16 July 2015
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Armourer
In the summer of 1940, Britain stood alone. The USA was yet to enter the war and within just a few months, Hitler’s armies had invaded much of Europe. But all was not lost as Britain still had hope in the shape of an elite band of fighter pilots whose bravery is celebrated in Royal Mail’s Battle of Britain issue
The Battle of Britain issue marks the 75th anniversary of aerial battle which was fought over the skies of southern England from July to October 1940, as British fighter pilots struggled to retain air supremacy against the threat of Hitler’s Operation Sea Lion which had put plans in place for an aerial and land invasion of Britain.
The six stamps feature photographic imagery from this period, showing some of the many aspects of the battle and the people involved, including pilots, ground crew, observers and Operations Room staff.
In using archive images, Royal Mail have brought a sense of history to the stamps, allowing us to appreciate the magnitude of the battle, and Britain’s heroic yet vulnerable position during the second summer of the war.
STAMP DETAILS
Battle of Britain
Issue date: 16 July, 2015
Design: The Team
Size: 41mm x 30mm
Printer: International Security Printers
Perforations: 14.5 x 14
1st - Pilots and Hurricanes
1st - Supermarine Spitfires
1st - Armourer
£1.33 - Auxiliary Territorial Service
£1.33 - Operations Room
£1.33 - Squadron 32
