During the early part of World War II the coastline of Britain was constantly under threat, particularly the busy shipping lanes of the North Sea. As well as carrying out bombing raids on strategic coastal targets and ports such as Luftflotte 5's attack on the northeast in August 1940, allied shipping was regularly attacked at sea as the Luftwaffe tried to disturb supplies.
The RAF played a vital part in protecting these supplies, escorting fishing fleets and shipping convoys, as well as long range patrols over the sea, seeking enemy activity and intercepting high altitude reconnaissance aircraft.
Here, flying over the Humber Estuary as the sun is setting, pilots of 610 Sqn return their MKII Spitfires to Leconfield after a convoy patrol late in 1940.

Signed by Group Captain Desmond Sheen, Wing Commander 'Paddy' Barthropp, Squadron Leader Neville Duke, Group Captain Tom Dalton-Morgan,
Squadron Leader Basil 'Stapme' Stapleton, Air Commodore Peter Brothers,
Squadron Leader A. C. Leigh and Wing Commander H M Stephen.