VOL. 12, No.

7 SEPTEMBER 1960

.- ~·· ·~..... ··'-" . "\

.,
-cissy{EE3s, .' , ... I I •• '-~ . :.w--~.:- ·. .,_i
 T HE

VOL. 12, No. 7 SEPTEMBER 1960

!
THE ROUNDEL is published ten times each year,
Annual subscription rate is two dollars. Orders should ,
be sent direct to the Queen's Printer, Ottawa Ont
ARTICLES R.CA.F. Association correspondence should be
mailed to Ass'n Hdqts., 424 Metcalfe St., Ottawa.
page Ont. ·,
Contributions and all other correspondence should
2 be addressed to:
Personal Recollections of a Pilot -------------------------------- --··· 6 Editor, The Roundel,
R.C.A.F. Victoria Island,
Raids, Rules and Regrets --·-- --·-···----··-·-·-··-···----·-·--··---· -·-- 10 Ottawa, Ont.

The Maple Leaf and the Maltese Cross -·-------·· ---·-------·-· 12

The First Pilot Course, BCATP ·····-·-------·-···----·-····-----·----- 18
Midnight Is Still Noon for Nighthawks: Part II.. __ .. _._ .... _ 21

PICTURE STORIES

Recording Royal Roads . ····-···--····-·----------··-····--·-----·--······ 16

Operation Flame Thwarter ·----·-·-············-····----------·········· 28

FEATURETTES

Kiwanis Kids' Day ····--· ··-·-·-· ··-----·· 20

Argus Production Completed ·-••· -·-··-··--·-·---··--· ······-······· 2.5
Auxiliary Prepares for Survival ·······•··•···············-·-------·---- 26
Underwater Escape . -·-·········-···-·····-·········-···--·················- 27
Junior Staff School Opens ···--·-··-·······--·-·····-· .. ·-- ---·-······· 32
THIS MONTH'S COVER
These memorial windows were unveiled in
DEPARTMENTS Westminster Abbey in July 1947, in tribute
to the personnel of the fighter squadrons which
On the Break ... ····- 1 took part in the Battle of Britain.

RCAF Association. ..-----------------.............-...... .-........... 30

Letters to the Editor ···-·····-···--·-···-····--•············-·--·············· 32 Views expressed in THE ROUNDEL are those
the writers expressing them. They do not necessar!lY
J l
reflect the official opinions of the Royal Canadian I'
Force.

Authorized as Second Closs Moil, Post Office Deportment, Ottawa.

 . in Libra
ry

Sosa, 18 September, is being observed across' Canada The new and officially-sponsored Soviet history ot the
by special parades and services to commemorate 'the 20th Second World War declares the Battle of Britain a fake.
anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Veterans· of that Volume I of the '.'History of the Great Patriotic War of
campaign have now grown to middle age - sqme have the Soviet Union1940-45" contends the battle was an
reached high places in the business and professional life elaborate smokescreen to disguise Hitler's preparations to
of Canada, and some still carry the physical scars acquired invade the Soviet Union. (This, at a time when the
two decades ago during "Britain's finest hour." Russians were still linked by treaty with Nazi Germany!)
One would think that surely by now the Battle of The book is reported to be selling briskly at 30 rubles
Britain story had been so well and truly documented that $7.50- a copy.
nothing new could be added. Yet, even as we were The second book referred to above was published 11
preparing this issue two recently-published versions came years ago in Germany but has only now been made
to our attention, convincing us that the tribute on the available to English readers. "The Life and Death of the
following pages is indeed timely and pertinent. ,.,, Luftwaffe" is the personal memoirs of Werner Baumback,
,··' an ex-Luftwaffe colonel, who blames the German political
leaders for the loss of the Battle of Britain. They failed
THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN WINDOW to develop fighter aircraft of sufficient range to engage
Key Plan the RAF, rationalizes Baumback. The subsequent night
bombing of London and other cities failed because it was

IE1
not carried out "with sufficient resolution and in adequate
strength."
Somehow, these two "explanations" just don't jibe with

[TTiTTT] the version of our own historical section ( see page 3).
0 0 0 0

Now
[E [EL
there exists a new German Air Force, allied with
us in NATO for the defence of freedom. Its pilots, like
ours, Ry Sabres and look forward to the day when these
faithful but obsolescent jets will be replaced by CF 104s.
On page 12 we present "The Maple Leaf and the
Maltese Cross"- a current account of life at No. 10

3%20 ff
I 1l=2 2pr1 a
Waffenschule near Oldenburg, Germany. We think it
appropriate to include this in our Battle of Britain issue,
if only to put things in their proper perspective today.
0 0 0 0

t::
Ir1" [} ~
242

25S

222
~
60I

32
257
As we go to press, the RCAF is again engaged in a
major UN air transport assignment. Our special corre-
spondent, S/L Ken Roberts, is in the Congo now. Wateh
for his ROUNDEL report next month.

All Fighter Squadrons which took part In the Battle of Brita.In :arc tcprcnnted In
the window by the badges, and the numbers of the Squadrons are shewn above.

1
The Battle of Britain has special
significance for the RCAF: it was the
Among
Fortm's baptis111 of fire. In August 1940
an RCAF squadron for the first time
flew into action against an enemy, vwon
The
its first victories-and suffered its first
casualties. Its members were . · · Few
Sky trails over London, September 1940.

