Today in History (15 Sept 1940): Battle of Britain Day - "So Much is Owed by So Many to So Few"

In WWII, during Operation Sea Lion, the Luftwaffe outnumbered the Royal Air Force (RAF) by as many as 3 to 1 in terms of fighter pilots. Heroic efforts of the RAF and its multinational airmen foiled any hope of a German air supremacy, thereby safeguarding Britain and helping to preserve Western freedom. Winston Churchill immortalized their valor when he declared: “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.” The term “The Few” refers to the approximately 2,937 British Commonwealth and Allied airmen who flew at least one operational sortie during the Battle of Britain (10/7 to 31/10, 1940). Sadly, around one-fifth of them were killed during the engagement. 15 September, now known as Battle of Britain Day, marks the date when the Luftwaffe launched its largest daylight raid, only to be met with fierce resistance by Fighter Command and honours "THE FEW". Rest in peace "The Few!"