A closer look at how Canada has fought from the skies

This Remembrance Day is different for Hamilton’s Warplane museum, so we’ve taken an online look into the history of the RCAF.

Multimedia by Curtis Martin.

Story by Breanna Schnurr

In a special Remembrance Day story, journalist Curtis Martin created a story map that showcases major Canadian Airforce missions throughout history.

The RCAF has been through many missions in its “96-year history,” including the Korean war, the Battle of Britain and World War I.

Each of the 6 points gives further information about the particular battle being mentioned.

“More than 25,000 Canadians served with the British air service as pilots, observers and mechanics, in every theatre of the war.” Martin wrote under the WWI blurb. 

The highlighted cities also include photos taken from the time period and geographical location.

Traditions Re-written

This map was created in honour of the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum’s socially-distanced Remembrance Day ceremony.

In what is typically one of the “largest in-person ceremonies in Canada,” as said by CHCH co-host Bob Cowan, the event was moved to a completely online platform due to COVID-19 restrictions.

“Every day is Remembrance Day but there’s only one November 11th. The 11th day, and the 11th hour when we stop and in silence remember all those who have served our great nation.” Said David Rohrer, the president and CEO of the museum.

The event lasted an hour long and you can find the live stream of the ceremony on Youtube.

You can take a look at the story map below and see the history of Canada’s battles from the sky.