THE ROUNDEL
Extracts from the Sketch of the same title, against invasion. Were the 50 squad- which small forces bombed Portland
published in January 1948. rons of Hurricanes and Spitfires equal and coastal convoys. On 10 July a
to the task? Could David again over- sudden quickening was evident in
By the Air Historical Section throw Goliath? There was one hopeful these activities: two formations of 150
indication, although its full signifl- aircraft, the largest force yet used, at-
Ls rs early summer of 1940 the cance was little appreciated at the tacked a convoy off Dover. The Battle
eyes of the world were focused upon time. Over Dunkirk the fighters of the for Britain had begun.
the narrow strip of water separating RAF had come to grips with the
THREE PHASES
Great Britain from the continent of Luftwaffe and had taken a heavy toll.
Europe. To all men who believed in Without that fighter cover the story of The contest that followed can be
democracy, in freedom, truth, justice the Dunkirk beaches would have been divided into three phases. The first,
and human decency, that narrow much more tragic. But could our covering forty days ( 10 July to 18
channel represented the last barrier squadrons, exhausted by the great August), was the period during which
against the forces of a new power demands made upon them in the Goering sought to overwhelm Bri-
of darkness that was threatening Battle of France, meet this new tain's fighter defences by heavy at-
Christian civilization. challenge? tacks on coastal shipping, harbours,
Poland had been crushed; Norway airfields, radio location stations and
and Denmark had fallen; the Nether- PRELUDE aircraft factories. This period reached
lands, Belgium, Luxembourg and France fell on 17 June; the next its climax in the ten days ( 8-18
France had been overwhelmed by day Prime Minister Churchill warned August) when the German Air Force,
Hitler's Nazis. Mussolini had snatched the House of Commons that the its preparations now completed,
at the opportunity to enter the war Battle of Britain was about to begin. launched a series of mass attacks on a
in hope of securing some of Hitler's It is difficult to assign precise dates wide front in a supreme effort to
spoils. From North Cape to the for the battle. It did not begin with eliminate our fighter squadrons and
Pyrenees the victorious might of Nazi- a thundering barrage at H-hour on open the way for invasion. Fighter
dam was arrayed, facing westwards some D-day, nor did it end at any Command was called upon for in-
toward the only opponent remaining specific hour or day. In one sense the tensive efforts on a scale greater than
in the lists - Britain, the Dominions battle started with the fall of France at any other time in the battle. But
and the Empire. The next few weeks and continued well into 1941. Air Goering's efforts failed. Air supremacy
would witness a trial of strength 'upon Ministry, however, has accepted the over the Channel and Strait was not
which the cause of human freedom dates 10 July and 31 October 1940 achieved. Far from exhausting our
depended. What was freedom's Order as being the most convenient to fighter forces the Luftwaffe itself
of Battle? mark the opening and termination of suffered crippling losses and had to
• The Royal Navy- which would the battle. Although the selection has, change its tactics.
operate at a decided disad- of necessity, been somewhat arbitrary, After a five days' respite (19-23
vantage in such restricted waters; the period between these dates does August), the second phase began,
• The British Army-- sadly handi- cover the major Luftwaffe activity with London the chief objective of
capped after Dunkirk by the loss against Britain. great formations of bombers escorted
of much of its equipment; Before the battle began there was by swarms of fighters. This was the
• The Royal Air Force - out- an interval of several weeks, a breath- climax of the air battle and was
numbered by the great air fleets ing spell during which the Luftwaffe probably intended by the Nazis to be
of the Luftwaffe; rested from its arduous six-week the prelude to the actual invasion.
• The British People, epitomized blitzkrieg, moved forward to new Their preparations for the land battle
by one of the greatest leaders bases in the Low Countries and appeared to be complete and Hitler
in the long history of that Northern France, collected replace- issued his solemn warning "we shall
people. ments of aircraft and personnel, or- come." For five weeks, 24 August to
Control of the air was the essential ganized lines of communications, and 27 September, the ordeal of London
prerequisite to success in the Battle gathered all the varied supplies of continued, rising to a peak on 15
for Britain. If the Luftwaffe could bombs, ammunition, fuel, spares and September when the Luftwaffe suf-
win and retain control over the equipment necessary for the next fered a major defeat. Great damage
Strait of Dover and English Channel campaign. The Wehrmacht, too, was was inflicted on the capital but once
long enough to permit the invasion making preparations, moving up again the Luftwaffe failed to attain
fleets to cross and gain a beach-head, troops and supplies and collecting its objective. The heart of the empire
Britain might well follow in the list barges for the invasion fleet. The was not paralyzed, nor was the spirit
of Nazi conquest. It was upon the Luftwaffe's preparations required six of its people. We can take it" was
Royal Air Force then, and particu- or seven weeks for completion; but their defiant reply. German bomber
larly upon Fighter Command, that before the full-scale assault could be losses became so great that a con-
the heavy responsibility rested of launched there was some preliminary tinuation of this phase was impossible.
being Britain's first line of defence skirmishing over the Channel in Once again there was a change in

