THE public will get the chance to look back on a pivotal moment of British history today when at least three Spitfires fly over the region to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Eagle Attack.

Planes from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will be joined by private Spitfire owners to mark the first day of Unternehmen Adlerangriff, the German operation to destroy the Royal Air Force in World War II.

Up to 13 Spitfires will launch from Humberside Airport and split into three sections of aircraft to fly over as many villages, towns and cities as fuel will allow.

Experts say the destruction of the Royal Air Force would have cleared the way for the invasion of Britain. The German attacks on August 13, 1940 inflicted significant damage and casualties on the ground but they did not make a significant impression of Fighter Command’s ability to defend British air space.

The engagements resulting from Adlertag became known as the Battle of Britain.

The estimated timings are:

Section 1: Humber Bridge 1603 York 1612 Linton on Ouse 1615 Thirsk 1618 Leeming 1621 Teesside 1625 Whitby 1635 Scarborough 1640 Bridlington 1644 Hull 1651

Section 2: Grimsby 1612 Mablethorpe 1618 Skegness 1621 Boston 1627 Grantham 1634 Newark 1638 Gainsborough 1645 Scunthorpe 1649

Section 3: Lincoln 1611 Nottingham 1621 Derby 1625 Chesterfield 1631 Doncaster 1638 Scunthorpe 1644