THUNDER BAY - There were grey skies above the Thunder Bay International Airport on Sunday and a low fog that departing planes slipped into and then disappeared. Just below them was a gathering to remember the men and women who watched over the skies above Britain during the Second World War, many of whom slipped into the clouds, never to be seen again.
Members of 70 Thunder Bay Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron, Royal Canadian Legion, the 42 Vindictive Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Band, veterans, and the public commemorated the 78th anniversary of the Battle of Britain on Sunday. The somber ceremony, which included laying wreathes, reading of the Airman’s Hymn, and the last post, was held at the Battle of Britain Memorial outside the Thunder Bay Airport.
“I think it’s important so we never forget those who served this country and those that have died fighting for our freedom and all of the benefits that we have,” said Dell Babcock, president of the Port Arthur Legion Branch 5.
The Battle of Britain raged in the skies high above English cities from July to October in 1940. The Royal Airforce and the Royal Canadian Airforce fought against overwhelming odds as the Luftwaffe ceaselessly bombed British cities in an attempt to take control of the air and possibly pave the way for an invasion of the British Isles.
But young men and women fighting in the skies and on the ground, were able to halt the German onslaught, handing Nazi Germany its first significant defeat in the Second World War.
“They were fighting against overwhelming odds against the Nazis,” Babcock said. “They had control of the air and the British Airforce and Canadian Airforce banded together and fought and were successful in controlling the skies. Controlling the skies was an important facet in winning the war.”
It did not come without a cost, however, with more than 1,500 air crew killed and more than 1,700 wounded. The toll on the civilian population was even greater, with more than 14,000 killed on the ground.
Thunder Bay played another significant role during the battle, with the Canada Car plant, now Bombardier, manufacturing Hawker Hurricane aircraft, one of the primary workhorses for the RAF and RCAF during the battle.
For the young Air Cadets, many of whom are the same age as the pilots were when they took to the English skies so long ago, participating in the commemoration is a source of pride.
“I think it’s really important that we don’t forget the sacrifices that veterans made for our country,” said Flight Sgt. Jacques Proulx of 70 Thunder Bay Air Cadet Squadron. “A lot of them were very young. A lot of them were lying about their age to get in. It’s a good feeling of pride to wear the cadet uniform and stand for your country and for what the veterans did for their country.”
Proulx added that he hopes his fellow cadets will continue on the tradition of marking this important battle in the Second World War, so the memory of all those who took to the clear skies will not fade and disappear.
“It’s really important that it goes on through the generations and that people remember it and people respect it and people put themselves out there to commemorate the event,” Proulx said.
“It’s very encouraging to see the cadets and all the young people that are getting into the cadet corps,” Babcock added. “They will continue on the process in the future.”
