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Polish pilots came with a fearsome reputation
As the Battle of Britain wore on, the critical shortage of trained pilots became more and more apparent and In July 1940, the RAF announced it would form two Polish fighter squadrons.
Hardest Day Challenge: The Queen’s Colour Squadron pull 28-tonne BAe 146 aircraft 1km
The Queen’s Colour Squadron (QCS) pulled a BAe 146 aircraft to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. The 25-man team, exclusively comprised of personnel from QCS, undertook the challenge of pulling the 28-tonne aircraft 1km along the runway at RAF Northolt, raising more than £1,000 for the Fund.
Peenemünde raid – 77 years on
Seventy-seven years ago one of the lesser known but perhaps most important Bomber Command raids of the Second World War took place. The raid on Peenemünde, credited with saving thousands of lives, was to strike at the heart of Nazi research into the destructive V weapons.
The unsurpassed gallantry of 302 and 303 Squadron
The film Hurricane, which tells the tale of the bravery of the Polish Fighter Squadrons, was released in the UK in September 2018. Back then, inspired by the movie, we took a look at how the gallantry of these young men proved invaluable during the Second World War.
The end of war and the start of a lifetime of love: VJ Day for one RAF veteran
Delays in repairs left RAF veteran Arthur Northfield strip washing over a sink before the Fund stepped in to provide a grant to replace his boiler.
The Polish ace pilot who took the fight to Germany
By the end of the Battle of Britain the Poles had developed a fearsome reputation in combat, with 303 Squadron claiming the highest number of victories despite only joining the battle halfway through. We must never forget the incredible sacrifice those men made to protect our skies, men like 303 Squadron Commander Jan Zumbach.
Take the mic! Former Red Arrows Red 10 launches Blades’ Commentary Competition
The RAF Benevolent Fund has collaborated with the Blades Aerobatic Team to launch an exciting online competition. Fronted by Blade 3 Mike Ling, former Red Arrows Red 10, the team are searching for the next display commentator extraordinaire.
The squadrons that took part in the Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain is remembered as an extremely important air campaign fought over southern England in the summer and autumn of 1940. It was initiated by Adolf Hitler as part of his plans to gain air supremacy and invade Great Britain.
The important role the ground crew played in the Battle of Britain
The Late Battle of Britain veteran Stan Hartill worked as a member of the ground crew on the early Mark II Spitfires.
'Operation Leg' – a pilot unlike any other
Douglas Bader was a Battle of Britain pilot unlike any other. Medically discharged against his will in 1932, the outbreak of the war was an opportunity for Bader to re-join the RAF and take back to the skies.
