The Battle of Britain took place from 10th July 1940 to 31th October 1940. It was an attempt from Hitler and his leadership team to force Britain to agree to a negotiated peace settlement. On the 15th September, RAF Fighter Command claimed what proved to be a decisive victory over the Nazis when two massive waves of German attacks were fought off which involved 60 German planes and 26 RAF planes being shot down. It is for this reason that the day we are encouraged to celebrate or acknowledge the Battle of Britain is the 15th September. I am very grateful to all the men and women who took part in the Battle of Britain and for the impact of their enormous activity. Although it is understandably called the Battle of Britain, the people involved came from a significant number of other nations and in particular from Poland. Although they flew in our planes, they gave their lives to help determine how the second world war would end.