Factual highlights for Autumn/Winter 2015/16

25 August 2015

Battle of Britain

TX: September 2015

Channel 4 is marking the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain with a feature-length documentary and special event capturing one of the most ambitious aviation celebrations ever seen in Britain – a flypast involving an estimated 40 Spitfires and Hurricanes, the most to come together in one place since WW2 .

The Battle of Britain was one of the pivotal moments in our nation’s history.  Thousands of brave British and Allied airmen inflicted a decisive defeat on the Luftwaffe - thwarting Hitler’s plan to invade Britain and changing the course of World War Two.  Presented by Dermot O’Leary, these programmes will celebrate this extraordinary achievement, as the last surviving veterans tell their remarkable stories and a very special tribute is paid to their legacy.

 

Battle of Britain: The Last of The Few (w/t)

Churchill famously called them ‘The Few'.  75 years on from the Battle of Britain, only a handful of these heroes are still with us.  This documentary explores the extraordinary human stories behind the Battle of Britain as fighter pilots, ground crew and even the plotters who worked in the ‘Ops Room’ give revealing accounts of their roles in the campaign.

In addition, pilot and former Royal Marine Arthur Williams (D-Day: As It Happens, The Plane That Saved Britain) will meet two wounded ex-Servicemen who are undertaking an extraordinary flying scholarship with Boultbee Flight Academy to be able to fly in a Spitfire as part of the flypast on 15th September.  The scholarship is supported by The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, through its Endeavour Fund, which helps wounded, injured and sick Service Personnel and Veterans using sport and adventurous challenge as a catalyst for recovery and rehabilitation.

 

Battle of Britain: Heroes Fly Again (wt)

On 15th September 2015, the 75th anniversary of Battle of Britain Day, an estimated 40 Spitfires and Hurricanes from across the UK, USA and Europe will come together at the Boultbee Flight Academy, the world’s only Spitfire Flying School to take part in an historic flypast over the South of England. With behind the scenes access to the build-up and exclusive aerial coverage of the flypast, this show will bring breathtaking coverage of this unique spectacle.

The event brings together more Spitfires and Hurricanes in one place than at any time since World War Two - all converging on Goodwood Aerodrome in West Sussex.  The roar of 40 Spitfires and Hurricanes starting their engines will transport the airfield back in time to the Battle of Britain, when it was known as RAF Westhampnett and home to two fighter squadrons that fought in the campaign.