Eighty-five years ago, a fierce aerial campaign changed the course of history.
From July 10 to October 31, 1940, the skies over Britain became the battleground for the first military campaign fought entirely by air forces.
The Battle of Britain saw the Royal Air Force (RAF), supported by allied aviators, including Australians, counter relentless Luftwaffe attacks aimed at paving the way for a German invasion.
Prime Minister Winston Churchill's iconic words continue to echo through time: "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few." They are a tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of those who defended Britain in its darkest hour.
On September 14 this year, that legacy was honoured at the Hobart Cenotaph, where representatives from former Allied and Axis nations joined Royal Australian Air Force personnel to lay wreaths in remembrance.
Among those remembered were more than 30 Australians who flew combat missions during the campaign, including 24 who lost their lives - 10 in air-to-air combat.
In his occasional address, National President of the Air Force Association Air Vice-Marshal Joe Iervasi reflected on the courage of 'the few' and the strategic foresight that underpinned Britain's defence.
'Those of us who choose to serve our country are not born with extra courage, extra strength or extra resilience. We find it within ourselves, and we find it in the stories of those who have served before us.'
He spoke of a philosophy of preservation, production and purpose: the withdrawal of RAF pilots from the Battle of France to conserve fighter strength, the prioritisation of aircraft manufacturing, and the vital reconnaissance and rescue patrols by RAAF 10 Squadron over the English Channel.
"The Battle of Britain was not won by heroism alone," Air Vice-Marshal Iervasi said.
"It was secured by an integrated system of radar, command, industrial output and logistics, all guided by foresight and unity of purpose.
"Among those few stood Australian aces, British factory workers, rescue crews on Channel waters, and pilots saved by silk, by sea, or by sheer determination."
At a formal dinner marking the anniversary, Head of Air Force Capability Air Vice-Marshal Nicholas Hogan spoke of the bravery of 'the few', the large and diverse team that supported them, and the parallels with today's modern Air Force.
"Pilots can't take to the sky without a tremendous team supporting them - and that's exactly what 'the few' had," Air Vice-Marshal Hogan said.
"During the Battle of Britain, their Air Domain Team, as our Chief of Air Force would call it, was a well-oiled machine.
"Those of us who choose to serve our country are not born with extra courage, extra strength or extra resilience. We find it within ourselves, and we find it in the stories of those who have served before us."
The commemorative weekend also included a remembrance service at St David's Cathedral on September 13, with ceremonial support from 29 Squadron (City of Hobart), the Air Force Band and Australian Air Force Cadets from Tasmania and Victoria.
C-17 Globemaster III flypasts and a static display of two Hawk 127 lead-in fighters showcased the RAAF's modern capabilities, linking past and present in solemn tribute.
