Historic Site Recognizes Extraordinary WWII Efort

The RAF is touting a major new memorial consisting of a life-sized replica Spitfire commemorating the production of ‘Secret Spitfires’ and the thousands of workers who built them. It will be unveiled in Salisbury, UK, on 9 July. The finished memorial will be located adjacent to a wartime Spitfire factory site at Salisbury Rugby Club, Castle Road and stand over 20ft tall.

The Secret Spitfire Memorial was the brainchild of Chris Whalley, former President of the Salisbury Rugby Club. After organising a showing of the film, The Secret Spitfires, at the Club to raise money for new changing rooms, Chris struck up a friendship with the film’s director and producer, Ethem Cetintas, and decided that Salisbury needed a lasting tribute to the extraordinary people of the city who contributed so much to the war effort.

The structure itself will be an imposing spectacle which proudly celebrates and commemorates the efforts of all those involved in the construction of Salisbury’s secret Spitfires. Designed to replicate a Spitfire in full flight, the memorial will be an iconic addition to the City’s thriving cultural and historical scene, demonstrating Salisbury’s gratitude and respect.

A memorial for the production of ‘Secret Spitfires’ and the workers who built them will be unveiled in Salisbury on 9 July -- This coincides with the placing of 11 plaques, marking the locations where Spitfires were secretly constructed in response to the bombing of the main Supermarine factory in Southampton.

The iconic Spitfire is the most famous British fighter aircraft in history. They were critical in defeating the German Luftwaffe air attacks during the Battle of Britain in 1940, soon becoming a symbol of freedom. More Spitfires were built than any other British combat aircraft before or since World War Two and by July 1940, RAF Fighter Command had nineteen Spitfire MkI squadrons available.

Thousands of workers consisting largely of unqualified young girls and women built over 2500 Spitfires in Salisbury, Trowbridge and Reading (nearly 10% of the total built during WWII). They had to hide their activity from the enemy, working from within sheds, workshops, garages, bus depots and a hotel.

FMI: www.secretspitfiresmemorial.org.uk