At an early age I became interested in history, and one area of great interest to me is military aviation history. I have always been fascinated by the Battle of Britain for several reasons, but predominately because it was the first major defeat that Germany suffered in World War II, the first sign that maybe we could defeat Evil.
While I really wanted to write about music in today’s column, I felt that I had to address something else first. Indulge me, please.
In late July 1940, England was on it’s knees, exhausted and beaten. The Wehrmacht a) triumphantly stood on the coast of France, greedily eyeing England and waiting for the order to invade and conquer. The Luftwaffe b) was preparing to smash the Royal Air Force to open the way, not only for the invasion of, but, the subjugation of England.
Last Saturday, Lois and I went to the Canadian National Exhibition and took in the Canadian International Air Show. This airshow has always been special to me, as it was the first airshow that I went to on my own, my “toe in the waters of adulthood”, so to speak. I remember the thrill of looking out of my bus on the Gardiner and seeing a real Spitfire flying over the waterfront pre show. One year I was even lucky enough to see the airshow in the afternoon and Chicago (the band) that evening! Heady stuff indeed for an 18 year old from Orillia.
Bullseye Records of Canada
Segarini: Don't Believe a Word I Say 