mjefferies@thekmgroup.co.uk

BRAVE pilots who flew from Thanet during World War II in an ill-fated attempt to defeat three heavily-defended German battleships are to be honoured by a new memorial in Ramsgate.

The 'Channel Dash' commemorative stone will take pride of place outside the Maritime Museum at Ramsgate Harbour.

It will remember the 18 valiant aircrew of 825 Naval Air Squadron, who took off from RAF Manston in 1942 as a German flotilla, flanked by more than 250 Luftwaffe aircraft, destroyers, E-boats and minesweepers, was spotted in the English Channel.

Cllr Vid Todd, a member of Ramsgate Town Council, which supported a planning appliction for the commemorative stone, said: "The attack was just before my time and it can be all too easy to forget our history. Anything that recalls our local heritage is important and should be welcomed."

Six Fairey Swordfish biplanes took off from Manston at 12.30pm on February 12 and circled above Ramsgate as they waited for five Spitfire squadrons that had been promised as escorts.

When only 10 back-up planes arrived and with time running short, Lt Cdr Eugene Esmonde dived to 50 feet above sea level and led his men out across the Channel.

All six Fairey Swordfish aircraft were destroyed and only five of the aircrew survived. For his part in heading the courageous attack, Lt Cdr Esmonde was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross.

The granite memorial to 825 Naval Air Squadron will be around 1.5 metres tall and feature an engraving of the medal, as well as the Fairey Swordfish aircraft and the squadron insignia.

An information board will be mounted on the front, with the names of the aircrew inscribed on the base.