-TBC-AeroAce Posted August 18, 2015 Posted August 18, 2015 On this day 75 years ago the most desicive and bloodiest day of the battle of Britain took place. The RAF lost 68 planes and the Luftwaffe lost 69 planes, so not exactly a victory in terms of numbers but it showed the Germans that the RAF was not under enough attrition and could still match the Luftwaffe, ultimately signaling the beginning of the end of the BOB. I'd like to honor and remember all the brave pilots from the many nations on all sides that partook in such a horrible conflict. Spitfires and Huricains will be flying over many parts of the UK today in comemeration of this day.
Blooddawn1942 Posted August 18, 2015 Posted August 18, 2015 What a pity that we won't see any one o niner above germany today. I guess rememberence is reserved for the victor.
Feathered_IV Posted August 18, 2015 Posted August 18, 2015 Thanks to all those from so many nations that flew that day to defend against the forces Adolf Hitler. If things had turned out a little differently, the rememberance might well have been commemorated by 109s over Germany today. Although I'm sure a lot of us would not be around to see it.
6./ZG26_Emil Posted August 18, 2015 Posted August 18, 2015 What a pity that we won't see any one o niner above germany today. I guess rememberence is reserved for the victor. I'd look at it more celebrating survival rather than a victory the same as we celebrate the Dunkirk evacuations. I agree though there should be remembrance for the millions of German servicemen that were killed and wounded.
-TBC-AeroAce Posted August 18, 2015 Author Posted August 18, 2015 Just to say I started this to honor pilots from both sides and to demonstrate the futility of the Bob i.e the deciding day of the battle was a draw in terms of numbers. Please no comments honoring specifically one side as that is very disrespectful
DD_Arthur Posted August 18, 2015 Posted August 18, 2015 Please no comments honoring specifically one side as that is very disrespectful Er....please explain why? I have no respect whatsoever for any member of the German armed forces who served in WW2. They were the willing tools of an evil, monstrous regime that set the German nation on a course of brutal conquest, enslavement and genocide. I'm glad we shot 'em down in droves. I'd particularly like to pay tribute to the small number of Czecho and Polish pilots who made extraordinary journeys across occupied Europe to reach Ebgland and fight with the RAF for our freedom and for theirs. S! 1
EAF19_Marsh Posted August 18, 2015 Posted August 18, 2015 Just to say I started this to honor pilots from both sides and to demonstrate the futility of the Bob i.e the deciding day of the battle was a draw in terms of numbers. Please no comments honoring specifically one side as that is very disrespectful But, fortunately for the future of Western Europe, not a draw over 4 months Bit difficult to 'honour' Luftwaffe pilots, how ever much many of them might have been perfectly decent chaps.
Bearcat Posted August 18, 2015 Posted August 18, 2015 Er....please explain why? I have no respect whatsoever for any member of the German armed forces who served in WW2. They were the willing tools of an evil, monstrous regime that set the German nation on a course of brutal conquest, enslavement and genocide. I'm glad we shot 'em down in droves. I'd particularly like to pay tribute to the small number of Czecho and Polish pilots who made extraordinary journeys across occupied Europe to reach Ebgland and fight with the RAF for our freedom and for theirs. S! While I have no sympathy for the Nazi regime.. That first statement is a very broad generalization that you should keep to yourself. Not all German fighters were Nazi supporters..or even supporters of the war. In many cases they were not even willing participants but were forced to join the military. It is easy to sit back with the hindsight of 75+ years and criticize them all with a broad brush but it is not the thing to do here. Once the bullets start flying and the bodies start dropping there are no sides other than your side and the other side of your guns. The rightness or the wrongness of the leaders who started whatever war it is takes a backseat to the survival of the individual fighting men and their comrades in arms. This thread needs to get off the morality track and get back on the history of the original topic track .. I totally agree with the second part.. In fact I think I may try to find Dark Blue World on Amazon Prime today.. 1
TWC_Ace Posted August 18, 2015 Posted August 18, 2015 hmm political discussions....My grandfateher died in nazi concentration camp but that doesnt mean Im washed brain so Im sure there were many germans in the german army that werent fond of nazi regime. That is even more true for the luftwaffe and submariners. However, honoring BOB allied pilots we are honoring THEIR sacrifice for our freedom. So it should stay as that.
Feathered_IV Posted August 18, 2015 Posted August 18, 2015 The subject of morality and complicity in Germany is a very interesting one to me. How individuals behaved then. How much they really knew and the choices they made. How physical courage and moral courage could be so divorced from one another. How they reinvented themselves afterwards and how they carried what they did and saw and went along with. How others who come after have revered them and dream of emulating them. It's a fascinating subject. 1
-TBC-AeroAce Posted August 18, 2015 Author Posted August 18, 2015 Close this thread I did not intend for this kinda chat
Bearcat Posted August 18, 2015 Posted August 18, 2015 Close this thread I did not intend for this kinda chat Done.
Feathered_IV Posted August 18, 2015 Posted August 18, 2015 It's been a while since I've seen a discussion stay on topic. I hope it stays open. Anyhow on an unexpected tangent, its inspired me to read up on Sophie Scholl.
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