TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2017 Volume 59, #15 The Battle of Britain con- The Battle of Britain is radar stations on the south flict took place between often described as having coast. By sinking merchant July and October of 1940. four phases, the dates of ships, Germany would pre- It was the first major mili- which seem to vary. vent the British people from Battle of Britain tary campaign in history to receiving the commodities be fought entirely in the air. Phase One - required for their existence. Commemorating 77 years On July 10, 120 German July 10 to At the same time, it was bombers and fighters struck August 12, 1940 hoped that it would draw Comox Air Force Museum a British shipping convoy out the British fighters from Attacks on Channel Ship- in the English Channel, their bases so as to analyze ping: On July 16, Hitler while 70 more bombers at- the strength of the Royal Air issued Directive No. 16, tacked dockyards in South Force, determine the speed which called for prepara- Wales. and efficiency that it could tions to be made for Opera- Although Britain had deploy its squadrons. tion Sealion - the invasion of fewer fighters than the Ger- Intermittent bombing Britain. He demanded that mans, it did have an effec- raids took place on Ports- “the British Air Force… be tive radar system, which mouth, Falmouth, Swansea, eliminated to such an extent made the prospects of a Newcastle and Merseyside, that it will be incapable of sneak attack unlikely. but these weren’t consistent putting up any sustained But in the opening days like the Channel convoy opposition to the invad- of the Battle, Britain need- raids. ing troops.” So the Luft- ed determination and alu- Continued on page 2. waffe (German Air Force) minum. The government attacked shipping convoys asked for all available alu- in the English Channel, minum. Channel ports, and coastal “We will turn your pots and pans into Spitfires and Hurricanes,” the Ministry of Aircraft Production said. 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Lots of room for your toys and Personal Real Estate Corp. large windows overlooking your cozy back yard. tons of storage. Email: [email protected] 250-218-5522 $384,900 www.royallepage.ca/id/421253 $514,900 www.royallepage.ca/id/420737 2 | SEPTEMBER 12, 2017 | TOTEM TIMES Totem Battle of Britain - July to Oct 1940 TIMES Phase Two - airfields and other military August 13 to targets were attacked dur- ing the day. August 18, 1940 However, all they were Attacks on Airfields and doing was losing more Radar Stations: The Luft- aircraft and losing more waffe planned to destroy and more aircrews. The the aircraft of the British Luftwaffe had tried in vain Fighter Command, either to “break the heart” of the on the ground or in the RAF, but without success. air. Airfields and radar sta- By October 31, all was tions became the focus of quiet. The final phase of MANAGING EDITOR German bombing. These the invasion of England Camille Douglas raids destroyed aircraft officially ended. 250-339-2541 and damaged airfields, The Battle of Britain was [email protected] thus making it difficult for now over. aircraft to operate. GRAPHIC DESIGNER Commemora- Gillian Ottaway Querin August 13 is referred to as ‘Eagle Day’ (Adlertag); tive ceremony EDITORIAL ADVISOR the Luftwaffe launched The Battle of Britain Capt Brad Little intense raids on RAF air- will be commemorated on fields. The airfields of No. The first bombing attacks ister Winston Churchill cus of his heavy bombers Sunday, September 17. As DISTRIBUTION on the City of London acknowledged enormous mainly on London, but Michael Pearce 11 Group in southeast Eng- per tradition, the Comox land suffered the heaviest started this third phase. gratitude to British and Al- many other industrial cen- Valley Air Force Museum attacks. Small civilian air- The Luftwaffe theory lied aircrew, with his now ters suffered as well, but at Association invites the fields were used in emer- was that mass bombing famous, “Never in the field a high attrition rate to the public to attend the annual gency. raids would inflict se- of conflict has so much Luftwaffe. Heritage Stone Dedication vere damage to the city been owed by so many to September 15 is named A Division of Personnel ‘The