A service commemorating the Battle of Britain was held at the Sebastopol Cenotaph on Sunday.
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Royal Australian Air Force Association Ballarat secretary Tom Jobling said the service commemorated the battle which ran from July 10 – October 31, 1940. The air battle was the largest operation fought by the Royal Air Force and allied services against the German air force.
Mr Jobling said battle led Adolf Hitler to withdraw Operation Sea Lion.
“It was the largest single operation of the period and the Germans really did come within an inch of winning,” Mr Jobling said.
The operation involved the entire RAF and allied services, including 32 Australian RAF members. In the battle 14 Australians died. While none of the slain pilots were Ballarat men, Mr Jobling said Ballarat had a strong and proud air force history across many wars. This is one of the reasons Ballarat is the only Victorian regional town or city to have a RAAF association. Any one who wants to join should contact Mr Jobling on 5333 1653.
