click on the images to view large
AIRCRAFT OF THE ROYAL AIR FORCE, 1939-1945: SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE.© IWM (CH 13493)
Bristol Beaufighter TF. Mk.X RAF North Coates Strike Wing Squadron 236, June 5 1944, D-Day -1
Sherman tanks move up past a crash-landed Spitfire for an attack on Tilly-sur-Seulles, 17 June 1944. (IWM Collection)
THE BRITISH ARMY IN THE NORMANDY CAMPAIGN 1944© IWM (B 5660)
Supermarine Spitfire Mark IX raises the dust as it taxies past a Hawker Typhoon Mark IB of No. 181 Squadron RAF, at an advanced landing ground - probably B2/Bazenville - in Normandy. The Spitfire is fitted with a 45-gallon 'slipper' fuel tank.
ROYAL AIR FORCE: 2ND TACTICAL AIR FORCE, 1943-1945.© IWM (CL 182)
Above; 359th FG P-51B/C Mustang with D-Day stripes at East Wretham Airfield.
Below; 56th FG 63rd Fighter Squadron. P-47D 42-26057 UN-W. This a/c was lost on 18 September 1944 when it crashed into North Sea due to Flak. Lt. Elwood D Raymond being killed in action.
