What happened during the Battle of Britain - and how the 80th anniversary is being commemorated in the UK

The event was the first battle in history that was fought entirely in the air (Photo: Shutterstock)

The 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain will be marked with a variety of tributes and commemorations across the UK on Tuesday 15 September.

Celebrations are to take place despite limitations caused by the current coronavirus crisis, including special exhibitions and previously unseen historic Second World War rooms at the Imperial War Museum.

What happened in the Battle of Britain?

The Battle of Britain was a major military air campaign fought in the skies over the UK between July and Octover 1940 against Nazi Germany’s air force, the Luftwaffe.

The event was the first battle in history that was fought entirely in the air and 15 September saw the British Royal Air Force (RAF) gain a decisive victory over the Luftwaffe in what was Nazi Germany’s largest daylight attack.

Some 1,120 Luftwaffe aircraft were sent to attack London, but were repelled by just 630 RAF fighters. Two days after the attack, Hitler postponed his plans to invade Britain.

More than 500 RAF aviators and over 300 RAF ground personnel lost their lives during the battle, with the airmen later becoming known as “The Few” following a tribute paid by then Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who said: “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few”.

Only one member of The Few, John Hemingway, is still alive today, aged 101.

How is the anniversary being commemorated?

Various tributes and commemorations will take place on Tuesday (15 September) in honour of the historic event, although events will be limited this year due to coronavirus restrictions.

Here are some of the main events being held:

14 September

New exhibition at the Imperial War Museum Duxford

An aircraft hangar has been transformed into part of an exhibition at Imperial War Museum Duxford, The Ops Block: Battle of Britain, on the site of a Sector Station which was active during the conflict.

The museum highlights Duxford specific stories through interactive displays, and will even allow visitors to get up close to Second World War aircraft, including a German Messerschmitt Bf 109.