2019 marks 79 years since the Nazi war machine was stopped dead in the air to crash against the shores of Great Britain.

The Battle of Britain was the first major campaign fought entirely by air forces, and the first combat commitment of the Royal Canadian Air Force in the second world war.

A small group of fighter pilots from allied countries took on the much larger German Air Force and won the battle for air space over the English Channel. This historic event gave hope to Great Britain and its allies.

Wreaths were laid Sunday at the National War Memorial in St. John’s with Lieutenant Governor Judy Foote in attendance. Meanwhile at 5 Wing Goose Bay in Labrador, the RCAF held a service to remember their predecessors.

Photos by Earl Noble