This is a private, non-commercial, non-monetised project. On September 15th 1940, all hell breaks loose in the skies over a Kent village. For a 19 year-old Hurricane pilot, this will be a day unlike any other.
(A remaster of the original with tweaks.)
If you like this film, see the first in the ‘Fields And Their Secrets’ series:
An ambitious Luftwaffe ace encounters a 19-year-old RAF recruit flying his first Spitfire sortie in the Battle of Britain over Kent. What could possibly go wrong… for the both of them?
And also:
Two Yorkshire lads go off to war, one in a Spitfire, one in a Hurricane.
And don’t miss the blockbuster in the whole series:
Hitler’s V Weapons, Summer 1944 – With Operation Overlord, the greatest air and seaborne invasion in history, now underway across the Channel in Normandy, the British people dare to imagine the war may soon be over. But for London and the Kent villages, a new nightmare is about to begin.
See also
RAF Staplehurst is a former WW2 Royal Air Force Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) situated in central Kent, England. The airfield is located approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) northeast of Staplehurst, about 38 miles SE of London.
Built during 1943 as an Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) for Operation Overlord (Normandy invasion), Staplehurst was used briefly by RAF fighter squadrons during August to October 1943 and then allocated to the US Ninth Air Force.
See also
What is the background to 1066, the most famous date in English history? If you think you know the whole story, this film will amaze you
40 Comments
Without doubt the best documentary about the Battle of Britain i have ever seen. Thank you.
A beautiful piece of historical detective work, delivered with the gravitas, dignity and deference that the characters from both sides deserved to be given. Thank you Phillip, and all your collaborators, for making this important record. The very pinnacle of YouTube offerings.
Fascinating series. Thank you for recording these historical events for all time. 👍
Quite a title
Another great historical documentary. Well done again!
As I watch this on my laptop Liverpool are playing Newcastle on the TV, crowds of people idolising young millionaires play a game for more millions! How can I describe the difference between these "Hero's" of today and the men of the RAF during the Battle of Britain? Words fail me! My Mum was in the NAAFI at Croydon and may have known these Gentlemen she was also made of the Right Stuff as were so many and we should all be grateful for that and put our Hero's into perspective today!
Great documentary, definitely worth the time and recommendation.
My late father was a B17 pilot, who completed 35 missions out of rural England. I can relate to this wonderful video. Many thanks.
So Mike's aircraft is still plowed under and I betcha the sheared off wing is lying in the forest duff.
Thank you for the video.
Very evocative music to compliment a beautifully made and fascinating video. I'm re-reading Patrick Bishop's book at the moment. What's the name(s) of the piece(s), if I may ask?
Wonderful Documentary, Love the way you elaborate the histories. I hope more documentaries will come. Great Job !
Did you had one about Von Werra in this channel? I can't find it any more in YouTube.
Greetings from Mexico
omg Phillip that was truly mezmorizing from start to finish ! what an amazing story , beautifully done , my god man i love your videos and your work , thank you so much for all the work you do and sharing it with us , Happy New Year and best wishes for 2024 …Shaun.
Great story, Thanks for sharing it. ❤
brilliant!
Please keep making these videos. You bring the men who fought back and tell their personal stories.
Aaaargh…no subtitles for the deafamungus…
Another fantastic production. Professional and meticulous research. Thanks for preserving this fascinating history and the memories of those brave men who fought and served.
Nicely done
Totaly addicted watching these videos amazing. Im 33 and love ww1 and ww2 amazing men and women , and sacrafices. Amazing amount of archives written aswel..
We want more videos and storys amazing.. keep up the great work.
Love the music aswell
Most definitely, The Greatest Generation
Again you documentary is above all before.
Your research to find the right answers second to none.
So wish you'd release on DVD so I can take to the gents at raaf bullcreek perth western Australia
lest we forget from rob beer in australia
Greetings from South Australia, What a fantastic documentary full of historic facts, the men and thier machines that turned the tide of war when thier country needed them, Phillip congratulations on your detailed research along with your colleagues to put the record straight of an account in history never to be forgotten. Thank you
Absolutely superb video, thanks enjoyed it immensely. I’ve just started doing this and yours set a very high bar. If you get chance would you take a look at my latest, Fly With Frank and Pam, Britains Secret Fighter Fuel. All the best, Frank.
Yet another superb piece of work. Couldn't agree more with jonboy9912, these men (boys really) were true heroes!
A superb video. Thank you.
Very well done, sir
Great work! I didn't want your video to end. Thank you.
Very good, what a pleasure to watch. The anolgy of young men getting a driver's licence, practicing a few days and then getting thrown into a Formula 1 race was poignant and so unfortunately true. Imagine a German rookie on his 2nd or 3rd mission getting into a fight with Douglas Bader or Robert Stanford-Tuck. Thanks for posting!
Wow what a fantastic video. Specially to Pilot Officer Cooper – Slipper for his heroism in the dark days of the summer of 1940. Thank you for your service
Excellent programme sir. There's so much dross on mainstream TV these days. Why the hell can't a documentary like this be given air time.
These men fought and died for freedoms that to day are being spat on and ignored by the goverments that they fought for.They must be turning in there graves at what is being taken.RIP .
Poignant rembrance of a history and people and a war that has shaped so much of the modern world today. A history that the current generation do not care to learn unfortunately.
During my 4 years of military service as an airborne soldier, I have had the great honor to serve with soldiers of former enemy’s. We build up a great friendship and it was no problem that our grandfathers had fought against their grandfathers. I feel very sad today when I have watched the video because young men and women lost their lives for nothing. No matter if someone may be the aggressor or the other is a defender. In my family we now have family members from 4 different countries and I am proud for everyone.
Excellent documentary! Thank you.
Thank you, well made documentary!
Simple, plain and extraordinary… So many heroes. Thank you so much for sharing such a story.