Airborne Battle of Britain practice over Bay of Quinte communities

Military air traffic will increase significantly over the communities of Belleville, Deseronto, Halston and Read Friday between 1 and 3 p.m. as 19 different aircraft and helicopters practice for the Battle of Britain 75th anniversary commemorative ceremony to be held at Parliament Hill, Ottawa on Sunday.

Lt. Karyn Blanchette, 8 Wing CFB Trenton Public Affairs Officer said the aircraft will fly at an altitude no lower than 1000 feet above ground and the practice will culminate with a Snowbird flypast over CFB Trenton between 2:30 and 3 p.m. in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the Canadian Forces Aerospace Warfare Centre.

“It is standard practice to advise our community neighbours of training and events in the local area,” she said. “This event may pose a brief noise disturbance to the affected communities.”

More than 100 Canadians flew in the Battle of Britain between July and October 1940 and 23 lost their lives; an unknown number also served as groundcrew. Historians have described the Battle, which involved almost 3,000 Allied airmen, as a turning point of the Second World War. The victory, described by Sir Winston Churchill as Britain’s “finest hour” halted a planned invasion of Great Britain and gave hope to a demoralized Britain and northern Europe. It was the first battle to be won by air power.