The Battle of Britain, was the first historically decisive battle fought entirely in the air. Today commemorates a dramatic turning point in the Battle itself, and the history of World War II.

The German objective was to eliminate Britain's Royal Air Force, in the air and on the ground, to gain air superiority in preparation for invasion. Operating mostly from airfields in France and Belgium, the Luftwaffe (German Air Force) began the 1st heavy onslaught early in July 1940, against British shipping and the Channel ports. From 8-18 August 1940, they attacked coastal radar stations and fighter airfields. Then bad weather brought a 5 day break, after which they hit fighter airfields in the London area and increased night attacks on British cities.

7 September, the first daylight assault on London was made and marked London as the Luftwaffe’s primary target. The Blitz while bringing great loss of life and property, brought vital relief to the airfields, which had been under considerable pressure.

15 September, The Battle reached a climax when the Luftwaffe flew more than 1,000 sorties in 1 day, over England during daylight hours. It cost them 56 aircraft. It was, in Sir Winston Churchill’s words: “One of the decisive battles of the war.”

October, brought a decline of daylight attacks on London but an increase in the night bombing of ports and industrial centers.

The Luftwaffe had started with approximately 2,700 aircraft. Britain had fewer than 60 fighter squadrons — around 700 aircraft — and ground crew had to work sometimes 16 hours a day to keep aircraft in the air. Between 24 August-6 September England's Fighter Command lost 103 pilots plus 128 seriously wounded; 366 fighter aircraft had been destroyed or badly damaged.

Overall England lost over 1000 fighter aircraft during the Battle, the Luftwaffe nearly 1900. Through the efforts of fewer than 3000 aircrew from Britain, the Commonwealth, and its Allies, even some neutral nations, together with the men and women who supported them, the Nazi war machine suffered its first significant strategic defeat. In all 544 aircrew from R.A.F Fighter Command were killed during the Battle. The cost was grievous but the stakes immeasurably high.

New Zealand played a major part in that fight. Many of Britain's Ace Pilots were Kiwi's and Sir Keith Park, the man in charge of the strategic Air Defense of Britian was a Kiwi. He used the scarce resources of his fighter groups, to successfully deploy tactics that allowed timely interception of the enemy, he excelled in the most crucial role ever given to a Kiwi. A statue of him has been placed in London’s Waterloo Place (unveiled on Battle of Britain Day 2010).

“The gratitude of every home in our Island, in our Empire, and indeed throughout the world… goes out to the British airmen who, undaunted by odds, unwearied in their constant challenge and mortal danger, are turning the tide of world war by their prowess and by their devotion. Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.” - Winston Churchill (British Prime Minister)