Channel Dash Memorial Service - Saturday, 12th February in Ramsgate.

The 12th February is the anniversary of a little known but very daring military operation in the Second World War. The ‘Channel Dash’, otherwise known as Operation Fuller, was a battle involving the Fleet Air Arm, The Royal Air Force and Coastal Artillery. The aim was to prevent German warships escaping from the French port of Brest, where they were being constantly bombed.

On the very snowy morning of 12th February 1942, 18 young men of 825 Naval Air Squadron, Fleet Air Arm flew 6 fabric-covered bi-planes (Fairey Swordfish Torpedo Bombers) from RAF Manson in Kent to try to attack the German fleet, which included the Battleships Schanhorst and Gneisenau, the Cruiser Prince Eugen, six destroyers, 40 Flak Ships and 200 German fighter aircraft. 825 Squadron had lost their aircraft when the Aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal was sunk.

Ten Spitfires from 72 Squadron RAF managed to link up with the Swordfish for the battle All of the Fairey Swordfish planes were destroyed and only 5 of the air crew were rescued alive from the sea. The Channel Dash Association was set up to ensure that the memory, sacrifice and extreme bravery of the 18 men of the Fleet Air Arm who died that day were never forgotten.

A Memorial Monument to the Channel Dash was unveiled on 12th February 2010 (see photo)

This year’s Channel Dash Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, 12th February 2011 in Ramsgate.

For further information, please see http://www.channeldash.org/or contact the President of the Association, Peter Nixon - president@channeldash.org