SEPTEMBER 1960 3
 tactics. The 15 September had marked
a definite turn in the course of the
battle; it was the beginning of the
end.
On 28 September the third and
final phase opened, a "battle of at-
trition" which continued until the
encl of October. Forced to abandon
the use of his bombers for mass day-
light attack, Goering now resorted to
sweeps by squadrons of high-flying
Messerschmitt fighters and fighter-bom-
bers. This attempt to wear down our
fighter defences was in itself an ad-
mission of defeat, and like the others
it failed. By the encl of October the
pressure on Fighter Command had
definitely eased; waves still beat upon
the defences, the night assault was
still raging, but the menace of in-
vasion for that year had passed. The
battle had been won.
This brief summary of the air as-
sault upon south-east England is not
a complete picture of the Battle of
Britain. The battle was not fought
solely in the air, nor was the respon-
sibility of guarding Britain from in-
vasion the exclusive prerogative of
Fighter Command. It was fought on
the ground and within the Nazi for-
tress.
THEIR FINEST HOUR
The ground crews who serviced the
Hurricanes and Spitfires, the men and
women who manned the operations
rooms, and operated the signals and
communications services, the intel-
ligence and equipment staffs, the
administrative personnel and all those
who kept units, airfields and head-
quarters operating efficiently - they
too had their share in the victory.
The spectacular victories won by
Fighter Command have tended to
overshadow the fact that the other
commands of the Royal Air Force
were also engaged in the battle. While
Fighter Command was defending
Britain, Bomber and Coastal Com-
mands were carrying the battle to the
enemy and by their assault on Nazi-
held ports and harbours, on aircraft
factories and other war industries
helped to defeat Hitler's plan of in-
vasion.
St. Poul's Cathedral withstood the holocaust. The struggle has been called the
Battle of Britain. More accurately it
4
THE ROUNDEL
 was a Battle for Britain ( and free-
dom) in which the people of that
island were assisted by the other
parts of the Commonwealth and
Empire and by contingents from con-
quered lands of Europe. In the ranks
of the Royal Air Force were to be
found fighter pilots from Canada and
South Africa, coastal crews from
Australia, bomber crews from New
Zealand, and men from many other
branches of Britain's great family.
From Czechoslovakia and Poland,
from Norway and the Netherlands,
from Belgium and France came more
trained aircrews to don the blue of
the RAF and take their part in the
battle. They, too, were numbered
among the few.
CANADA'S CONTRIBUTION
Canada was represented in the
Battle of Britain by several hundred
officers and airmen who served as
aircrew and grounderew in Fighter,
Bomber and Coastal Commands. The
names of 47 are inscribed on the
honour roll in the memorial chapel in
Westminster Abbey. The great ma-
jority of these Canadians who fought
in the Battle of Britain were young
men who had crossed the Atlantic in
pre-war days to enrol in the RAF and
served in units in that force.
There were, however, two fighter
squadrons which bore the name Cana-
dian. One was No. 242 (Canadian)
Squadron of the RAF, composed of
Canadian fighter pilots in the RAF;
the other was No. 1 (Fighter)
Squadron of the RCAF (later desig-
nated No. 401) which had arrived in
Britain on the eve of the battle. Prior
to leaving Canada No. 115 (F)
Auxiliary Squadron had been amal-
gamated with No. 1 (F) Regular
Squadron.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dow-
ding, GCB, GCVO, CMG, who was
Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of
Fighter Command during the Battle
of Britain, in his despatch paid tribute
to the two Canadian squadrons. "No.
242," he wrote, "became one of the
foremost fighting squadrons in the
Command. No. 1 (Canadian) Squad-
ron also came into the line and
acquitted itself with great distinc-
tion." His prayers rode with the tew.

SEPTEMBER 1960
5
Personal Recollections of a Pilot
By AIR COMMODORE E. M. REYNO, AFC

(The author, currently a student at the Imperial Defence

College, has had a distinguished RCAF career in the 20
years since the days which he recalls here. Returning to
Canada f ram Britain in 1941, he held various instructional
posts and was awarded the AFC for his contribution to the
BCATP. Post-war tours followed in Greenwood, Vancouver,
Toronto, Trenton and Ottawa. He served as deputy AOC
(administration) at ADCHQ, St. Hubert, before returning to
the UK on his present assignment. - Editor.)

J F ANYONE had told me as I left the on them all. Those days were certain-
Iv momentous ones and beyond a
The squadron was designated vari-
ous states of alert which we simply
Convocation Hall of St. Mary's Uni-
shadow of doubt some of the feats called "The State". "Readiness" meant
versity in May 1936, with a sheep-
skin in one hand and holding the world performed during the period have the 12 aircraft had to be so positioned
by the tail with the other, that four made aviation history. and ready that they could all be off
years later I would be in the thick of Our Canadian squadron, under the the ground within five minutes of a
aerial battle over Britain I simply command of a squadron leader•, was call being sounded. The other states
would have thought he had gone off sub-divided into two flights each were 15 minutes available, 30 minutes
his rocker. Now two decades have commanded by a flight lieutenant. available, and of course our favourite
elapsed and memories of those ex- Total number of pilots was about 25 state, "Released". The squadron in-
citing days inevitably return. although normally only 12 flew at one telligence officer always notified pilots
One could take any day during the time. and ground crews of the particular
period 15 August to 10 October 1940, state for the next 24-hour period.
while the Battle of Britain was at its now G/C E. A. McNab, OBE, DFC Most of the time, however, it was
height, and make the same comments (ret.) quite simple - just "Readiness at

SCRAMBLE was the command which sent RCAF pilots .,, minutes later they were searching out the invading
racing to their Hurricanes.. . Nazi enemy.

>
(lard@ii=»
I
seq

I'

6
THE ROUNDEL
J
 Dawn". That meant turning out of a vellow-nosed Messerschmitt 109s. hit in the gas tank by an incendiary
warm bed in a comfortable mess at · A few dark specks in a great ex- shell and bursts into a great ball of
0330 hrs. and reporting to the squad- panse of grey sky ahead of us is un- flame. It first rears a little and then
ron dispersal area on the aerodrome doubtedly our target. Another friendly plummets towards its final landing
by 0400 hrs. just before the first squadron of Spitfires passes just ovel" ground. A small black speck is seen
beams of the morning arose from the us and the leader waves his wings in to leave the smoking mass, which
misty eastern Thames. Each pilot on traditional greeting. The specks come eventually becomes a large white
call dressed in a "Mae West", fixed closer and their long tapering fuse- swinging mushroom dangling in space,
his parachute and helmet in his lages mean Domiers. There are 15 of and you can almost hear the sighs of
machine to facilitate a quick getaway them at about 20,000 ft. and we can relief from the other Hurricane pilots.
and returned to the dispersal hut to see about the same number of cannon- Each pilot uses up all his ammunition
await the inevitable call. On this firing Messerschmitt 11 Os escorting and then points the nose of his air-
particular day the call came a bit them, hovering nervously in the back- craft towards the aerodrome and
earlier than usual - at 0715 hrs. The ground. comes down the long imaginary hy-
loudspeaker in the hut droned out the Ve manoeuvre for position and the potenuse to land and report. Combat
orders: "Canadian squadron patrol squadron leader gives the attack reports are signed and the intelligence
Croydon 25,000 ft." signal. The line-astern formation be- officer asks innumerable questions.
comes a sweeping echelon to star- Then the results are out. Two of our
board and throttles wide, clown we go machines have not returned with the
Twelve pilots run like mad for their on the Dorniers -- knowing that the rest but we saw one pilot bale out.
aircraft which have already been Messerschmitt 110s will be well look- The 'phone rings: "Please report
started by the well trained and ex- ed after by the Spitfires. The air be- when your squadron is refuelled and
tremely efficient crewmen. The hum comes suddenly filled with tracers re-armed and return to the state of
of idling engines becomes a mighty from the very active rear gunners of readiness". All goes normally until
roar as 12 Hurricanes climb into the the bombers, reminding us for all the about lunch time, 1220 to be exact,
sun. Up, up, up, in a long line astern world of a snow squall. Then almost when we are enjoying egg sandwiches
formation in sections of three, circling simultaneously each Hurricane begins and coffee. Then comes the monotone
for the all-important height advantage its eight-gun tattoo and things happen again. "Canadian squadron patrol
and the squadron takes up cruising fast. The Dorniers are not able to base 20,000 ft." More running about
formation and levels out at 25,000 ft. maintain formation under the con- - more engines roaring - and then
"Hostile raid clue south" comes the centration of fire and slowly break the steady drone of 12 Hurricane en-
terse radio warning from the control away. Each Hurricane chooses a tar- gines in close formation-the squadron
officer on the ground. The squadron get and several bursts of flame and is away again. The medical officer and
weaves its way southward, every pilot smoking engines denote the end of at the intelligence officer watch the
alert, looking upwards and behind, least some of the enemy. machines until thev become too small
always wary of being jumped by One Hurricane receives an unlucky to see and then return nervously to
Remains of a Dornier 17 on a beach somewhere along . and a Heinkel 111, with broken bock symbolic of
the south-eastern English coast.. . the Luftwaffe ofter the Battle of Britain.

