Crediting 'the luck of the Irish,' Paddy Hemingway said he survived being shot down twice during the battle and twice more during combat in North Africa and Italy.
The last known Battle of Britain pilot, Group Captain John ‘Paddy’ Hemingway DFC celebrated his 105th birthday at the British Embassy in Dublin Ireland. [Courtesy: Royal Air Force]
Key Takeaways:
Retired Royal Air Force group captain John Allman “Paddy” Hemingway, the last known surviving fighter pilot from the 1940 Battle of Britain, recently celebrated his 105th birthday.
Hemingway flew Hawker Hurricanes during the pivotal Battle of Britain, surviving being shot down twice in that campaign and twice more in other theaters, contributing to the RAF's defeat of the Luftwaffe.
His extensive RAF career included serving as an air controller during the Normandy invasion and ultimately retiring in 1969 with the honorary rank of group captain.
On Wednesday, the last known remaining fighter pilot from the 1940 Battle of Britain celebrated his 105th birthday.
Retired Royal Air Force (RAF) group captain John Allman “Paddy” Hemingway was born in Ireland in 1919. In summer 1940, Hemingway turned 21 while flying Hawker Hurricanes with the RAF’s No. 85 Squadron, led by then squadron commander Peter Townsend.
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