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Spitfire! The hero of Dunkirk


Celebrity movie critic “Manny The Movie Guy” came to the Palm Springs Air Museum to video his promo for the new Warner Brothers motion picture Dunkirk. It was obvious he would use the type of aircraft as his backdrop that was so important in this tragic, but yet so very heroic event of World War II. The aircraft is the Spitfire manufactured by Supermarine Aviation Works which first flew the airplane in 1936. It entered service in 1938 as a single seat fighter for the British RAF (Royal Air Force).

By May 26, 1940 the German Army had pushed the British, French and Belgian troops to the beaches of the French port of Dunkirk. These 400,000 troops were entirely surrounded by an adversary of 800,000 and would become easy targets for the German dive bombers and fighters. With their backs to the English Channel, the situation was desperate. Yet almost within sight was escape and the safety of the White Cliffs of Dover.

Then began what is one of the most amazing stories of battle and bravery. British Naval ships and over 800 civilian boats from simple pleasure craft to fishing vessels commenced the arduous and dangerous task of sailing from the small ports of England to the beaches of Dunkirk under submarine and air attack. The plan was to rescue a few at a time, to as many at a time as possible, and continue across the channel as many times as necessary to save the troops faced with capture and death. Not only were lives at stake, but the protection of England itself, now faced with the real threat of invasion.

Under constant air attack, came but one defense, the Supermarine Spitfire. Designed as a short range, high performance interceptor, it would fly to a maximum of 370 mph with a combat range of 470 miles. It’s armament was eight Browning .303 caliber machine guns in the wings. Over and over again, the Spitfires would engage the German Luftwaffe dive bombers and fighters attacking and strafing the men in the open on the beaches, and the rescue ships. Many Spitfires would be shot down and many were lost as they ran out of fuel engaging the enemy to the very last moment.

The Battle of Dunkirk and evacuation lasted through June 4 of that year. Sadly approximately 68,000 Allied troops were killed, wounded and captured. Six naval destroyers and 200 marine vessels sank to the bottom of the ocean. However the heroism of the British civilians and the Allied Forces rescued over 338,000. It is estimated that the British lost between 135 - 177 aircraft and the Germans as many as 240 aircraft. The powerful and agile Spitfire flown by the dedicated RAF pilots emerged as a prominent hero of this amazing time in history.

Dunkirk, the movie by director Christopher Nolan, is a heart-pounding portrayal of the rescue, with real flying Spitfires and German aircraft. Having already seen the movie Manny The Movie Guy must have had a different feeling entirely when standing on the wing of an actual Spitfire. Personally, having now seen the movie, when I now walk past and stop and look at this Supermarine Spitfire, I certainly feel much differently too. See the movie and then go see the Spitfire at the Palm Springs Air Museum in person. You will come away with great respect for this airplane and what it represents.

Open Cockpit Dates

August 5: P-47 Thunderbolt August 12: F-100 Super Sabre August 19: AT-6 Texan August 26: F4U Corsair

All times: 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Palm Springs Air Museum 745 N. Gene Autry Trail 760-778-6262 www.palmspringsairmuseum.org

Check out Manny the Movie Guy (Manny Dela Rosa of KMIR News), and his review of Dunkirk, at: www.mannythemovieguy.com.

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