NEVER had so much been owed by so many to so few.

But the unsung heroes who built the famous plane that did more than any other to win the Battle of Britain have often been overlooked.

Yesterday was one day to remember the workers who built the Spitfire at the Vickers Supermarine factory in Woolston, Southampton, and lived in constant danger of Nazi bombing raids during 1940.

They were trained to ignore the first air raid warnings, to ensure production of the precious plane was only interrupted at the last moment.

But on the afternoon of September 24, the factory was hit by a sustained, accurate bombing raid which killed 42 people and seriously injured 65 more.

An even more devastating raid followed two days later. At 3pm yesterday, a special ceremony was held to mark the 60th anniversary of the raids which took such a heavy toll on the city.

Southampton mayor Peter Wakeford laid a wreath on Spitfire Walk, on the banks of the River Itchen at a site once covered by the factory.

The Reverend David Flint read the names of all those who died - from riveters and metal workers to typists and clerks - before conducting a simple ceremony. The occasion brought back vivid memories for many of the surviving workers and local residents who had come to pay their respects.

Former skilled fitter Joe Knight, 81, said: "I was on night shift at the time - that may well have saved my life. As soon I heard the air raid warnings I cycled over to the factory. After the raid we had to help lift the debris.

"It was very harrowing - we found handbags, shoes, items of clothing.

Mr Knight, of Wavell Road, added: "It's traumatic to think about that time again, but it's only right that the occasion is remembered.

"You do get a feeling of being forgotten. A few of us tried to join the RAF but were refused because our role was so important."

The Luftwaffe first targeted the factory on September 15, but the raid failed to affect production. The devastating raid on September 24 was followed by another accurate attack on September 26, which finished production at the Woolston site.

It also left 55 people dead across the city, destroying nine houses, leaving 101 requiring demolition and damaging a further 700.

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