The Battle Of Britain Many Canadian pilots served in Britain's air

force (RAF) and in the RCAF to provide crucial air support for Britain, during the Battle of Britain. The Germans used blitz bombing tactics on British cities, during the summer of 1940. They were quick and effective but using an advanced radar system, the RAF fighter planes were able to shoot down German aircrafts and keep control of Britain.

• By the end of the war, the RCAF was the 4th biggest air force in the world.

Royal Canadian Navy• Began the war with 13 vessels:

– 6 destroyers – 3,500 personnel

• At the end of the war the RCN was the third largest navy in the world. – 373 fighting ships– over 110,000 members, all of whom were volunteers

• including 6,500 women who served in the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Services.

• The main responsibility of the RCN was to escort of merchant ship convoys. – The first convoy sailed from Halifax on September 16, 1939– By mid-1942, the RCN, with support from the RCAF, was providing nearly half

the convoy escorts, and afterwards carried out the main share of escort duty. • Approximately 2,000 members of the RCN died during the war, and

24 RCN vessels were sunk. • Canadian aircraft and ships, alone or in consort with other ships or

aircraft, sank 50 U-boats.

Allied shipping sunk by U-Boat