Hardest Day’ was Ceremony that is held in Support Programs August 18; fierce air bat- and lower morale and the so few.” ‘Battle of Britain Day’. partnership with 19 Wing 19 Wing Comox, tles took place between the strength of the people and, During night bombing The Luftwaffe launched Comox as part of the Bat- PO Box 1000 Stn. Main, RAF and the Luftwaffe, at the same time, elimi- of Britain on August 24, a its heaviest raids on Lon- tle of Britain anniversary. Lazo, BC V0R 2K0 with severe loss of RAF nate the remaining fight- lost German bomber for- don. Fighter Command The service will be held [email protected] aircraft on the ground. ers of Fighter Command. mation dropped bombs successfully fought the at the St. Michael and All The Fighter Command was Attacks by massed forma- on London by mistake. attacking aircraft, result- Angels Protestant Chapel, stretched to the limit. tions of bombers escorted The following day, in re- ing in heavy Luftwaffe located on Military Row, by twice as many fighters taliation for this, the RAF losses. By September 17, across from the Heritage Phase Three - now brought the war closer launched their first bomb- Hitler postponed ‘Opera- Air Park. Guests should be August 19 to to the residents of the capi- ing raid on Berlin. tion Sealion’. The Ger- seated by 1:45 p.m. September 6, 1940 tal city. Phase Four - mans couldn’t continue Visit comoxairforcemu- Heavy bombing took the rate of loss to the Luft- The Luftwaffe continued seum.ca for more informa- place on the industrial fac- September 7 to waffe. They focused their to bomb towns, cities, and tion on the Heritage Stone tories and the dock areas October 31, 1940 bombing raids on British airfields across the south Dedication Ceremony or of London’s ‘East End’. cities at night, to reduce coast of England, the Mid- The night raids contin- the history relating to the On August 20, Prime Min- casualties. Coastal towns, lands, and the northeast. ued; Hitler kept the fo- Battle of Britain. Comox Air Force Museum celebrates 30 years The Comox Air Force Museum is marking their 30th anniversary with a private ceremony, official opening of a new display area, and the release of a history book on September 12. The Comox Air Force Museum (CAFM) commemo- rates the role and history of 19 Wing Comox, doc- umenting significant achievements in west coast military aviation history. Founded in 1982 as part of the Air Force Indoc- The Totem Times is an unoffi- trination School, CAFM was accredited as a stand- cial publication of 19 Wing Co- mox, BC. The Editor reserves alone Canadian Forces museum - officially open to the right to edit copy and re- the public - on September 12, 1987. ject advertisements to suit The anniversary is marked by the release of the the needs of the publication. newly published book “Comox Air Force Museum: Views expressed are those of the contributor unless express- Our First Thirty Years”, written by Col (Ret) Jon Am- ly attributed to DND, CAF, or bler, program manager and volunteer coordinator other agencies. In case of ty- at the Comox Air Force Museum. pographical errors, no goods A limited number of books will be available in the may be sold and the difference claimed against this paper. The museum gift shop, open Tuesday to Sunday from paper’s liability is limited to a 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. refund of the space charged A new hallway display will be officially opened for the erroneous item. Mate- during the anniversary celebration. Many months rial may be reprinted with at- tribution. Published 22 times of volunteer effort has transformed the static space a year, every second Tuesday, into a bright new area that will feature revolving with permission of Col Mike displays. Atkins, 19 Wing Commander. The museum is open to the public by donation and Publications Mail Registration No.4098. Printed by Ladysmith is located at the main gates of 19 Wing Comox, on Press, Ladysmith, BC. Circula- the corner of Ryan Road and Military Row. tion: 1800. SEPTEMBER 12, 2017 | TOTEM TIMES | 3 Battle of Britain special contribution: In Praise of the Hurricane stated the case. “I’d give ‘em an ‘urricane, and they’d either prang it or bring it back full of bloody ‘oles,” he’d complain in his rich Bournemouth accent.