Churchill’s ‘never have so many..’ iconic speech to highlight Battle of Britain’s 70th anniversary

LONDON - The 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain will be marked by the reading of former Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s famous “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few” speech that he delivered in Parliament on August 20, 1940, and by a fly-past of Spitfires, and Hurricanes.

The speech is considered a defining moment in the conflict and one of Churchill’s most emotive and stirring pronouncements,” the BBC reports.

“In this speech, Churchill epitomised his ability to capture in the most stirring way the spirit of a nation fighting for its existence, as Britain stood firm against the Nazi war machine,” Phil Reed, Director of Churchill War Rooms, said.

“Now, part of the general folklore of the battle, the speech is today considered a defining moment of the conflict and one of Churchill’s most emotive and stirring pronouncements,” he added.

The Battle of Britain began on July 10, 1940 and ended on October 31 of the same year, and despite the German advantage, the Luftwaffe (air force) was pushed back with the determination by the Royal Air Force (RAF).

Over 2,900 British, Commonwealth and Allied aircrew took part in the battle. One in three men who flew during the battle was killed or wounded, BBC reports.

The speech reading and fly-past over Whitehall would, reportedly be attended by battle veterans.

In addition to the fly-past on Friday, the Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster planes would also tour key Battle of Britain fighter bases across the south-east of England. (ANI)