Last surviving RAF fighter ace from the Battle of Britain dies at 105

[TU Curmudgeon]

​

March 18 (UPI) -- The last surviving Royal Air Force fighter pilot who fought in the Battle of Britain in 1940 during World War II has died. He was 105 years old.

Announcing the death of John "Paddy" Hemmingway on X on Monday night, the RAF simply said it had lost the last of "the few" and thanked him for his sacrifices more than 80 years ago, signing off with the service's official motto, "Through Adversity to the Stars."

[ASIDE - Please note that Gr. Capt. Hemmingway has FEWER decorations/awards that the average USAF member has after completing three years of service.]

 

[Sweden]

View attachment 67561279​

March 18 (UPI) -- The last surviving Royal Air Force fighter pilot who fought in the Battle of Britain in 1940 during World War II has died. He was 105 years old.

Announcing the death of John "Paddy" Hemmingway on X on Monday night, the RAF simply said it had lost the last of "the few" and thanked him for his sacrifices more than 80 years ago, signing off with the service's official motto, "Through Adversity to the Stars."

[ASIDE - Please note that Gr. Capt. Hemmingway has FEWER decorations/awards that the average USAF member has after completing three years of service.]

As Churchill said it was my country's finest hour. How odd to recall that the battle was fought during my life time.

 

[Integrityrespec]

View attachment 67561279​

March 18 (UPI) -- The last surviving Royal Air Force fighter pilot who fought in the Battle of Britain in 1940 during World War II has died. He was 105 years old.

Announcing the death of John "Paddy" Hemmingway on X on Monday night, the RAF simply said it had lost the last of "the few" and thanked him for his sacrifices more than 80 years ago, signing off with the service's official motto, "Through Adversity to the Stars."

[ASIDE - Please note that Gr. Capt. Hemmingway has FEWER decorations/awards that the average USAF member has after completing three years of service.]

Brave man from a brave group of men.

 

[Rich2018]

RIP

The last of "The Few".

 

[Pyrite]

THE CANADIANS — In the Battle of Britain — Vintage Wings of Canada

It’s Christmas Eve and though just early evening, the dim light of winter is long receded, replaced by the orange vapour darkness of an urban night. Outside my house a Canadian hibernal front descends

www.vintagewings.ca

Among the greats. Douglas Bader (fourth from right), the English flying legend, commanded 242 Canadian Squadron RAF. At the beginning of the war, the RCAF had not yet equipped and assembled squadrons for deployment in Europe. There were however many Canadians who were either in the RAF, or who were RCAF in the Royal Air Force. In order to show Canadians back home that their boys were fully engaged in the war, it was decided to create a special squadron (242) manned by Canadians already in the RAF. This squadron assembled some of the finest talent of the war—young fighter pilots from across the land, now seen fighting the Nazis as a cohesive unit. This photograph was taken at RAF Duxford in September of 1940. Left to right: Future Air Marshal Sir Dennis Crowley-Milling, KCB, CBE, DSO, DFC and Bar, AE (Wales), Flight Lieutenant Hugh Tamblyn, DFC (Watrous, Saskatchewan), Stan Turner, DSO, DFC, CD (Collingwood, Ontario), Sergeant Joseph Ernest Savill (on wing, British), Pilot Officer Norman Neil Campbell (St. Thomas, Ontario), Flying Officer Willie McKnight, DFC and Bar (Calgary, Alberta), Douglas Bader, Flight Lieutenant George Eric Ball, Pilot Officer Michael G. Homer and Flying Officer Marvin “Ben” Brown (Kincardine, Ontario). Within a year, McKnight, Tamblyn, Campbell, Homer and Brown would be dead. Bader would be shot down and captured and Ball would die in a flying accident having just survived the war. Photo: Imperial War Museum

 

[Sweden]

THE CANADIANS — In the Battle of Britain — Vintage Wings of Canada

It’s Christmas Eve and though just early evening, the dim light of winter is long receded, replaced by the orange vapour darkness of an urban night. Outside my house a Canadian hibernal front descends

www.vintagewings.ca

Among the greats. Douglas Bader (fourth from right), the English flying legend, commanded 242 Canadian Squadron RAF. At the beginning of the war, the RCAF had not yet equipped and assembled squadrons for deployment in Europe. There were however many Canadians who were either in the RAF, or who were RCAF in the Royal Air Force. In order to show Canadians back home that their boys were fully engaged in the war, it was decided to create a special squadron (242) manned by Canadians already in the RAF. This squadron assembled some of the finest talent of the war—young fighter pilots from across the land, now seen fighting the Nazis as a cohesive unit. This photograph was taken at RAF Duxford in September of 1940. Left to right: Future Air Marshal Sir Dennis Crowley-Milling, KCB, CBE, DSO, DFC and Bar, AE (Wales), Flight Lieutenant Hugh Tamblyn, DFC (Watrous, Saskatchewan), Stan Turner, DSO, DFC, CD (Collingwood, Ontario), Sergeant Joseph Ernest Savill (on wing, British), Pilot Officer Norman Neil Campbell (St. Thomas, Ontario), Flying Officer Willie McKnight, DFC and Bar (Calgary, Alberta), Douglas Bader, Flight Lieutenant George Eric Ball, Pilot Officer Michael G. Homer and Flying Officer Marvin “Ben” Brown (Kincardine, Ontario). Within a year, McKnight, Tamblyn, Campbell, Homer and Brown would be dead. Bader would be shot down and captured and Ball would die in a flying accident having just survived the war. Photo: Imperial War Museum

Canada was with us from the start. On the ground as well as in the air.