• 'pis.e ."4wvs
%se •

SEPTEMBER 1960 7
 A group of No. 401 San. pilots (l to r.): F/O W. P. Sprenger, F/O O. J. Peterson, F;L W. R. Pollock
(adjutant), F/O P. B. Pitcher, S/L E. A. McNab (squadron commander), F/O P. W. Lochnan, F/L E.
M. Reyno, F/O E. W. Beardmore, F_/O S. T. Bloiklock (intelligence officer) and F'O R. W. Norm.

drink their coffee. Up, up again, of wide-awake restfulness. vicinitv. Over." The squadron spread
through the great bank of cumulus Promptly at 1645 hrs. the loud- fanwise into search formations at a
cloud at 6,000 ft. and out into the speaker blares: "All squadrons to signal from the wing commander and
new world above it- 10,000, 15,000 readiness for wing patrol". The quiet heads begin to swivel about in earnest.
and finally the weary altimeter once atmosphere becomes alive and this The command comes "Squadron at-
more reaches 20,000 ft. time we can hear the air-raid sirens tack formation No. 1 attack -
Flattening out to begin our patrol, of London as we go running to our No. 1 attack".
we see the winding Thames glistening machines. Twelve Merlin engines Full throttle and a long looping half
through the holes in the fire bank far cough into life and we are away roll straight down on the target -
below. Then over the radio comes the again. As we climb ground control this time more Heinkels and Dorniers
advice "Enemv aircraft have returned advises: "Canadian squadron will and Messerschmi than we ever
across the Channel Canadian rendezvous with two squadrons to thought possible. A rolling, twisting
squadron return to base". The squad- form wing at 20,000 ft. over base, maze of aircraft some spinning
ron leader gives the signal to form then patrol Southampton 25,000 ft." clown out of control-- some in flames,
dose formation and down we go Thirty-six Hurricanes in war-paint white swinging mushrooms floating
again, wing tip to wing tip, until soar southward, weaving like a long down- all flash bv in the space of
finally we make a steep diving turn spotted snake towards the English three short minutes. One by one the
in over the aerodrome like one big Channel. Off to the left and a few Hurricanes return home, some limping
machine. After landing, in answer to thousand feet below are a few black a bit, and the tally is made: "Three
12 unspoken queries the intelligence puffs, bursting anti-aircraft shells, and destroyed for sure, three probably,
officer announces: 15 minutes avail- off to the right far below the evening three damaged. One of our aircraft
able until 1700 hrs., then readiness sun glistens on the barrage balloons forced down at Tangmere with a
till dusk". The squadron, this time on protecting precious targets. shell through his oil line. State
wheels, arrives ten minutes later at The voice comes again slowly and back to readiness till 2100 hrs., then
the mess for a brief two hour period distinctly "hostile aircraft in your released."

8 THE ROUNDEL
 gp

'. il,
.. ,, , .. . . . . +I
.» ,\l
s£f±al:C%% 4
St. George's Chapel of Remembrance at RAF Stn. Biggin Hill contains 12 stained
gloss windows commemorating the squadrons which fought in the Bottle of Britain
from this airfield. A Spitfire and Hurricane stand guard at the entrance gates.

