Some of you won't actually care but...

[torchthebitch]

For those who do, the campaign for a permanent memorial to Sir Keith Park, who commanded the fighter defence of Britain in WWII, would appreciate your support.

http://www.sirkeithpark.com/

United in praise of The Defender of London
The heroism of Battle of Britain commander Sir Keith Park has gone unsung for too long, say Tony Benn and Lord Tebbit.

Tony Benn and Lord Tebbit



In a combined political career stretching to the best part of 100 years, the two of us have rarely agreed on anything. But on one issue we have discovered common ground – the need for a permanent memorial in London to Sir Keith Park, the Battle of Britain hero.

London is the city that he helped save and the Sir Keith Park Memorial Campaign is shortly to submit an application to the planning committee of Westminster City Council to erect a memorial statue to this great man. It is an application that we both fervently support because it would give long-overdue recognition to a man whose achievements have never been properly recognised in this country.

Even today, despite the efforts of the Sir Keith Park Memorial Campaign, a surprising number of people have never even heard of Park. But he played as important a role as the great Admiral Lord Nelson, who dominates Trafalgar Square, in securing the freedom that we enjoy today. As Hitler's army gathered in the Channel ports in 1940 in preparation for his planned invasion of Britain, the Luftwaffe was fighting a battle for control of the skies over southern England. Hitler needed to achieve air supremacy for the invasion to go ahead and the only thing preventing him was the stubborn Royal Air Force.

Had we lost the Battle of Britain, Hitler would have been able to knock our country out of the war, either through a direct invasion or prolonged aerial bombardment. The consequences would have been horrific both for Britain and the wider free world.

Sir Keith was the unsung hero of the Battle of Britain. Commanding 11 Group Fighter Command, he was responsible for the defence of London and south-east England and his squadrons bore the brunt of the fighting. His role in the battle led the then Marshal of the RAF, Lord Tedder, to say after the war: "If ever any one man won the Battle of Britain, he did. I don't believe it is recognised how much this one man, with his leadership, his calm judgment and his skill, did to save not only this country, but the world."

Despite this accolade, the only official memorials to Park in Britain are two roads bearing his name: one near Biggin Hill Airport, a wartime fighter base, and one at RAF Uxbridge, where he was based during the battle. His bunker, which Churchill often visited, still exists.

Unbelievably, the only other memorial, preserved more by luck than judgment, is a steam engine that bears his name and is currently being restored. What made Sir Keith such a remarkable leader was the combination of his strategic acumen with tactical skills in co-ordinating the battle –together with his ability to inspire those under his command. He made great use of Fighter Command's innovative radar system; whenever they came over to attack our country, Sir Keith had fighters available to meet them. Even the Germans nicknamed him "The Defender of London".

Sir Keith's unacknowledged achievements are reason enough why Westminster City Council should grant permission for a permanent memorial to this great man. But there's another reason. In less than two years' time – September 2010 – we will be celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. This may be the last time a significant number of surviving veterans will be able to take part in the commemorations. What better time to celebrate and honour Sir Keith?

What we would like to see are the proposals which Boris Johnson has lent his weight to: a statue of Sir Keith erected for six months on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square followed by a permanent memorial nearby in Waterloo Place.

The statue has the support of the Park family, countless RAF officers, veterans, members of the public, politicians and commentators not just in the UK but in New Zealand too, as well as elsewhere in the world.

The final decision now rests with Westminster City Council. Let's hope the council comes to the right conclusion.

Tony Benn and Lord Tebbit are British politicians from opposing sides of the political divide. Both served as pilots in the RAF

 

[semen4her]

Chalk me up as not caring.

 

[Johnny_Ray_Wilson]

Never heard of Sir Keith Park. My hat is off to the British in defense of England during WWII. I am positive there were many unsung heroes in that war. No doubt he deserved a memorial.

 

[KnightinArmor]

I've never heard of Sir Keith Park, but I well know how dark & uncertain those days were. I can only imagine the weight on his shoulders during the battle. My ancestor Richard Bulkeley was brought aboard the HMS Victory by Lord Nelson himself just prior to the battle of Trafalgar & my mothers cousin John Bulkeley worked for the OSS running his PT boats across the channel before D-Day gathering intel & delivering agents. He'd even killed a nazi guard with his bare hands on one such mission.. He spent 59 years in the navy & emerged the 5th highest decorated military vetern in U.S. history & his name is barely known. We can't forget the few who've given so much & asked for so little in return. Three cheers for a memorial honoring Sir Keith

 

[gt_bear]

No matter if we have heard of him or not, the man deserves a memorial. Britain in WWII was hell, and full of heroes. Britain itself in my mind is a hero, the would not yeild and would not go down. I salute every fallen Britainian and give a bow to their warrior spirit

 

[Rowdy_Y]

The B of B, probably one of the greatest battles ever.

 

[pabloback]

he should go on the fourth plinth in trafalgar square

instead of that stupid fucking piece of lego shite

 

[RoryN]

More honor by deeds. Less honor by memorials.

 

[Sean]

Tony Benn and St Norman the Bastard? That's a first.

 

[KRCummings]

I tried to care but it didn't work out.

 

[unregistered]

 

[KRCummings]

I watched Braveheart yesterday, again, if that shows care.

They make Robert the Bruce out to be a wimp of sorts when he really wasn't. He was a major badass.

 

[unregistered]

 

[KRCummings]

I know it's the movie etc, but, one actual betrayal and the last looked to be the same. Wallace's followers would have killed the Bruce within days. Still in my top 10 movies.

It's a great movie and I have no problem with most of the historical inaccuracies but the Robert the Bruce thing always sorta pissed me off.

 

[unregistered]

 

[KRCummings]

I'll have to read up on him.

Have you gone to see Gran Torino yet?

I haven't but am this weekend.

I saw Valkure (germ. sp.). Wasn't bad.

Haven't seen it yet but plan to. It looks pretty good and the reviews are good.

 

[unregistered]