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TAKE OFF AT HAWKINGE BATTLE OF BRITAIN MUSEUM

Memories of the summer of 1940, when Kent was the front line county as Britain stood alone against Hitler, will be revived by the launch of a new CD, Drive the Battle of Britain at the Kent Battle of Britain Museum, Aerodrome Road, Hawkinge on Monday (6 June).

The CD, which can be played in your car, guides you along an evocative trail of Battle of Britain sites for 64 kilometres across Shepway using interviews with pilots, ground crew, WAAFs and civilians, as well as Churchill’s speeches, original news clips, music and information on the sites.

Guests at the launch will include representatives from Kent County Council, Shepway District Council and Acoustiguide who together produced the CD as part of an Historic Fortifications Network project supported by the European Union Interreg programme. Speakers will include KCC Cabinet Member Richard King, Shepway Cabinet Member Carole Walters and Acoustiguide producer Alan Hall. There will be opportunities to photograph them with Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft. World War Two veterans have also been invited.

The first 1,000 CDs are available free from the Battle of Britain Memorial at Capel-le-Ferne, the Kent Battle of Britain Museum, Brenzett Aeronautical Museum and other outlets in the area.

KCC Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport Richard King, Chairman of the Kent Tourism Council, said: “The Battle of Britain was such a crucial time in Kent and Britain’s history. It is important that we do not forget the sacrifice made by 544 Fighter Command aircrew who gave their lives. This new CD is an excellent way for residents and visitors to find out about the conflict and see some of the places where it happened.