At 2100 hrs. the welcome telephone This, as I recall it, was a typical had ever come across was the tiny
call comes releasing us, and we move day during the late summer of 1940. village of Woking in Surrey. Ironi-
off, first to the mess for a quick clean Here are two or three personal stories cally soon afterwards, he was buried
up and then off in a bus to the which still are clearly etched in my near this little village in the cemetery
"Orchard", the friendly pub two miles memory 20 years later. which is the final resting place of
clown the road. The driver, a corporal, Flying Officer R. L. Edwards, a many Canadian servicemen.
can see like a hawk and he is used to personal friend of mine, was the first Flying Officer 0. J. Peterson was
black-out driving after four months RCAF officer to be killed in action
of it. also a close friend, having been a
during the Battle of Britain. He was member of the old No. 1 Sqn. in
"There goes 'Moaning Minnie' shot down during the squadron's first Canada before it amalgamated with
again," says the CO, somewhat dis- real engagement over the Thames No. 115 Sqn. from Montreal. He
interestedly, and the mournful wail of Estuary when we were sent to attack developed into one of the keenest
the sirens tells the same old story a large number of Dornier aircraft. pilots in the squadron and this
poor old London is in for it again The fire from the Dornier's rear gun- characteristic almost proved his un-
tonight. The last echoes have scarcely ners was extremely intense and his doing during our fourth major en-
died away when the rumbling sounds aircraft received several direct hits. gagement in August 1940.
of our own anti-aircraft gunfire can While helping to sort out F /0 One of Peterson's pet habits was to
be heard and flashes seen in the Edward's personal effects following get so close to an enemy aircraft that
distant south-eastern sky. his crash, I came across a little diary he would be certain of hitting it when
"What's the state for the morning, he had been keeping up until a few he fired his guns. On this particular
Sir?" days before his death. In the diary day he got so close to a Dornier 217
"Readiness at dawn again. The was an annotation to the effect that, that pieces flew off the enemy aircraft
other squadrons got hit pretty hard on his travels through England during
today. ·> and hit the windscreen and canopy
the month he had been there, the of his own machine. Unfortunately he
prettiest and most peaceful place he did not have his goggles covering his
SEPTEMBER 1960
9
 after the usual few rounds of beer
eyes, and his eyes literally filled with of the few chaplains of any servif© most of the lads crowded around the
tiny pieces. of plexi glass. In spite of who had been a fighter pilot in Wor
piano and went through all the old
the fact that he could barely see and War I and he wore his old RFC
Rabelaisian ditties. F /L Cochram
every blink of his eyelids caused him wings with considerable pride. Also
he was a wonderful chaplain in every knew all the words and melodies
excrutiating pain, he managed to get in fact he led the singing in most of
his aircraft safely back to Northolt. wav and he had earned the respect
and admiration of all ranks and all them.
The medical officer, Captain Rankine, Shortly before 2300 hrs. some of us
took him in hand immediately and in denominations. It was certainly not
chance that eventually earned him began to break off for the evening
less than two days Peterson was back and then with a bang on the piano
operating. Unfortunately he was shot the position of senior chaplain in the
RCAF a few years later. the padre called for silence and said
down a few days later and was one something to the effect that he would
of the first three pilots in the squadron One of Cockel's ( as we all knew
him) favourite pastimes was to gather like to hear one more before we went.
to be killed. The song he played and led off in
The first time the Canadian squad- the lads around the piano in the mess
when flying had finished for the clay. singing was that beautiful old hymn
ron was bombed on the ground oc-
One of these occasions stands out "Abide with Me", and I have never
curred on or about l August 1940.
very prominently in my memory. heard it sung with more gusto and
At that time we were based at Croy-
Flying had finished a little earlier than sincerity. I will never forget the look
don but used to fly across London to
Northolt Airfield for operational usual because of bad weather and of satisfaction that came over his face
training every day. On this particular as he rose from the piano, said good-
0 his son F/CD. R. Cockram is currently
day I was detailed to bring an air- undergoing aircrew training., night and went off to bed himself.
craft which had been having under-
carriage trouble back from Northolt.
I landed at Croydon about 1600 hrs.,
delivered the aircraft to the mainte-
nance hangar and went to the Croy-
don Hotel on the base which served
as an Officers' Mess. It was an ex-
Raids, Rules and Regrets
tremely warm day so I took a shower
and was relaxing on the bed in my (This extract from the book Two Thirds of an Airman" was written by
room when at about 1715 the air-raid Miss Margaret Horton about life in the W.A.A.F. during the days of the
sirens sounded. About three minutes Battle of Britain. Now a member of the RAF Association, Miss Horton holds
afterwards some 15 Junkers 88 broke the dubious honour of being the only airwoman to have been inadvertently
off from a larger formation on its way taken for a flight on an aircraft's tailplane.- Editor.)
to the London docks and bombed our
airfield heavily. Reprinted courtesy AIR MAIL
Confusion reigned supreme for
about ten minutes. I dressed as quick-
ly as I could and made my way down- J/, worked at high pressure in that "No, chaps," said the S.O.A. geni-
stairs through the dust and smoke and momentous year of 1940, with all ally, "that was mud."
broken glass of the hotel. Many of the leave stopped and the seven-day week In spite of deficiencies in W.A.A.F.
buildings were on fire and one bomb relieved only by a very occasional equipment- for the first year it did
hit the station armoury which had Sundav afternoon. But never once not include a greatcoat, obliging us to
thousands of rounds of ammunition were we expected to relax the for- go about in shapeless raincoats with
in storage. When the ammunition was malities proper to the dignity of a detachable linings - discipline in
all exploded I went over to the main Group Headquarters -- never on duty,
office building where S/L Ernie dress was more severe than in later
that is. years of comparative plenty.
McNab, the squadron commander, Once in a way a Sunday afternoon
had his office. Strangely enough, the Even when bitter weather and
hockey match, open to volunteers of flooded roads made it almost impos-
building was still standing but his any rank, sex or service on the camp,
office was no longer there for it had sible to keep one's feet warm and
literally reduced us all to common dry, ankle socks were forbidden except
received a direct hit which removed level, for play was rough and the
the floor just as though it had been by special permission from the M.O.
field slippery - giving as much op- And to take off a jacket in warm
cut by a power saw. Luckily for S/L portunity for paying off old scores as
McNab he was still at Northolt with weather was practically Follies Ber-
did the crowded camp dances. gere.
the other members of the squadron. "I hear you covered yourself with
The squadron chaplain was F /L "I wish you wouldn't come into my
glory in the match yesterday, sir," department half naked, miss!" I was
(later A/C) the Reverend W. R. said one of the younger officers one
Cockram, now deceased. He was one Monday morning. surprised to hear a corporal admonish
a particularly decorous young air-
10
THE ROUNDEL
 Our corporal was summoned to the explosives and that this was the end.
orderly room when my verses fell "Good-bye," I said aloud, though
into Flight's hands, to reappear there was no one to hear. But the
shortly in a most uncharacteristic winged terror sped on its way scat-
state of giggles, bearing a copy of tering nothing more than firebombs.
King's Regulations that Flight had I had had enough, however. Grop-
sent for me to amend, with some ing into dressing-gown and slippers,
moral observation about Satan find- I slipped out into the dimly lighted
ing mischief for idle hands. corridors, where I met two Home
Guards who said there were fire-
TO VICTORY HOUSE
bombs on the roof.
Shortly after these discreditable Could I help, I begged. Yes, I
events I was posted to London for could ask the proprietress for another
recruiting work. shovel and bring it up to them, they
It seemed a shattering blow to be said as they hurried on.
raft from defence work, which had Our hostess, sleepily settled in her
taken all my efforts for the last nine armchair in the basement, showed an
months, and be thrust from the com- almost excessive imperturbability. The
radeship, the jokes and the hardships fire was upstairs, she was down, and
"I wish you wouldn't come into my of life on an aerodrome into the it seemed impossible to convince her
department half naked ..• civilian atmosphere of a recruiting that this comfortable state of affairs
station. might not last indefinitely.
I pined for the military atmosphere Failing to arouse in her any interest
woman one morning. His stricture, of an aerodrome, for parades and in my search, I at length found a
though severe, was not unmerited - inspections, and for "Halt! Who goes shovel for myself and took it to the
her top pocket button was unfastened. there?" out of the wintry dusk as you scene of action.
MUST BE READY made your way back from deserted It was disappointing to be met on
Headquarters to the cheerful riot of the last Right of stairs by one of the
We might miss meals because we the billet. ("Friend!" you used to fire-fighters and forbidden to come
were kept late at work. We might shout to the invisible sentry, and were any nearer, but I found that negoti-
have to be posted or discharged wise not to move till commanded, ating the many abrupt and unexpect-
because only strong constitutions "Advance," or, if he happened to ed flights of stairs on my way down in
could bear the strain of overwork know you, something like, "Advance, entire darkness supplied me with
combined with erratic food and make- Joan Smith, and be recognized.") quite as much excitement as I wished.
shift accommodation. Still we must Victory House at that time was Next morning I walked to Victory
be ready to present ourselves in the being used for training recruiting House through a dripping, smoking
officers' room immediately the buzzer staff as well as for enrolling volun- London, some of its great blocks of
sounded at any moment of the day, teers and the idea was that we should buildings piles of rubble, others,
must accept even impossible orders stay there a few weeks before being blackened skeletons still being hosed
with apparent compliance and must posted to recruiting stations through- by weary, red-eyed firemen.
never query the omniscience of our out the country. Shopkeepers were shovelling up
chief. This was my first real introduction broken glass preparatory to doing
Letters, however confusedly dic- to the blitz, and landmines were business in that icy spring weather
tated, must be returned to him clear falling uncomfortably close while I in shops "More open than usual," as
in meaning, but pity help us if he was in my bath on the night of April they proclaimed on notices on what
realised that we had tampered with a 16, the date of the "Terror Raid." A remained of doors.
word of his august -- and frequently large part of Bloomsbury was already Elderly housewives, their faces
incomprehensible- script. missing and, judging by the nearness puckered from lack of sleep, were
Our anxieties in this department of some of the cracks, the wind would starting their early chores before
were added to by a flight sergeant have a still clearer sweep across our setting out on the daily round of food
who habitually blamed us for our already draughty square by morning. queues.
officers' shortcomings. One day, goad- Yet these men would give me, a
ed past bearing, I wrote some disre- FIRE BOMBS
stranger in uniform, articles normally
spectful verses on the subject of the A dive-bomber swooped and a reserved for regular customers. And
all-powerful N.C.O. and put them house crashed a few doors away. these women would raise their tired
where the great man could not fail Then a machine came across the eyes from the doorsteps they were
to see them. Fortunately, he had a housetops dropping missiles at regular scrubbing to give me a smile and
sense of humour and the return shot intervals and in my inexperience I "God bless you, dearie," as if the
was neat and appropriate. thought that it was loosing high burden of the war had been mine.

