The Great Escape and the Murder of Fifty Recaptured Men
On 24 March 1944, seventy-six prisoners escaped from Stalag Luft III, but the murder of fifty recaptured men gives the Great Escape its lasting weight.
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Vampire Altitude Record Set in the RAF’s Early Jet Age
On 23 March 1948, Group Captain J. Cunningham set a world altitude record in a de Havilland Vampire, highlighting Britain’s early jet-age progress.
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Battle of Berlin Ends with Bomber Command’s March Raid
On 22 March 1944, Lancaster and Halifax bombers joined a major Berlin raid often seen as the end of Bomber Command’s Battle of Berlin.
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Operation Telic Begins with Major RAF Commitment in Iraq
On 21 March 2003, Operation Telic began with a major RAF commitment, combining precision strike, coalition sorties and vast tanker support in Iraq.
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Operation Northern and Southern Watch Come to an End
On 20 March 2003, Northern and Southern Watch ended, closing years of coalition air policing over Iraq just before offensive action began.
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Grand Slams on Arnsberg Target German Transport Links
On 19 March 1945, Bomber Command used Grand Slam bombs against Arnsberg’s transport links, targeting German movement in the war’s final weeks.
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RAF Supports the Anguilla Airlift in a 1969 Crisis
On 18 March 1969, the RAF helped airlift 300 troops to Anguilla, showing the speed and reach of British air mobility in crisis.
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John Paddy Hemingway, Last Battle of Britain Pilot
On 17 March 2025, John “Paddy” Hemingway died at 105, marking the passing of the last surviving Battle of Britain pilot and a living link to 1940.
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Luftwaffe Raid on Scapa Flow Brings Air War to Britain
On 16 March 1940, German aircraft raided Scapa Flow, bringing the air war to Britain’s principal naval anchorage in the Orkneys.
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First Apache Delivered to the British Army Air Corps
On 15 March 2000, the first Westland-built WAH-64 Apache entered British service, marking a major step in Army Air Corps helicopter capability.
