Wales and the Battle of Britain
Touring across Wales, this exhibition highlights the nation’s role in the Battle of Britain
First opened in Cardiff in September 2021, the exhibition entitled Wales and the Britain of Britain will continue touring the nation until later this year. The display, which highlights the contribution of Welsh pilots in the Second World War, had been initially set to mark the battle’s 80th anniversary but was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Now the exhibition will run until October 2022, enabling visitors to discover the remarkable and often harrowing stories of the pilots who helped defend Britain during its darkest hour.
Featured will be tales like that of Sergeant Glyn Griffiths, who shot down seven German planes, as well as the bravery of Welsh squadron commanders such as Edward Graham, who led his flight of six fighters to attack more than 50 enemy aircraft. The initiative, created by
RAF Historian Dr Lynsey Shaw, Air Commodore Adrian Williams and coordinated by Squadron Leader John Dunn, also pays tribute to the Welshmen who lost their lives in the fighting.
Williams says of the continuing tour: “I am especially pleased that we have been able to link up with schools across Wales so that Welsh children are able to find out not just about one of the defining battles of the Second World War, but also about the extraordinary contribution by the Welsh men and women serving in RAF Fighter Command 80 years ago. Many more Welsh locations are expected to be added to the tour throughout 2022.”