The Battle of Britain

Seventy years on, brothers Colin and Ewan McGregor take viewers through the key moments of the Battle of Britain, when 'the few' of the RAF faced the might of the Nazi Luftwaffe.

As they fly historic planes, meet the veterans, explore the tactics and technology, Colin and Ewan discover the importance of the Battle and the surviving legacy of the 1940's campaign for the modern RAF.

RELATED LINKS

• BBC Archive: The Battle of Britain
• Wikipedia: History of the Royal Air Force (en.wikipedia.org)
• Wikipedia: History of the Luftwaffe (1933-1945) (en.wikipedia.org)
• Wikipedia: Ewan McGregor (en.wikipedia.org)
• BBC History: WW2 People’s War – Discover tales of true bravery within the RAF
• BBC Article: German Threat to Britain in World War Two

  CLIPS

  • BBC HISTORY

    

    Explore the key events of the Battle of Britain with clips from over 50 years of BBC television and radio programmes.

    BBC History: The Battle of Britain

    THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN SEASON

    

    This programme is part of a season marking the 70th anniversary of The Battle Of Britain across BBC One, BBC Two and BBC Four.

    Go to The Battle of Britain Season website

    PHOTO: PARACHUTE EWAN

    

    Ewan McGregor receives a parachute briefing from Air Marshall Cliff Spink.

    PHOTO: EWAN AND COLIN MCGREGOR

    

    Air Marshall Cliff Spink, Ewan and Colin by a Supermarine Spitfire, which was the only Allied fighter in production throughout the war.

    CREDITS

    Presenter

    Ewan McGregor

    Presenter

    Colin McGregor

    Director

    Ashley Gething

    Producer

    Claire Forsyth

    BROADCASTS

    1. Sun 19 Sep 2010
       20:30
       BBC One
    2. Sun 19 Sep 2010
       20:30
       BBC HD
    3. Mon 20 Sep 2010
       00:00
       BBC HD
    Ewan McGregor falls in love with the Hurricane(00.23)
  • Ewan McGregor gets a surprise from his brother Colin (03.08)
  • Colin McGregor starts Spitfire training 1940's style (01.14)

Prince William and Ewan McGregor Honour Battle of Britain

Honouring battle heroes

A Spitfire and a Hurricane flew above Westminster Abbey to commemorate one of the most pivotal battles in British military history.

Veterans from the decisive battle rubbed shoulders with royalty and senior politicians at a thanksgiving service in the Abbey.

Prince William, fresh from graduating as a search and rescue pilot, attended the mass with his father, the Prince of Wales, and the Duchess of Cornwall.

The ceremony celebrated the 70th anniversary of the pivotal Second World War battle in which Britain's pilots defeated the Nazi threat in the skies of southern England.

The Battle of Britain began as Hitler turned his attention across the Channel after defeating the French.

Sir Stephen Dalton, Chief of Air Staff, said winning the Battle of Britain was vital to the overall outcome of the war.

He said: “The importance of today is of course to recognise the veterans who are still here and all those who gave their lives to ensure that the Battle of Britain was won and the freedom of this country was assured.

“Unless we had control of the skies over Britain we could not build up the forces ready to liberate Europe later on.

“Of course that is entirely relevant today, without the freedom of the skies in Afghanistan it is well recognised that there would need to be 10 times the number of soldiers and marines on the ground to achieve the same effect.

“It is the aircraft and helicopters that allow our forces and our allies to prosecute the war project against the Taliban as effectively as we can.”

Addressing the congregation, which included film star Ewan McGregor, Chaplain in Chief Raymond Pentland said: “Seventy years ago a generation of young men, supported by many, took to the skies and their bravery and sacrifice won our freedom.

“Today we salute the few and give thanks for their bravery, sacrifice and our freedom.”

Battle of Britain veterans made their way in procession through the centre of the Abbey for the Act of Remembrance which formed the centre point of the service.

McGregor, whose brother Colin is in the RAF, read a prayer which said: “Let us pray for those members of the Royal Air Force, who through their vigilance and determination make it possible for planes to fly and defend these shores.

“For all mechanics and ground crew, for radar operators and engineers, members of the logistics corps, that inspired by the example of their forbears, they might continue to fulfil this vital service with skill and pride.”

A large crowd which had assembled outside the Abbey cheered as the historic planes flew overhead.

They were followed by several of the RAF's modern Typhoon fighter jets.

A FLY-past by Second World War fighter planes led 70th anniversary celebrations of the Battle of Britain today.

A Spitfire and a Hurricane flew above Westminster Abbey to commemorate one of the most pivotal battles in British military history.

Tribute ... Sir Stephen Dalton

Veterans from the decisive battle rubbed shoulders with royalty and senior politicians at a thanksgiving service in the Abbey.

Prince William, fresh from graduating as a search and rescue pilot, attended the mass with his father, the Prince of Wales, and the Duchess of Cornwall.

The ceremony celebrated the 70th anniversary of the pivotal Second World War battle in which Britain's pilots defeated the Nazi threat in the skies of southern England.

The Battle of Britain began as Hitler turned his attention across the Channel after defeating the French.

Sir Stephen Dalton, Chief of Air Staff, said winning the Battle of Britain was vital to the overall outcome of the war.

He said: "The importance of today is of course to recognise the veterans who are still here and all those who gave their lives to ensure that the Battle of Britain was won and the freedom of this country was assured.

Tributes ... Prince Charles and Camilla

"Unless we had control of the skies over Britain we could not build up the forces ready to liberate Europe later on.

"Of course that is entirely relevant today, without the freedom of the skies in Afghanistan it is well recognised that there would need to be 10 times the number of soldiers and marines on the ground to achieve the same effect.

"It is the aircraft and helicopters that allow our forces and our allies to prosecute the war project against the Taliban as effectively as we can."

Addressing the congregation, which included film star Ewan McGregor, Chaplain in Chief Raymond Pentland said: "Seventy years ago a generation of young men, supported by many, took to the skies and their bravery and sacrifice won our freedom.

"Today we salute the few and give thanks for their bravery, sacrifice and our freedom."

Battle of Britain veterans made their way in procession through the centre of the Abbey for the Act of Remembrance which formed the centre point of the service.

McGregor, who has a family member in the RAF, read a prayer which said: "Let us pray for those members of the Royal Air Force, who through their vigilance and determination make it possible for planes to fly and defend these shores.

"For all mechanics and ground crew, for radar operators and engineers, members of the logistics corps, that inspired by the example of their forbears, they might continue to fulfil this vital service with skill and pride."

A large crowd which had assembled outside the Abbey cheered as the historic planes flew overhead.

They were followed by several of the RAF's modern Typhoon fighter jets.