SEPTEMBER 1960
11
 Now they fly together for NATO:

THE MAPLE LEAF

[%% young RCAF flying instructor

demonstrated with a classic sweep of
his hands just how his student pilot
must position his Sabre jet fighter
when the two of them went into a
formation turn. The even-younger
student listened intently, putting in
the odd question to make sure he
understood exactly what was wanted.
All points checked, the pair hoisted
parachutes on their shoulders, grab-
bed flying helmets and walked out of
the pilots' room toward the flight line.
The routine was typical of what
goes on every day at RCAF flying
schools - but in this case the student's
cap and tunic, hanging on the wall,
bore the insignia of the German Air
Force, and the waiting Sabres had
Major P. Schauder and SL D, Warren, in a FW190 and a big black maltese crosses painted on
Spitfire, respectively, were in on the Dieppe operations in their wings.
1942. Now they collaborate in operating No. 10 Woffen- At No. 10 Waffenschule (Weapons
schule. School), on the outskirts of Olden-
burg, a group of 41 RCAF officers
Cpl. E. Bieker helps Feldwebel H. Krebbel pock o parachute. and NCOs are playing an active role
in the new German Air Force which
is adding to NATO's operational
strength in Europe.
The school corresponds to an RCAF
Operational Training Unit and is at-
tended by aircrew prior to joining a
squadron. At the Oldenburg Waffen-
schule young German NCO and
junior officer student pilots- unter-
offiziers and leutnants- learn to fly
the Canadian-built Sabre jet, and
having learned to fly it, go on to learn
how to use it as a fighting aircraft.
Fighter tactics form an important part
of the course, and all students practise
at the NATO gunnery range off the
island of Sylt in the North Sea.
ADVISORS ONLY
The Canadian advisory group ar-
rived at Oldenburg in April 1958, the
result of an agreement between
Canada and Germany calling for
12
THE ROUNDEL
AND THE MALTESE CROSS
By WING COMMANDER R. V. DODDS,
No. l Air Division Staff Officer Public; Relations

~~

~
'
r
I
'no»»» ·--i&
cg
{-'

®lugged
=j es
- - ......... 4 re..-=--~

RCAF and GAF airmen inspect o Sabre on Oldenburg tarmac.

