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News Release
Honouring our Heroes : Ceremony marking the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Britain
Lancaster, Spitfire, Mustang, Harvard, CF-18s to fly in honour of Canadian war dead
CAS NR-05.002 - September 15, 2005
OTTAWA - - In this Year of the Veteran, Canada's Air Force, in association with the Air Force Association of Canada, invites the people of Ottawa to join in the commemoration of the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Britain on Sunday, September 18, 2005 between 10:15 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at the Canadian Aviation Museum in Ottawa.
Vintage aircraft fly-pasts, wreath laying, a minute of silence followed by reveille, pipes, drums and military pageantry are among the highlights of this year's parade. Many Second World War veterans will be marching in the parade, alongside current members of Canada's Air Force and Air Cadets. It is an opportunity for the people of the National Capital Region to show their appreciation to these Canadian and allied heroes.
Ottawa entrepreneur and vintage aircraft enthusiast Michael Potter will be flying his Spitfire * in formation with one of his other aircraft, a P-51 Mustang , and a Lancaster bomber from the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton. A Harvard , a CP-140 Aurora , and CF-18 Hornets aircraft will also conduct a fly-past.
General Rick Hillier, Chief of the Defence Staff is scheduled to attend. Lieutenant-General Steve Lucas, Chief of the Air Staff will be present to pay his respects. The British High Commissioner, His Excellency, Mr. David Reddaway, along with representatives from other countries that participated in the Battle of Britain will also be attending.
Of the 103 Canadians who flew in the Battle of Britain between July and October 1940, only six are still alive today. Twenty-three Canadians lost their lives during the Battle of Britain while 30 veterans of that famous battle died later in the war. Historians have described the Battle of Britain, which involved a total of almost 3,000-Allied aircrew, as the turning point in the Second World War. The victory, described by Sir Winston Churchill as Britain's “finest hour” gave hope to a demoralized Britain and northern Europe and was the first battle to be won purely by air power.
This spectacular aviation event will include fly-pasts * by:
VINTAGE AIRCRAFT:
- Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum Avro Lancaster bomber
- Michael Potter and his 1945 Supermarine Spitfire, P-51 Mustang and Harvard
MODERN CANADIAN FORCES AIRCRAFT:
- CP-140 Aurora Maritime Surveillance aircraft
- CF-18s Hornet fighter jets
PARKING:
Museum parking is restricted to veterans. Free public parking is available at CFB Rockcliffe on Codd's road, north of Montreal Road. Continuous shuttles to and from the Canada Aviation Museum will run from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
ADMISSION AND SEATING:
- Admission to the Canada Aviation Museum will be free starting at 9:00 a.m. A limited number of seats are available to the general public on a first-come-first-serve basis. The public is asked to be seated by 10:15 a.m. The public can bring lawn chairs if they want. The parade will take place rain or shine * . The Museum is located at Rockliffe and Aviation Parkways
-30-
*Aircraft and fly-pasts subject to weather and aircraft availability.
Note to editors:
Parking is reserved for media. You will be directed upon arrival. Media are asked to be in position no later than 10:00 a.m.
For more information, please contact:
Jennifer Pelley, pelley.j@forces.gc.ca
National Defence, Air Force Public Affairs
Office: 613-945-7719
Cell: 613 –868-0744
Christina Lucas, Canada Aviation Museum
Communications and Marketing
Office: 613-993-4243
Cell: 613-447-7631
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