All I saw was glimpses of planes a few miles above my head. Except for one RAF plane that emergency landed in a field just behind we living at the time. The pilot was taken away in an ordinary civilian ambulance. It sticks in my mind that a man standing next to me said "There was an inch of blood on the floor of the cockpit". The pilot could have been one of a number of different nationalities.

 

[Rich2018]

Canada was with us from the start. On the ground as well as in the air.

All I saw was glimpses of planes a few miles above my head. Except for one RAF plane that emergency landed in a field just behind we living at the time. The pilot was taken away in an ordinary civilian ambulance. It sticks in my mind that a man standing next to me said "There was an inch of blood on the floor of the cockpit". The pilot could have been one of a number of different nationalities.

Pilots of many nationalities fought with the RAF, in the Battle of Britain.

 

[TU Curmudgeon]

Pilots of many nationalities fought with the RAF, in the Battle of Britain.

Including a few Americans who broke American law to do so.

 

[Rich2018]

Including a few Americans who broke American law to do so.

The USA has weird laws about fighting for other countries.

 

[TU Curmudgeon]

The USA has weird laws about fighting for other countries.

As long as you fought for the guys who were supposed to win, you are OK. (Unless, of course, you were a native of the country and you fought for the US when the US -lost- succeeded in achieving all of its primary goals and withdrew to allow a peaceful restoration of civil power - in which case you can simply suck rocks.)

 

[Rich2018]

As long as you fought for the guys who were supposed to win, you are OK. (Unless, of course, you were a native of the country and you fought for the US when the US -lost- succeeded in achieving all of its primary goals and withdrew to allow a peaceful restoration of civil power - in which case you can simply suck rocks.)

So why were US citizens who flew fought against Germany, in the Battle of Britain, breaking US law ?

 

[Felis Leo]

Rest in peace, good sir.

 

[Rich2018]

A battle, the likes of which, will never be seen again.

 

[Sweden]

A battle, the likes of which, will never be seen again.

That's true. Technology has altered nature of air warfare beyond recognition.

 

[Rich2018]

That's true. Technology has altered nature of air warfare beyond recognition.

Yes, just witness the current Russia-Ukrainian war. I seems fixed wing, manned, combat aircraft cannot venture within the range of anti-aircraft defense missiles.

 

[TU Curmudgeon]

So why were US citizens who flew fought against Germany, in the Battle of Britain, breaking US law ?

Because of "18 U.S. Code § 959 - Enlistment in foreign service" which says

(a) Whoever, within the United States, enlists or enters himself, or hires or retains another to enlist or enter himself, or to go beyond the jurisdiction of the United States with intent to be enlisted or entered in the service of any foreign prince, state, colony, district, or people as a soldier or as a marine or seaman on board any vessel of war, letter of marque, or privateer, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.​

Not only that but Section 349(a)(3) of the INA [8 U.S.C. 1481(a)(3)] means that such service COULD be taken to be a voluntary renunciation of American citizenship IF the service was in the armed forces of a state at war with the United States

 

[Rexedgar]

As Churchill said it was my country's finest hour. How odd to recall that the battle was fought during my life time.

Longevity!

 

[Rich2018]

Because of "18 U.S. Code § 959 - Enlistment in foreign service" which says

(a) Whoever, within the United States, enlists or enters himself, or hires or retains another to enlist or enter himself, or to go beyond the jurisdiction of the United States with intent to be enlisted or entered in the service of any foreign prince, state, colony, district, or people as a soldier or as a marine or seaman on board any vessel of war, letter of marque, or privateer, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.​

Not only that but Section 349(a)(3) of the INA [8 U.S.C. 1481(a)(3)] means that such service COULD be taken to be a voluntary renunciation of American citizenship IF the service was in the armed forces of a state at war with the United States

But "As long as you fought for the guys who were supposed to win, you are OK"

So the USA is somewhat discriminatory on which laws it applies to which of its people.

 

[TU Curmudgeon]

But "As long as you fought for the guys who were supposed to win, you are OK"

So the USA is somewhat discriminatory on which laws it applies to which of its people.

This surprises you? Why?

