Battle of Britain

The Battle of Britain was recognized almost immediately as a significant event. Waged from July to October 1940, it pitted a small group of fighter pilots from around the world against a far larger Luftwaffe. Their victory gave hope to the people of Great Britain and to other freedom-loving nations. History

Battle of Britain 79th Anniversary

Sunday, September 15, 2019
at 10:00 a.m.
Canada Aviation and Space Museum
11 Aviation Pkwy, Ottawa, ON

Vintage aircraft fly by weather permitting

Ceremonies across Canada

Battle of Britain: Did you know?

In late August, Allied forces began dropping bombs on Berlin in retaliation for an accidental Luftwaffe bombing of London. A furious Hitler ordered massive bombing attacks on British cities, and the Blitz began on September 7. But as bombs rained down on London, the shift in targets turned Luftwaffe attention from airfields and ground elements of the air defence system. More importantly, the change allowed Fighter Command to have more warning of Luftwaffe attacks and to be better prepared.

Battle of Britain Webpage

News and articles

A woman wearing a medium-blue uniform stands at attention at the right front corner of a tall memorial topped with a statue and backed by trees.

RCAF marks 77th anniversary of the Battle of Britain throughout Canada

RCAF personnel mark the 77th anniversary of the Battle of Britain throughout Canada
October 12, 2017

A group of people playing bagpipes, wearing blue jackets, blue and maroon tartan kilts and tall black feather hats are led by a similarly dressed man wearing an ornate sash and carrying an ornate staff who is gesturing to his right.

RCAF marks 77th anniversary of the Battle of Britain

The Royal Canadian Air Force marked the 77th anniversary of the Battle of Britain today with a ceremony in Gatineau, Quebec.
September 17, 2017

Thirty uniformed men gather for a photograph in a low-ceilinged room.

Battle of Britain Sunday

RCAF aircrew and groundcrew contributed to the Allied victory in the Battle of Britain. Here are some of those heroes of a victory that would be carried as a talisman in the hearts of every Allied combatant in the Second World War.
September 15, 2017

A black and white photo of three men in military uniforms.

No. 242 “Canadian” Squadron revisited

No. 242 had been formed in October 1939 as an all-Canadian unit within the Royal Air Force (RAF). The idea was largely one of optics—it made for good press in Canada to have such a unit operating before a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) presence could be established. Only about 40 per cent of the ground crews were Canadian, but all of the pilots (with one exception) were Canadians who had enrolled directly in the RAF before the war.
September 12, 2017

A Hurricane is re-armed while a section flies overhead. From the photo album of Flying Officer R.W.G. Norris, from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, who served with No. 1 Squadron during the Battle of Britain.

The unsung heroes of the Battle of Britain: The groundcrew of No. 1 (RCAF) Squadron

The groundcrew and support staff who allowed the fighter pilots to do their job of destroying the enemy were the unsung heroes of the Battle of Britain.
September 11, 2017

Two pilots race to their awaiting Hurricanes.

Among Canada’s “Few”: The RCAF’s No. 1 Squadron in the Battle of Britain

The Royal Canadian Air Force’s No. 1 Squadron’s contribution to the Battle of Britain represents the first time our nation sent an expeditionary air force into battle in a coalition environment.
September 11, 2017

A man wearing an Air Force uniform salutes.

“Victory rests on their shoulders”

The national Battle of Britain ceremony was held in Ottawa on September 18, 2016, marking the 76th anniversary of a hard-fought battle that turned the tide of the Second World War.
September 23, 2016