77 years ago, British pilots, with aid from the Commonwealth and her allies, managed to push back the aerial assault in the famous Battle of Britain..
“We were successful because we worked together,” said Col. Mark Roberts, wing commander at 22 Wing CFB North Bay after the ceremony. “It’s rare that countries today can have success just on their own. A coalition of the willing, like NATO or NORAD, make us that much stronger and it really sends a strong message to our adversaries that we are a united front.”
Now, 77 years later, members of the public joined with members of 22 Wing/CFB North Bay, a flight of Veterans and Air Cadets from 547 “Canuck” Squadron for the parade and wreath-laying ceremony to honour those who took part in the Battle, and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
“It was the first time in the second world war that Canada really made a measurable impact in the war,” Col. Roberts said. “Dieppe came later in 1943, and of course Normandy, where Canada was there in force. This was a year after the start of the war, Germany was on the offensive, sweeping across Europe and we had a group of Canadians that stepped forward to support our ally in a very pivotal battle against all odds. They were RCAF, so for us at Wing 22, it does serve as an example today when need to remember the past. It’s a great example for our youth and our current serving members today.”
And the united front didn’t end with the Second World War. Roberts said the spirit of comradery is alive today, with Americans working here, with our Canadian forces to keep the peace.
“We live it at NORAD every day, we’re working next to Americans around the base,” he said.