Ms Clinton uses a non-approved internet service for something that might (but for which no evidence exists did) have some relationship to national security AND the contents were never disclosed to anyone (except by the Republicans) - and it's horrendous to the point where she should be locked up until execution (nothing except a "show trial" with the verdict being determined in advance being required).

SEVERAL members of Mr Trump's cabinet use a non-approved internet service for something that DID have a DIRECT relationship to national security AND provided the contents to an active member of the public media immediately upon the contents being created - and it's a minor faux pas that should be totally ignored.

 

[Rich2018]

This surprises you? Why?

The USA passes laws on its people that the UK does not - such as making it illegal for US citizens to even travel to some countries like Iran, North Korea and Cuba
So no, it does not surprise me

The UK does not ban it's citizens from anywhere in the world, much less fighting for other countries (unless of course the UK is at war with that country).

 

[TU Curmudgeon]

The USA passes laws on its people that the UK does not - such as making it illegal for US citizens to even travel to some countries like Iran, North Korea and Cuba
So no, it does not surprise me

The UK does not ban it's citizens from anywhere in the world, much less fighting for other countries (unless of course the UK is at war with that country).

The US also "passes laws" that "make it illegal" for people in other countries (even people who are not American citizens) to do things that "it is legal" for Americans to do.

As an example of that (and just the latest one) Mr Trump is going to impose crushing economic sanctions on any country in the world that purchases Argentinian oil, with one exception - the United States of America.

Can you imagine the UK reaction if the Prime Minister took over the management of the British Museum and ordered it purged of all "unBritish" thoughts and/or of all "unapproved" theories? Mr Trump is going to try to purge the Smithsonian Museum ("America's Attic") of everything that doesn't accord with the theory that white, christian, heterosexual, American, males were the only ones who contributed to humankind since 04 JUL 1776 and to ensure that American schools don't teach anything that contradicts that theory. Anyone who objects or points out discrepencies is going to be hounded for committing "thought crimes". If that doesn't smack of how MinTru dealt with "history" and how "Big Brother" dealt with those who did not hew to the currently operative, officially approved, government authorized, *T*R*U*T*H* (of the day), I don't know what does.

 

[Helix]

Rest in peace.

 

[Rich2018]

The US also "passes laws" that "make it illegal" for people in other countries (even people who are not American citizens) to do things that "it is legal" for Americans to do.

While not in the USA ?

As an example of that (and just the latest one) Mr Trump is going to impose crushing economic sanctions on any country in the world that purchases Argentinian oil, with one exception - the United States of America.

That has nothing to do with legality under US law.

Can you imagine the UK reaction if the Prime Minister took over the management of the British Museum and ordered it purged of all "unBritish" thoughts and/or of all "unapproved" theories?

Wouldn't happen

Yet many Americans are convinced they live in the "land of the free" and have more freedom than other Western democracies

I've even had posters on here call the UK a "police state" because of it's strict gun control laws.

 

[TU Curmudgeon]

While not in the USA ?

Yep.

Check the "child abuse" statutes.

That has nothing to do with legality under US law.

Of course not, US law is whatever Mr Trump says it is on any given day.

Wouldn't happen

Of course not, that is why I asked "Can you imagine what would happen IF ..."

Yet many Americans are convinced they live in the "land of the free" and have more freedom than other Western democracies

They aren't "convinced" they are 100% totally inculcated in that belief. It helps to keep the peasants quiet if they think that they aren't peasants and have someone "lower than themselves" to hate.

I've even had posters on here call the UK a "police state" because of it's strict gun control laws.

Indeed, and those are the types of people who simply don't know what a "police state" is. One of the major symptoms of a "police state" is being totally afraid NOT to do ANYTHING that a police officer tells you to do REGARDLESS of whether or not the police officer has any legal justification for telling you to do it. Another manor symptom of a "police state" is when you find the most egregious behaviour of police officers being forgiven whenever the police officer says (in effect) "I was onlyt doing my duty and following orders.".

 

[Rich2018]

Yep.

Check the "child abuse" statutes.

I'm not sure about that, but I guess that if say a US Army officer flew to Russia and sold military secrets to the Russians, that officer would be breaking US law.

Of course not, US law is whatever Mr Trump says it is on any given day.

Not according to the courts.

They aren't "convinced" they are 100% totally inculcated in that belief. It helps to keep the peasants quiet if they think that they aren't peasants and have someone "lower than themselves" to hate.

Deluded is the term I'd use. Ever seen this:



I love that clip.

Indeed, and those are the types of people who simply don't know what a "police state" is. One of the major symptoms of a "police state" is being totally afraid NOT to do ANYTHING that a police officer tells you to do REGARDLESS of whether or not the police officer has any legal justification for telling you to do it. Another manor symptom of a "police state" is when you find the most egregious behaviour of police officers being forgiven whenever the police officer says (in effect) "I was onlyt doing my duty and following orders.".

Too them a "police state" is a state which doesn't let its people have just about any gun they want.