The Battle of Britain
 The
Battle of France is over. I expect that the Battle of Britain is
about to begin. Upon this battle depends the survival of Christian
civilization. Upon it depends our British life, and the long continuity
of our institutions and our Empire. The whole fury and might of the
enemy must very soon be turned on us. Hitler knows that he will have
to break us in this island or lose the war. Let us therefore brace
ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that, if the British
Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still
say, "This was their finest hour."
- WINSTON CHURCHILL, JUNE 18, 1940
July 1940, the German war machine had overrun France and was now poised
at the English Channel. Britain anticipated that they would be the next
to be invaded. The German army and the Luftwaffe had made short work
of Poland, before turning their attention north and then west. The British
Norwegian Campaign had ended ignominiously while the British Expeditionary
Force had been whipped in France. The successful evacuation of over 335,000
British and French soldiers from Dunkirk hid the apparent failure against
the Blitzkrieg. The Germans appeared unbeatable.
 With
the Germans almost at their doorstep, all England looked to the Royal
Air Force. Both the English and the Germans realized that before the
German armies could invade, the RAF would have to be eliminated. With
this in mind, the Luftwaffe first probed for weaknesses by attacking
targets in southern England and shipping. This was followed by attacks
against RAF airfields and radar stations.
The RAF, already badly weakened through having sent squadrons to France,
was suffering heavily in the daily attacks on their airfields. Although
fighting valiantly, losses of men and machines mounted, nearing a critical
level. Relief came from an unexpected source. A German bomber accidentally
bombed London prompting the RAF to attack Berlin. Hitler was incensed,
ordering that the Luftwaffe now turn their attention to leveling London.
With the Luftwaffe's attention now turned to London and other British
cities, the heat was still not off the RAF. The elimination of Britain's
still developing war industry could have dealt Britain a grave blow.
Day after day the Luftwaffe came to bomb the docks, factories and infrastructure
of the last bastion in Europe. Daily the RAF met the challenge. The stalwart
defence during the day forced the Luftwaffe to attack at night. By the
end of October, the Luftwaffe had exhausted itself. With it went the
last chance of an invasion of Britain by the German army.
Canadian airmen played their part in the Battle of Britain. Over 100
Canadian pilots flew on fighter operations during the Battle of Britain.
Another 200 fought with the RAF's Bomber and Coastal Commands. An untold
number served as groundcrew, keeping the fighters, bombers and patrol
Aircraft flying.
These Canadian pilots distinguished themselves, not only in the Battle
of Britain, but also in later battles. They were not alone however. Joining
the British and Canadians, were pilots from Australia, New Zealand and
South Africa, from Czechoslovakia, France and Poland, and from the United
States. It was an international effort to defend democracy. Few of them
recognized the significance of their actions at the time.
The significance of the Battle of Britain is more than just a matter
of Aircraft kills and medals. It was the first time that air power saved
a nation. Not only was it a military victory, but it also gave a somber
nation hope for the future. For Canada, the leadership provided by these
experienced fliers was to be instrumental in the development of the Royal
Canadian Air Force. The Battle of Britain was also the first occasion
in which Canadian airmen flew in Canadian units in a sustained battle.
Information provided by Director of Heritage and History,
1 Cdn Air Div
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