Royal Air Force
Commonwealth & Allied Air Forces
1939 - 1945
Tribute
To All Men and Women of Great Britain
Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand
Rhodesia and South Africa.
Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Denmark,
France, Greece, The Netherlands.
Norway and Poland
The United States of America.
The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
& Those of Many Other Nations Who Served
In All Commands Of The Royal Air Force,
Commonwealth and Allied Air Forces
During the Second World War.
Their Courage Skill and Devotion to Duty
Was of the Highest Order
By Winning the Battle of Britain, the Men
And Women of Fighter and Other Commands
Saved This Country from Invasion in 1940.
"Never in the Field of Human Conflict Has So
Much Been Owed by So Many to So Few"
Churchill
Coastal Command Played a Vital Role In
Keeping the Sea Lanes Open.
The Commands in the Middle East, Africa and
The Far East Made Great Contributions
Towards Final Victory.
From the Outbreak of War the Bomber
Offensive Steadily Increased and After the
Formation of the Pathfinder Group in 1942
Very Severe Damage was Inflicted on the
Enemy by the Constant Night and Day
Operations
Carried Out By Bomber Command
And The United States Air Force.
Control of the Skies Over Europe in 1944
Was a Vital Factor to the Success of the
Normandy Landings. The Combined Efforts of
Tactical and Bomber Commands and
The United States Air Force then Spearheaded
The Allied Advance Across Europe.
The Inspired Leadership of Bennett, Dowding
Harris, Portal, Slessor and Tedder of the
Royal Air Force and Arnold, Eaker & Spaatz
Of the United States Air Force Paved the Way
To Victory in 1945.
"Now at Last the Bomber Commands have Won
The Air Battle of Europe Opening the Path
For Victory and Freedom for the Enslaved
Countries of Europe."
Churchill 1945.
Honour
107,000 Members of the Royal Air Force.
84,000 Members of the United States Air Force.
42,200 Members of the Soviet Air Force.
Who Made The Ultimate Sacrifice.
( bottom plaque )
They Flew By Day and Night
And Gave Their Lives to Keep Forever Bright
That Precious Light.
Freedom.
( small stone at the base )
In Memory Of
Those Who
Since 1945
Have Continued
The Fight
For Freedom
( large stone at the base )
Royal Air Force Command Losses
1939
— 1945
Ferry 209 · Maintenance 662 · Tech Training 1,345 · West Africa 461 · Transport 1,147 · Fighter 7,436 · WAAF 464 · 2nd Tactical 2,828 · Coastal 9,145 · Balloon 499 · Flying Training 3,863 · Middle East 13,225 · Army CoOp 634 · SEAC 6,182 · Bomber 58,378
Beneath This Monument are the Names of
Many Airmen & Women Whose Relatives
Wish Their Names to Remain in Perpetuity.
Here Also Rest the Ashes of
Air Vice Marshal D.C.T. Bennett, C.B., C.B.E., D.S.O.
Commander of the Pathfinder Force No. 8 Group, Bomber Command
1910 Requiescant In Pace 1986
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