This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-33966632

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Battle of Britain: Flypast for 75th anniversary of 'Hardest Day' Battle of Britain: Flypast for 75th anniversary of 'Hardest Day'
(35 minutes later)
Aircraft including 18 Spitfires and six Hurricanes are flying over south-east England to mark 75 years since the Battle of Britain's "Hardest Day".Aircraft including 18 Spitfires and six Hurricanes are flying over south-east England to mark 75 years since the Battle of Britain's "Hardest Day".
The event will recall 18 August 1940, when Bromley's Biggin Hill and other South East military bases came under attack from the German Luftwaffe.The event will recall 18 August 1940, when Bromley's Biggin Hill and other South East military bases came under attack from the German Luftwaffe.
It became known as the "hardest day" as both sides recorded their greatest loss of aircraft during the battle.It became known as the "hardest day" as both sides recorded their greatest loss of aircraft during the battle.
The Battle of Britain lasted throughout the summer of 1940.The Battle of Britain lasted throughout the summer of 1940.
It was the first major campaign fought entirely in the air.It was the first major campaign fought entirely in the air.
BBC reporter Clark Ainsworth said: "What a sight. Watching those iconic World War Two aircraft take to the skies above Biggin Hill was something to behold.
"Spectators gasped as they then circled the airfield in formation."
Marking the 75th anniversary of the 'Hardest Day'
Live updates
The Luftwaffe flew 850 sorties, involving 2,200 aircrew, while the RAF resisted with 927 sorties, involving 600 aircrew. The RAF and German Air Force lost 136 aircraft in one day.The Luftwaffe flew 850 sorties, involving 2,200 aircrew, while the RAF resisted with 927 sorties, involving 600 aircrew. The RAF and German Air Force lost 136 aircraft in one day.
The special commemoration, staged from the former RAF airfield at Biggin Hill, now a commercial airport, honours the pilots, engineers, armourers, operations staff and ground crews who faced attack that day.
BBC iWonder - Why do we love the Spitfire?BBC iWonder - Why do we love the Spitfire?
The special commemoration, staged from the former RAF airfield at Biggin Hill, now a commercial airport, will honour the pilots, engineers, armourers, operations staff and ground crews who faced attack that day. It is being marked with three flight formations, which took off from the airport at 13:00 BST:
It is being marked with three flight formations which took off from the airport at 13:00 BST:
On 10 July, aircraft including Hurricanes and Typhoons took part in a flypast over Buckingham Palace as part of the 75th anniversary.On 10 July, aircraft including Hurricanes and Typhoons took part in a flypast over Buckingham Palace as part of the 75th anniversary.