provision of assistance in the operation "Our job isn't to tell the Germans sistance was provided in connection
of the school. The Canadian assistance they have to follow specific proce- with the translation of engineering
is provided on a repayment basis. dures" explained the RCAF chief orders. About a quarter of the German
Majority of the aircraft flown at technical officer S/L A. V. Pudsey. groundcrew technicians at Oldenburg
Oldenburg are Canadian-built Sabres. "Both on the technical end and the have received training of some sort
Canada gave Germany 75 Mark 5 operational side we merely point out at Air Division Wings.
Sabres under mutual aid, and a our way of doing it, and explain why
further 225 Mark 6 Sabres were we do it that way, and it's their ONCE AN RCAF BASE
purchased by Germany from the business to decide whether to follow The base is located about three
makers. our procedure. Usually they do, miles from Oldenburg - a bustling
Like the aircrew, RCAF ground although sometimes, perhaps for city of 125,000 in northwestern Ger-
technicians ( all top men selected on specific reasons beyond their control, many, less than an hour's drive from
the basis of trade proficiency and they can't." the great port of Bremen. It was built
thorough familiarization with the The provision of the advisory group before the Second World War and
aircraft) work alongside their German is not the only way in which Canada's iron grill work in the big dining hall
counterparts, advising them on RCAF NATO Air Division has been helping in the officers' mess bears the date
methods of maintaining and servicing in the new GAF. German pilots have "1936". Large brick hangars and
the Sabre and all its components. been checked out on Sabres at the other buildings still carry traces of
Air Division Wings, and have been wartime camouflage paint, but there
RCAF personnel also work in the
given time on the Sabre Right simu- is no visible evidence of wartime
Reid's control tower and in the mobile lators. Ground personnel have been bomb damage.
ground controlled approach unit, given lectures and on-the-spot train- Used during the war primarily as a
which guides aircraft coming into the ing with regard to the operation and bomber base by the Luftwaffe, Olden-
field under pour visibility. maintenance of the aircraft, and as- burg was an RCAF unit briefly after

SEPTEMBER 1960 13
 a» A
¢ 3;
p.
ills
+U,} >-f,
s»4 ' hh
l

",
[hie !

F/O W. G. Hollingshead and Hauptman E. Dieter, both flying Cpl. M. Splane instructs Germon GCA controllers.
instructors at No. 10 Waffenschule.

the war's end and was used as a of the groundcrew. Radio contact der was a Luftwaffe fighter ace during
fighter base by the RAF until late in between the control tower and air- the war and he and Warren have
1957. Traces of the RAF's stay can craft is in English, as emphasized by talked about the day they were both
he seen in the occasional English- a large sign on the door leading up involved in the Dieppe raid.
language signs about the hangars and to the tower which stipulates "English On that clay in 1942, S/L Warren
particularly in the English-style Only Spoken". This isn't clone for the was a 20-year-old fighter pilot and
houses built as married quarters, special benefit of the Canadians at flew four Spitfire missions over Dieppe
some of which now are occupied by Oldenburg, although it does make out of Eastchurch in the UK. Schau-
Canadian families. The remainder things easier for them, but is the cler was 2l years old and Rew seven
now house GAF families, with some result of NATO agreements which missions over Dieppe in FW 190s out
families of UK personnel stationed at extend to other non-English speaking of Abbeville in France. "For all we
nearby RAF bases. forces. know, we might have taken passes at
Several officers and NCOs spoke The Canadians at Oldenburg point each other," reminisced S/L Warren.
German well before thev were moved out that the German staff pilots and Youngest of the Canadian pilots,
to Oldenburg, but the majority spoke ground technicians there are working and serving with the others as a
none at all. Now, most of the Cana- under two handicaps. These are their flying instructor, is F /0 W. Van
dians can get along reasonably well, relative unfamiliarity with modern
< and some are fluent. As FS Cecil
Oene. At 22 he's a fully qualified jet
jet aircraft and the natural results of pilot with four years RCAF service
Hicks, an aircraft instrument and a void of 12 or 13 vears absence from and is married, with two children. Yet
electrical technician, said of his four- military flying.
vear-old son Peter: "Mv wife and I when Warren and Schauder were over
The RCAF officers and NCOs Dieppe together back in 1942, young
didn't even realize he knew a word generally steer clear from discussing
of German until one day when a Ger- Van Oene was going on six, a fact
politics with their German colleagues, that fills the two still-youthful veterans
man friend came in. Peter started although it isn't too unusual to see
talking to him in German that he'd with some awe. "My gosh, you could
one of the older RCAF flyers chatting look around and see your grandson
picked up from his playmates and it wartime "shop" with one of the GAF
nearly bowled us over." flying No. 2 in the formation with
staff members of his same age.
you," remarked S/L Warren, reflect-
OPERATIONAL PROBLEMS S/L D. Warren, DFC, OC of the ing on the way the years go by.
RCAF advisory group, has an office
Some knowledge of the language, in the base of the control tower with WARTIME VETERANS
in fact, is essential to the RCAF men a connecting door leading to the
for while all the German officers and· Majority of the German officers are
office of Major Paul Schauder chief
students speak English, this isn't true flying instructor at Oldenburg. Schau- wartime veterans, many with extensive
service on the Russian front during
14
THE ROUNDEL
 Sgt. l. Head and Oberfeldwebel H, Bergemann check in Dining-in at Oldenburg officers' mess.
mutual aid supplies from Canada.

