Harper marks the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement to mark the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain:

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"Today, we honour the brave Canadian heroes who fought on the side of democracy and freedom during the Battle of Britain - the first major campaign fought entirely by air forces and one of the most important battles of the twentieth century. It marked a crucial turning point in the Second World War.

"Despite being greatly outnumbered, Great Britain's Royal Air Force pilots, along with Allied air fighters from countries such as Canada, Australia, Poland and France managed to overcome nightly bombing raids and dogfights with the German Air Force.

"The Battle of Britain was the Royal Canadian Air Force's first combat commitment during the Second World War. More than one hundred Canadians flew in this Battle between July and October 1940 to ensure our freedom, and 23 Canadians lost their lives. They represent the very best of what it means to be Canadian. We honour them to preserve the values for which they fought and sacrificed so much.

"Today, our brave men and women in uniform continue this deep Canadian tradition around the world by defending fundamental principles of freedom, human rights, stability and the rule of law."

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