German warplane recovered to tell its story

Story by Sharon Adams

Six weeks into the Battle of Britain, on Aug. 26, 1940, a squadron of nine German aircraft headed across the English Channel to wreak havoc on an airfield in Kent, an area known at the time as Hellfire Corner for the ferocious fighting that went on overhead.

The formation was detected and Royal Air Force squadrons scrambled to intercept them above the Kent coast. In one British Defiant was Pilot Officer Desmond (Hawkeye) Hughes, the third-highest scoring RAF night fighter, and his gunner, Fred Gash.

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The Ypres Salient in Belgium was mostly a quagmire in the spring of 1915. The ground was torn up from countless artillery blasts, makeshift fortifications and a network of sandbagged trenches leading to along the front. It was here that Major John McCrae worked as a brigade surgeon for of the 2nd Division, Canadian Field Artillery. Through the chaos, suffering and personal tragedy, he still found time to write the poem “In Flanders Fields.”

Pick up a copy of JOHN McCRAE AND THE BATTLES OF FLANDERS on newsstands across Canada on November 4, 2019 or subscribe to Canada’s Ultimate Story today to receive this issue!

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On track, part 2

Story and photography by Stephen J. Thorne

The National Youth Track and Field Championships took place Aug. 9-11, 2019, in Sydney, N.S., where 721 athletes—341 of them sponsored by The Royal Canadian Legion—competed. The event, hosted by Cape Breton University and the Legion’s Breton Branch, also involved 160 coaches, 150 officials and more than 600 volunteers.

Below is a selection of images capturing moments of victory, joy, disappointment and exhaustion at the finish line of several races and other events.

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August 30, 1945

Hong Kong is liberated after it had been overrun by Japanese forces in December 1941.

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To our valued ReaderPerks members!

Hey Michael Barbour!

For the month of August, we are pleased to offer our ReaderPerks members a WORLD WAR II BUNDLE at over 60% OFF. Get these four issues: 1- World War II: The war that had to be won, 2- Canada and the Second World War: The Battles, 3- Liberating Normandy and 4- D-DAY: The free world fights back at this exclusive ReaderPerks Price – PLUS you will receive a FREE Poppy Tote Bag with your order. We hope you enjoy this month’s perk and thank you for your continued interest in Canada’s fascinating history!

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*Coupons can’t be used on ReaderPerks Deal of the Month offers as they are already at reduced price.