The Alberta Aviation Museum hosted its final celebration of the Battle of Britain Sunday.
Hundreds turned out for the event, which marks one of the greatest air battles of WWII.
“If it had been lost, Britain would have been invaded, with the invasion would have meant no D-day. No D-day means no freedom of Europe,” Museum executive director, Tom Hinderks explained.
The highlight of the celebration was the parade, a military-style event, which has traditionally been held on the taxi way, next to the Museum.
However, with the closure of the Municipal Airport, those with the Museum Association said they will no longer have the room to host the parade in upcoming years.
“We need a bit of maneuvering room to be able to host the event,” parade organizer Erwin Loewin said.
“We are aware that this tarmac space is designated to be developed into something else.”
Hinderks said they were expecting crews to begin demolition swiftly after the property is officially closed.
“The city has informed us that the existing fence line is our property line. There will be no expansion.”
Loewin said that organizers were working to confirm a new location but they have not settled on any yet.
“I think there are possibilities, I am just lamenting the fact that it won’t be here.”
This is the 73rd anniversary of the Battle of Britain, which has been seen as a turning point in WWII and dubbed Britain’s “finest hour” by Sir Winston Churchill.
According to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), celebrations honouring the Battle of Britain are held every third Sunday in September.
The RCAF estimates more than 100 Canadians participated in the air battle between July and October 1940. Twenty-three of those died during the fighting.
With files from Nicole Weisberg
