3872 x 2592 px | 32,8 x 21,9 cm | 12,9 x 8,6 inches | 300dpi
Data acquisizione:
2 luglio 2011
Ubicazione:
Battle of Britain Memorial, Caple - le - Ferne, Folkestone, Kent, United Kingdom
Altre informazioni:
Maintained by the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust, the site at Capel-le-Ferne is dedicated to the bravery and the heroism of Churchill's "Few" who fought in the skies overhead to keep this country free from Hitler's invasion force. The memorial itself inspires quiet reflection on the bravery shown by the aircrew - fewer than 3, 000 men - who flew, fought and sometimes died in what was probably the most crucial victory achieved by this country in the whole of the 20th century. At the back of the site the Christopher Foxley-Norris Memorial Wall lists the names of all those who took part in the Battle, while a replica Spitfire and Hurricane stand nearby as a reminder of the machines they flew to victory. The site that was chosen at Capel le Ferne for a national memorial had played its part in both world wars. Airships were moored there during the 1914-18 conflict, and in 1941 the construction of a gun battery began. Much of the personnel accommodation was underground, including a "hospital" or large sick quarters. By the end of 1942, naval pattern 8-inch guns had been installed in sites 40 feet deep, protected by concrete walls that were six to eight feet thick. Legend has it that the first ranging shot from Capel-le-Ferne struck Dungeness. The Army left In around 1952. The original plan for the memorial was on a bigger scale than the visitor will see today. Many would argue that the final design, by Harry Gray of the Carving Workshop, Cambridge, is moving through its simplicity. At the time Harry Gray was approached, he had, by a remarkable coincidence, been thinking of carving a pilot but could not get the design right. One day Harry and his trainee took a rest and the pose adopted by his colleague provided Harry with inspiration. The seated airman looking out to sea was born, surrounded by the badges of the Allied squadrons and other units that took part in the Battle.
