A commemorative ceremony took place in North Bay Sunday honouring a significant air battle that happened during the Second World War. 

It was a victory foiled Adolf Hitler’s plans of invading Britain.

The Battle of Britain was significant because it was the first military conflict fought entirely in the sky.

It was 1940 and Britain was the last stand for the allies during the early stages of the Second World War.

The Germans invaded France and set their sights on the last super power in Europe.

Richard Jolette is the Lieutenant-Colonel of 21 Aerospace Control and Warning Squadron at 22 Wing Canadian Forcexs Base North Bay.

"Failure wasn't an option, it was the last stand. Britain was the last stand for the allies." said Jolette.

A small ceremony was held in North Bay to remember those who fought for our freedom.

"For me particularly being in the Air Force, being in the Royal Canadian Air Force, it’s a really special ceremony. The Battle of Britain was the biggest air battle in the history in its time." said Jolette.

The German Luftwaffe bombarded Britain in the summer of 1940, but the British and Canadian Air Forces teamed up and confronted the Nazis for air supremacy until they drove them back and claimed victory on September 15th of the same year.

More than 100 Canadians fought during the battle and 23 of them perished,but their service is etched in history forever.

Rita Patry is a retired Air Force captain.

"The Battle of Britain means a lot to me because I don't think we would have been here today, if that hadn't have taken place. We would be under someone else's command, I'm sure." said Patry.

It wasn't just Canada and Britain flying overhead, our neighbours to the south quickly came to our aid along with Australia, and many Europeans, all desperate to end Nazi Germany's reign of terror.

Lieutenant Colonel Rye Whitehead is Commander, Detachment 2, First Air Force and 22 Wing Operations Officer.

"Nearly 3,000 people supported, whether they were Canadian, Australian, Czechs, also American. So we had nine U.S. personnel that helped support the Battle of Britain." said Rye.

Historians cite the allied victory over Germany as a critical part in the war, uniting the allies as one, rallying against Adolf Hitler and the Nazis.