It was a misty day on the white cliffs of Dover and set the perfect atmosphere to photograph these iconic aircraft that defended this country in it's most desperate time of need when Britain stood alone against the all conquering army of the third reich.

Anyone who has experienced war knows it is better to not fight a war unless you absolutely have to.

The historic parallels with what is going on in Ukraine right now is obviously on many peoples minds. Whatever the propaganda machines from both sides pump out.

The fact remains that Putin (Russia) is the aggressor in this case.

Below is the Supermarine Spitfire Mk 1 which was under powered and out manevoured by the enemy aircraft at the beginning of the war but by the end of the war it was virtually unbeatable.

Supermarine Spitfire Mk 1

Below is the Hawker Hurricane Mk 1 which is often seen as the lesser aircraft in this duo but was in many ways a superior aircraft and shot down more ememy aircraft than the Spitfire. The construction method on the Hurricane made it easier and faster to repair which meant it could be back in action fast. Both aircraft had the Merlin engine.

Hawker Hurricane Mk 1

What were these two aircraft protecting? Freedom.
The Iconic White cliffs of Dover were seen by refugees fleeing the war as a place of safety and security. Seeing those white cliffs must have been a tremedous source of relief for those running for their lives.

It really pisses me off when a minority of very loud people complain about refugees coming to England.

Nobody leaves their home without a damn good reason and having bombs and rockets dropped on you daily is reason enough to try and escape the carnage.

White Cliffs of Dover

Dover castle has been an icon and stronghold since the 11th Century and is considered the 'key to England'. Take Dover and you take England.

It has seen many battles and was used during the second world war as a command and control centre.
The cliffs below are riddled with tunnel complexes housing gun emplacements and bombing shelters.

Dover Castle

As I was taking my walk along the clifftops. Out over the sea I was lucky enough to see a Spitfire flying by. I got this shot with my 300mm lens. It was miles away but what a great sight to see.

Spitfire Over Dover

Whatever the history revisionists want to say about Winston Churchill. He was the right man at the right time and became an icon of his age. He rallied the nation and led from the front with no compromise.

Today we have Boris!

Winston Churchill War Leader

Churchill had been in a war and his early record was not great.
His judgement in his youth was questionable but then again whose isn't? He did have the gift of the gab when it mattered.
Churchills quotes are now legendary. One of which is often forgotten. "Jaw Jaw before War War"
The quote below is about the RAF pilots of the Battle of Britain.

The RAF had many aircrews who were refugees from all over Europe. From France, Poland and in addition many Americans, Canadians and Commonwealth volunteers.

Churchills Famous Quote

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

I'll leave you with this thought. We have not had a europe wide conflict for so many years primarily because we were working together to built a united states of europe.

An idea that was thought up by the Americans after the second world war. The idea was simple but effective.

If these countries can work to remove borders to trade and movement of people and have closer economic ties.

Then the intergrated nature of such an arrangement would reduce the chances of war. Brexit ended this arrangement.

Unfortunately the warbirds are flying again.

Three Planes in the Mist of Time

My entry for #wednesdaywalk by @tattoodjay

If you would like to know more about using a 300mm telephoto zoom lens take a look at these two short videos