Battle of Britain 75th anniversary marked at Kent memorial

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  • From the section Kent
Flowers at the base of statue during the memorial day
Wreaths were laid at the base of the National Memorial to "the few"
A memorial day marking the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain has been held at the National Memorial to the Few in Kent.
Seven former Battle of Britain airmen, now aged in their 90s, were guests of honour at the event in Capel le Ferne.
Prince Michael of Kent, patron of the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust, took the royal salute.
The day's poor weather meant that flypasts featuring two Spitfires and two Hurricanes had to be cancelled.
Trust chairman Richard Hunting said it was a privilege to be in the presence of the remaining members of the "few". 
He said the Battle of Britain "was arguably the most important battle fought by this country in the whole of the last century".
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Battle of Britain veterans, now aged in their 90s, attended the memorial day
The Battle of Britain, during the summer of 1940, was the German air force's attempt to gain air superiority over the RAF.
It was the first major battle in history fought entirely in the air. 
Germany's ultimate failure was one of the turning points of World War Two and prevented it from invading Britain.
On Friday, aircraft including Hurricanes and Spitfires flew over Buckingham Palace to mark the anniversary, watched by the Queen and senior members of the Royal Family. 
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Prince Michael of Kent, patron of the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust, met the veterans
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Flowers were left at the Memorial Wall, which lists the names of all those who took part in the Battle of Britain

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