On the way home from the Sheffield Bright marketing half marathon (we supply a few children's attractions to the event, I don't actually compete in it), I was just nearing our Yorkshire base, when out of nowhere, at not much above tree level, a Lancaster bomber flanked in formation by a Spitfire and a Hurricane swept across the road. I've seen modern Tornado and Harrier fighters, and even Vulcan bombers just before they were retired, but none of them were as awe inspiring as this trio. Obviously they were the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, for the benefit of some of the younger readers that have received a modern politically correct education, the Battle Of Britain was a part of World War 2, an attempt by the Germans under the leadership of a certain Mr Hitler, to gain control of Europe (before the concept of the EU was thought of). By 1940 Germany had conquered most of Europe and Britain stood alone.

Before the invasion of Britain could commence, the Germans needed to gain air superiority so they launched an all out air attack on the UK. Between July and October of 1940 the vastly outnumbered british fighter pilots repeatedly repulsed the German attack, leading eventually to invasion plans being shelved, and Winston Churchills famous words;







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