'Battle of Britain' Commemorative Gold Strike

The Battle of Britain resounds through the years as one of the defining moments in British history. Following months of fighting in the skies over Southern England in what became known as the 'Spitfire Summer', the decisive moment of the battle came 70 years ago on Sunday 15th September 1940. The Luftwaffe undertook a massive assault, which they thought would shatter British resistance and open the path for a successful invasion of Britain.

It is estimated that more than 1,000 enemy aircraft carried out the attack that day, their prime target was London. But the British command was ready and waiting and RAF fighter planes and anti-aircraft guns delivered a smashing blow to the German air offensive. At the height of the battle Churchill asked Air Vice-Chief Marshal Keith Park 'How many reserves do we have?' 'There are none' came Park's reply - every British plane was in the sky. It was a day of heavy fighting that ended in victory for the RAF. Two dayslater Hitler cancelled 'Operation Sealion'' and indefinitely postponed the invasion of Britain.