Battle of Britain

"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few."

These immortal words were spoken in tribute by Winston Churchill to the Fighter Command of the Royal Air Force in the conclusion of Battle of Britain. His words captures so truthfully the essence and feeling of the people of England whose freedom was defended by several squadron of planes and the indomitable pilots who flew them. They are The Few; the men who risk their lives so that others may live in freedom. Hundreds lose their life in the battle, and none shirked their responsibilities.

A young British pilot, A.V.W. Rosewarne, wrote to his parents shortly before he was killed in 1940: 'Today we are faced with the greatest organized challenge to Cristianity abd civilization that the world has ever seen, and I count myself lucky and honoured to be the right age and fully trained to throw my full weight into the scale. You must not grieve for me, for if you really believe in religion and all that it entails, that would be hypocrasy. I have no fear of death; only a queer elation...

'The Universe is so vast and ageless that the life of one man can only be justified by the measure of his sacrifice. We are sent into this world to acquire a personality and a character...that can never be taken away from us.

'Thus at my early age my earthly mission is already fulfilled. But you will live in peace and freedom and I shall have contributed to that.'

It brought tears to my eyes. A life extinguished in defence of freedom. Salut!