On BBC1 recently there was a discussion concerning whether the RAF or the Royal Navy was the greatest deterrent to Hitler's invasion of Great Britain in 1940.
I served aboard destroyers in the Royal Nave during the period and our losses due to air attacks were considerable.
At the end of 1941, after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbour we tied up astern of HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse in Cape Town harbour. Two weeks later they were sunk by Japanese air attacks, as they had no air cover.
We escorted the Pedestal convoy to Malta and for three days we were subjected to intense air attacks, again with insufficient air cover.
Without air cover during the Second World War the Royal Navy, in my opinion, would have been sunk. Do not underestimate the huge contribution the RAF played to prevent the invasion of the German forces during 1940.
R Broadfield Address supplied
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article