Paige LeClairThe Royal Canadian Air Force marked the 79th anniversary of the Battle of Britain yesterday with ceremonies hosted across the country, and several commemorative flybys across the country.
Declared by historians as the turning point for the Second World War, more than 3,000 allied aircrew members were active in the Battle of Britain including over 100 RCAF members. Twenty-three were killed.
The Battle ultimately stopped the German Air Force from taking over the English skies early in the Second World War.
Known as being the first battle of the Second World War it was fought and won mainly by air. The Battle of Britain was given tribute by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, on August 15, 1940, well before the end of the battle.
He stated in the speech that “never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”
Many historians believe that the turning point of the Second World War took place four weeks later, on September 15, 1940.
Now known as Battle of Britain Day, the third Sunday in September is the day we remember the Canadian air and ground crews who were part of the few.
The national celebration was held at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa, ON on Sunday, Sept. 15. Royal Canadian Air Force personnel, veterans, and Royal Canadian Air Cadets and their families gathered to remember Canadian and Allied sacrifices during the Battle of Britain.
The ceremony featured a flypast of vintage aircraft, and Commander Royal Canadian Air Force Lieutenant-General Al Meinzinger was the reviewing officer at the parade.
Commemoration events were hosted at Royal Canadian Air Force wings in following cities: Kingston, Borden, Gagetown, Petawawa, Valcartier, St.Hubert, Bagotville, Cold Lake, Goose Bay, Trenton, Gander, Shearwater, Greenwood, Moose Jaw, Winnipeg, Comox, and North Bay.
