As the well equipped German war machine advanced through Western Europe in May 1940, many British squadrons based in Northern France were equipped with Hurricanes sporting wooden fixed props, no armour and no rear view mirrors.

During 253 squadron's four days in France, they lost their Flight Commander, lost a couple of pilots, and all the Hurricanes, except for two flown back to Kenley.

In July 1940, 253 squadron, and many other squadrons, were re-equipped with Rotol prop Hurricanes, armour plating, mirrors and a more stable gun platform to take on the might of the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain.

The Hurricane could not match the speed of the German ME109 fighter or the Spitfire, but the Hurricane's ability to take enormous amounts of punishment and its manoeuvrability gave the allied pilots who flew them, much heart.Responsible for a significant majority of enemy aircraft destoyed ( Three Fifths ) during the Battle of Britain, the Hawker Hurricane was fast, light and highly manoeuvrable, yet tough and durable.

In general, the Hurricanes' role was to intercept the German bomber aircraft, while the Spitfires engaged the ME109 fighter escort . This did not always eventuate, and the Hurricane still performed well when engaged in combat against the faster ME109 fighter.