A Personal Perspective on Broadstairs

Formation of a “Channel Dash Association”

On 12^th February 1942, led by Lt Commander Eugene Esmonde, VC, DSO, RN, 18 young aviators of the Royal Navy, who have since become known famously as the Channel Dash Heroes, took off from RAF Manston in six obsolete, fabric covered Fairey Swordfish biplanes, to attack the largest fleet of German warships ever assembled in WWII as they made a dash for safety through the Straights of Dover. Within twenty-five minutes of take off all the aircraft were destroyed by the enemy and only five crew members survived.

Because membership is dwindling due to age, on Sunday 10^th June following the 65^th Anniversary Lunch, Kent Fleet Air Arm Association, together with the Trustees of the Spitfire & Hurricane Memorial Museum, will launch the new Channel Dash Association to keep alive the memory of the brave young men of 825 Squadron. The event will take place at TGAviation Hangar at Kent International Airport, Manston. Tickets at £10 are available now from Ted Powell telephone 01227 273322.

The day will start at 11:15hrs when a WWII De Havilland Dominie will land at Manston and taxi to the TGAviation hangar where VIP passengers will disembark to join President and former WWII pilot, Peter George, with members of the Kent Fleet Air Arm Association and other organisations.

As Lunch begins, Channel Dash Hero and guest of honour Lt. Commander Edgar Lee, DSO, VRD, RNR, will address the three hundred guests to talk about his personal experience in the attack on the German fleet. He is the only, uninjured, living survivor of 825 Squadron who took part in the Channel Dash, formal code name Operation Fuller.

After lunch Lt. Commander Mike Abbey RN who will be flying to Manston in a Chipmunk will give a talk on the latest news from the Royal Navy Historic Flight. At 14:00hrs, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Brigadier Trevor Minter OBE, will formally launch the ‘Channel Dash Association’.

There will follow a ceremonial unveiling of plans to restore a Fairey Swordfish in 825 Squadron markings for pubic display at Manston. The event will be brought to a close by local teenage singer Kas, as the 1940’s “forces sweetheart” singing hit tunes from the period. All guests will receive a copy of the new book “CHANNEL DASH HEROES” by author Ted Powell. Members, men and women, of all veteran associations who wish to be part of the Channel Dash Association should telephone Ted Powell on 01227 273322.

Throughout the event, guests will have the opportunity to take part in a draw to win a flight in the DH Dominie which will follow the route taken by Lt Commander Esmonde and the Fairey Swordfish of 825 Squadron as they made their way to intercept the German Fleet in 1942.

President of the Fleet Air Arm Association Peter George said, “Our thanks go to Awards~for~All, the Lottery Agency, for a £10,000 grant to create the ‘Channel Dash Association’ and to produce an ongoing programme of events at Manston.

Members of the public with their friends and relatives may thrill to a doped-linen and wind-in-the-wires experience on Saturday 9^th and Sunday 10^th June - by taking off from Manston Airfield in a De Havilland Dominie, wartime military biplane, to follow the route taken by Lt. Commander Esmonde and the men of 825 Squadron 65 years ago and then do what was denied them - return safely to Manston. To book a seat now for just £55.00 telephone: CLASSIC FLIGHT 08703 304747

Media Contact: Ted Powell, Treasurer, Kent Fleet Air Arm Association Telephone: 01227 273322