Spitfire squadron to roar over Doncaster, Chesterfield, Gainsborough and Yorkshire today for WW2 tribute

A Spitfire in action in the skies.
A Spitfire in action in the skies.

Scores of Spitfires are set to roar over Doncaster and a host of other towns and villages across Yorkshire, the Midlands and Lincolnshire today for a dramatic World War Two tribute.

Aircraft from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will be joined by private Spitfire owners to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Unternehmen Adlerangriff, the German operation to destroy the Royal Air Force in World War II.

Up to 13 Spitfires will launch from Humberside Airport and split into three sections of aircraft to fly over as many villages, towns and cities as fuel will allow, enabling the public to see and hear these wonderful historic aircraft and remember the sacrifices made by the young men of Fighter Command 75 years ago.

The destruction of the Royal Air Force would have cleared the way for the invasion of Britain. The German attacks on 13th August 1940 inflicted significant damage and casualties on the ground but they did not make a significant impression of Fighter Command’s ability to defend British air space.

The engagements resulting from Adlertag became known as the Battle of Britain.

Timings for the significant event are:

Section 1:

Humber Bridge 1603

York 1612

Linton on Ouse 1615

Thirsk 1618

Leeming 1621

Teeside 1625

Whitby 1635

Scarborough 1640

Bridlington 1644

Hull 1651

Section 2:

Grimsby 1612

Mablethorpe 1618

Skegness 1621

Boston 1627

Grantham 1634

Newark 1638

Gainsborough 1645

Scunthorpe 1649

Section 3:

Lincoln 1611

Nottingham 1621

Derby 1625

Chesterfield 1631

Doncaster 1638

Scunthorpe 1644

All locations and times are subject to weather and operational changes.

* Send your pictures and videos of the flypast to editorial@doncastertoday.co.uk or post them on our Facebook page