Battle of Britain

Between July 10 and October 31, 1940, the skies over Britain were filled with the sights and sounds of the first fully aerial battle in human history.  The British were on the defensive, and the Luftwaffe were determined to smash through the RAF Fighter Command to establish air superiority, and cripple the British into a negotiated peace settlement.  This battle, widely considered a turning point in the Second World War, saw roughly 90,000 civilian casualties, along with thousands of servicemen.  However, the Allies won in the skies over Britain, and laid the groundwork for the remainder of the war.

To commemorate this sombre occasion of sacrifice and bravery in the face of near insurmountable odds, cadets from 111 Pegasus Squadron participated in a parade in Stanley Park on September 11th.  The Cadets witnessed speeches presented by dignitaries from Poland and Australia, and witnessed a fly-by from the Fraser Blues Flying Formation Team.  One of the most vital lessons which can be learned from the Cadet program is to remember the sacrifices of those who came before us, whether in the Battle of Britain, or on other operations by Canada and her allies.  In the words of Winston Churchill on the Battle of Britain, “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”  As Canadians, it is our duty to remember the sacrifices made by those who came before, and to work together toward a better tomorrow.

-FCpl Strangway, Derek