A Quiet Sunday in Odiham - 19/09/10?

On the 18th of October 1937 General Erhard Milch Chief of Staff of the Luftwaffe opened the newly refurbished RAF station at Odiham. Two years later we were at war. This was a station that they particularly liked and instructed that it was not to be targeted. In October 1940 during the height of the Battle of Britain a young German pilot jettisoned his bombs over Church street which also took out the area where the Palace Gate entrance is now with the loss of several lives. It is likely that he was aiming to dump them in George meadows, but perhaps that is a romantic thought.

The Battle of Britain raged over our green and pleasant land from the 10th of July until October 31st 1940 with losses on the German side of 2698 aircrew and 1887 aircraft, 544 aircrew and 1547 aircraft on the British side. This air battle had begun with 2550 German aircraft and 1963 British aircraft. Horrific statistics !

On this day we will return to those dark days of Autumn 1940 such as might have happened to keep the spirits up.

In conjunction with the RAF, Odiham Retained Fire Station, All Saints Church, Tamsin Wood as Vera Lynn, Lord Wandsworth College Big/ Swing Band, the Bell, volunteer Land Army Girls, Odiham Police Rural Beat and Odiham Interactive CIC and our wonderful residents.

Spifire Ale, Rabbit stew, cakes and sandwiches (with real spam) and lashings of lemonade will be readily available.

WARNING.

Towards the end of the event around 1800 - 1810 please be prepared for the noise, sounds and smells of a real incident.

The Battle of Britain Songs of Praise service to which you are cordially invited commences at 1830.

PLEASE...please...dress in clothes appropriate to the era, and bring folding chairs.

Photograph © Cathy Griffiths - please do not reproduce without permission.