If we lose the war in the air we lose the war and we lose it

Gather now, O children, and hear the words of Bernard Law Montgomery, a man who stood at the forefront of battle in the midst of the Second World War, leading the Allied forces to victory. He said, "If we lose the war in the air we lose the war and we lose it quickly." These words speak to a truth as clear as the sky itself—air superiority is not merely a component of war; it is the very lifeblood of victory. The battle for the skies, once won, can shape the outcome of the war itself. Montgomery’s insight captures a deep reality of warfare: that control of the air means the power to strike, the power to dominate, and the power to prevent the enemy from doing the same. Loss of air superiority is not just a setback; it is the opening of the gates to defeat.

In ancient times, O children, the wars of kings and emperors were often decided by the strength of their armies on the ground. Cavalry could carry the day, and siege weapons could breach the most formidable of fortresses. Yet, even then, military strategy was shaped by the control of terrain, the ability to move freely, and to strike with precision. The greatest armies of old, like those of Alexander the Great or Julius Caesar, knew that the key to victory was not just in numbers, but in maneuverability. The control of the battlefield allowed a general to dominate, to choose when and where to fight. And in the same way, Montgomery’s words reflect a modern evolution of this principle—control of the air is the means by which victory is secured.

Look, O children, at the momentous days of World War II, when the fate of the world hung in the balance. The Battle of Britain, fought in 1940, is a prime example of what Montgomery meant. Adolf Hitler and the Luftwaffe, the German air force, sought to crush Britain’s ability to resist. The skies over Britain became a battleground of tremendous intensity, with the fate of Great Britain and the entire European theater of war resting upon the shoulders of RAF pilots. If Britain had lost control of the skies, if the Luftwaffe had shattered the Royal Air Force, the Nazis would have been free to invade, and the course of history would have been forever altered. But the RAF’s victory in the air, against overwhelming odds, meant that Britain could stand firm, resist the Nazi onslaught, and turn the tide of war.

It is no exaggeration to say that the Battle of Britain was won in the air, not on the ground. The fighters of the RAF, though fewer in number, were able to use their knowledge of the skies, their speed, and their determination to repel the German bombers. The Spitfire and Hurricane became symbols of this victory—they were more than machines; they were the instruments by which a nation’s will was tested and affirmed. Montgomery’s words echo the power of this battle: without control of the air, all other strategies fall apart. And so, it was the bravery, the resilience, and the tactical superiority of the airmen that made all the difference.

Consider, O children, how these words apply not only to wars fought with weapons, but to the battles we face in our own lives. In every challenge, there is a key to success—a place where the outcome can be shifted, where victory can be won with the right move at the right time. Sometimes that key is momentum, sometimes it is knowledge, and sometimes it is the first strike. Just as Montgomery understood that the battle for the skies could determine the outcome of the war, so too must you understand that some battles are won not by sheer force or resources, but by the strategic use of your strengths and your advantages. Recognizing your own “air superiority”—the key advantage you hold in a particular situation—can mean the difference between success and failure.

In your journey, children, the lesson is clear: seek to control the high ground in your own struggles. Whether it is through knowledge, preparation, or a well-timed action, find the tactical advantage that allows you to rise above the fray. Recognize the power of timing and strategy in all that you do. When you strike at the right moment, when you act with precision and resolve, you ensure that the outcome is in your favor. But if you lose control, if you let the enemy gain the upper hand, then all else will falter.

So, children, as you walk the path of life, remember that victory is not always about strength alone. It is about knowing where and when to strike, about seizing the moments when the odds are in your favor. In the war of life, there are many battles—and to win, you must first learn to control the air, to find the strategic advantage that allows you to rise above, to see clearly, and to act decisively. For if you lose control of that moment—if you lose control of the air—the outcome may slip beyond your reach. Let this be your guide: seek the heights, find your advantage, and with courage and clarity, strike with purpose when the time is right.