Commemorative Ceremony on the 80th Anniversary of the Crash of Spitfire MH980 near Suhorje

The Park of Military History, in cooperation with the British Embassy in the Republic of Slovenia, organized a commemorative ceremony on Tuesday, 29 April 2025, to mark the anniversary of the crash of the Spitfire MH980 near the village of Suhorje in the Brkini Hills and the death of the aircraft’s pilot, Sergeant Edmund Ramsbotham of No. 249 Squadron of the Royal Air Force. This was one of the most renowned fighter squadrons of the Royal Air Force. It was established as early as August 1918 but gained fame during the Second World War, first in the Battle of Britain and later over Malta, Sicily, Italy, Albania, the Balkans, and, at the end of the war, over Slovenian territory. Sergeant Ramsbotham was the last casualty of this famous squadron in the Second World War.

By the end of April 1945, most of Europe had already been liberated from the Nazi yoke. However, in the hinterland of the northern Adriatic, the German 97th Army Corps continued to offer stubborn resistance. In support of the Yugoslav Army, British Royal Air Force fighters were pursuing German transports on roads and railways, significantly disrupting their supply lines and troop movements. On the morning of 29 April—exactly 80 years ago—Sergeant Ramsbotham took off in his Spitfire MH980 from the Canne airfield in Italy. He refueled at the Prkos airfield near Zadar and then flew on to Trieste in search of enemy units. On his return flight, he carried out a low-level attack on an enemy ammunition truck. During the attack, the aircraft was hit by the explosion of the truck and subsequently crashed near Suhorje. The villagers of Suhorje respectfully buried the body of the young English pilot in the local cemetery. Shortly after the war, British military authorities exhumed Ramsbotham’s remains and reinterred them at the military cemetery in Belgrade, where he still rests today.

Her Excellency Victoria Harrison, the United Kingdom’s Ambassador to Slovenia, British Defence Attaché Lieutenant Colonel Ewan Christian Noble Harris, and Squadron Leader Andrew J. Reid, Commander of the Boscombe Down Air Base, visited the Park of Military History ahead of the commemorative ceremony in Suhorje. During their visit, they were introduced to the museum’s successful development, with special emphasis placed on accessibility for vulnerable groups.

The visit of Her Excellency Victoria Harrison was particularly unique, as she is the first blind British ambassador ever posted abroad. In carrying out her duties, she is supported by her team and her guide dog, Otto. As part of the Park of Military History’s efforts to make the museum accessible to all, six 3D models of tanks, aircraft, and a submarine have been developed over the past two years. This enables blind and visually impaired visitors to understand better the scale and details of these large museum exhibits. The British Ambassador was especially impressed by these models.

The museum tour concluded with the “Showcase of the Month,” titled “Per ardua ad astra – An Exhibition of Royal Air Force Aircraft from the Second World War,” and a special display of scale models of ten British aircraft, created in cooperation with the Society Svet v malem (The World in Miniature).

The commemorative ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the crash of Sergeant Ramsbotham’s Spitfire MG980 in Suhorje was attended by the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Slovenia, Mr. Borut Sajovic, MSc, and Her Excellency Victoria Harrison, the United Kingdom’s Ambassador to Slovenia—both laid wreaths at the memorial dedicated to the fallen pilot. The event was also attended by Squadron Leader Andrew J. Reid, Commander of Boscombe Down Air Base, British Defence Attaché Lieutenant Colonel Ewan Christian Noble Harris, and Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Pivka, Ms. Majda Godina.

In his welcome address, the Director of the Park of Military History, Mr. Janko Boštjančič, MSc, emphasized that the inscription on the monument—erected by the Park on the 75th anniversary of the aircraft’s crash—states that the young Sergeant Ramsbotham died for a free Europe. “At that time, we believed that war in Europe was a matter for history books, monuments, and commemorative ceremonies such as this one. But already the following year, these comfortable illusions were shattered by Russia’s attack on Ukraine. We realized that peace, security, and democracy are not to be taken for granted, even in Europe—these are values that must be nurtured and fought for. Time and again, we are reminded of the significance of this inscription; the monument in Suhorje has gone beyond merely marking the crash site of one of the British aircraft lost over Slovenia during the Second World War. It has become a symbol of European values and the struggle to defend them.”

The deeply symbolic role of the monument was also highlighted in the ceremonial address by Her Excellency Victoria Harrison, the United Kingdom’s Ambassador to the Republic of Slovenia. “It is vitally important that we remember the victims—and the values that guided them. Remembering the past helps us to understand the present. Today, with war once again on European soil, this is all the more important.”

The Ambassador expressed her sincere gratitude to the Park of Military History and the villagers of Suhorje for their dignified commemoration of the fallen pilot and for their selfless efforts to ensure that the memory of his sacrifice is not forgotten. “This event is also a testament to friendship, partnership, and mutual support. Slovenia and the United Kingdom remain close partners, within NATO and on a bilateral level. The compassion shown by the villagers of Suhorje 80 years ago reminds us of the values that continue to form the foundation of our partnership and inspires confidence that the friendship and cooperation between Slovenia and the United Kingdom will continue to thrive and grow in the future.”

The Minister of Defence of the Republic of Slovenia, Mr. Borut Sajovic, MSc, emphasized the importance of alliance and the friendly relations between the Republic of Slovenia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in his address.

“Small nations, living at the crossroads of history, cannot defend themselves alone. What protects us most is a democratic world order, respect for borders, statehood, democratic principles, strong preparedness, and friends.”

Na slovesnosti, ki jo je Park vojaške zgodovine organiziral v sodelovanju z veleposlaništvom Združenega kraljestva Velike Britanije in Severne Irske v Sloveniji ter ob podpori Ministrstva za obrambo Republike Slovenije, je sodeloval trobilni kvintet Orkestra Slovenske vojske, vaščani Suhorja pa so poskrbeli za pogostitev.