the war. Recently posted from Olden- plained one young RCAF pilot after These dining-in nights are restrained
burg, but having served with the a Sabre Hight in company with a affairs. The atmosphere is friendly
Canadians there during most of their Luftwaffe pilot who was already a and informal. The meal may consist
period at the German base is Major combat veteran when the Canadian of bread, including the famed pum-
Erich Hartmann, who distinguished lad was in short trousers. "It may have pernickel, sausages and cheese.
himself as a crack Luftwaffe fighter worked 15 years ago, but it sure Except for a few who may go down-
pilot Hying against the Russians on doesn't work today."
the Eastern Front. Like many of the stairs for a game of table tennis or
other German personnel at the Olden- SOCIAL LIFE
German bowls. it's all over by 10
burg base he was imprisoned by the o'clock.
The Canadian families at Olden- At the Oldenburg control tower
Russians following the war's end. In
his case he spent 10 years in a Rus- burg are few in number, and they and in the mobile ground controlled
sian prison, being released only in have no organized recreational pro- approach unit a tri-service atmosphere
1 955. grams and entertainment. This has prevails. A USAF flying control
Commanding officer at Oldenburg encouraged them to develop ac- officer works in the tower alongside
is another veteran of the skies over quaintances with German families, RCAF and German personnel, and a
the Russian front, Oberstleutnant just as the children play with German USAF master sergeant works with
Herbert Wehnelt. A 41-vear-old flver youngsters. RCAF personnel in the GCA truck,
who joined the Lufwaffe in 1938, he From time to time, the Canadian assisting and instructing German
now holds the equivalent rank of officers attend a "Herrenabend" or NCOs along with the RCAF in-
wing commander in the new GAF. "Gentlemen's Evening" given in the structors.
The contrast between some of these officers' mess. Main feature of the This isn't the first time that RCAF
German veterans and the younger evening is a simple meal in the large men have been stationed at Olden-
Canadian "jet jockies" is interesting. dining hall, at one end of which the burg, although the circumstances are
While impressed by their demonstrat- German Hag hangs in company with vastly different. Following the war's
ed professional ability, they refuse the sky-blue RCAF ensign. The air end, Canadians served there with
to be awed, and look on Second force Hag was in place in the dining 8402 Air Disarmament Wing. Now
World War combat flying as "back in hall at Oldenburg when the Cana-
the old days", they are serving to aid in the growth
dians arrived, and just how the Ger- of the new German Air Force, which
"Gosh, I kept telling him he mans located it is a bit of a mystery is today spreading its wings to fly for
couldn't shale me ofl his tail by to them. However, they feel that it's NATO and to help in maintaining
trying that ooh-eaten stunt", com- a pleasant touch. peace and deterring aggression.
SEPTEMBER 1960
15
 [,% month the doors of Canada's tri-service with the arrival of the first
Services Colleges swing open to com- army personnel. The main building
mence the 1960-61 academic year. at Royal Roads is the old home of Sir
The incoming group of officer-cadets James Dunsmuir, former premier of
will number approximately 360. For British Columbia and lieutenant
the freshmen classes at Royal Roads governor of that province from 1906
and College Militaire Royal de St. to 1909. In addition to the "castle",
Jean, four difficult years lay ahead. the campus also includes several
The cadets at Royal Military College, modern buildings which were built to
who are graduates of either Royal handle the increased requirements.
Roads or C.M.R., will have reached The college itself got its name from
the half-way point of their chosen
careers. the off-shore anchorage in the Strait
of Juan de Fuca.
Royal Roads, located near Victoria,
B.C., began its military existence in The students at Royal Roads have
1941 as a training school for RCNVR a new commandant this year in the
sub-lieutenants. In August of the fol- person of C/C A. F. Avant DSO
lowing year it became the Royal DFC. The accompanying photographs
Canadian Naval College. In 1947 give an insight into the most westerly
RCAF students attended the college and certainly the most beautiful of
and in 1948 the institution became the Canadian Services Colleges.

16 THE ROUNDEL
Photostory by SQUADRON LEADER LLOYD WALKER
 It Happened 20 Years Ago: By WING COMMANDER R. V. MANNING, DFC
Air Historian

GRADUATION OF THE FIRST PILOT COURSE, BCATP

Ts-rr: years ago this month, o The pilot course at Camp Borden (W/C ret.) as OC and S/L D. S.
30 September 1940, 39 student pilots was made up of 45 LACs, fresh from Blaine ( now A/C) as deputy. Later
won- their wings at No. 1 Service newly-opened elementary Flying Train- in the summer S/L Kennedy replaced
Flying Training School, Camp Bor- ing at flying clubs across Canada, and S L Kerr when the latter was trans-
den, and gained for this course the four PPOs who had been left behind ferred to Uplands.
distinction of being the first to gradu- by the last course of PPOs to train VIVID MEMORIES
ate under the British Commonwealth under the old order. Borden was a One of the most vivid memories of
Air Training Plan. A course of ob- most appropriate school to have the course members was the awesome
servers which had been going through honour of graduating the first of the spectacle that followed an accident
No. 1 Air Observers School at Malton many. For over 23 years it had been 011 the airfield. The siren blew, all
and No. I Bombing and Gunnery the principal source of trained mili- activity ceased, and a hush fell on the
School at Jarvis at the same time tary pilots in Canada and in the sum- station as three staff cars occupied by
could claim with some justification mer of 1940 its training squadrons
that it was the first BCATP class to the menacing figures of W/C Riddell,
were manned by some of the most S L Kennedy and F /L MacBrien
complete a regular course of aircrew experienced instructors in the RCAF,
training, to have graduates commis- ground slowly towards the perpetrator
When the course started flying in of a wheels-up landing. Tension was
sioned or to proceed overseas. How- July, S/L J. G. Kerr (now A/V/M)
ever, the failure of higher authority relieved and noses were removed
was OC Intermediate Training from hangar windows only when it
to grant this particular observers' Squadron, with S/L W. E. Kennedy
course its wings until after it had became evident that the culprit would
(A/V/M dec.) and F/L W. R. not be hung on the spot but would be
completed the advanced training MacBrien (now A/V/M) as assist-
course at Trenton cost it official permitted to live to fly another day.
ants. Advanced Training Squadron Other memories are of aircraft that
recognition as "No. I Course, BCATP." had the redoubtable "Bull" Riddell were in chronic short supply. Some

On the tarmac at RCAF Stn. Camp Borden, against a backdrop of Yale trainers ...

I
a

18
THE ROLUNDE!
Ansons and Oxfords were in use at the that an aircraft which should have
beginning of the course but towards years of working at the Kingston
trained six men had been lost. Flying Club. Before the war was over
the end, the Intermediate Training
Squadron had been standardized on LIGHTER MOMENTS
he was to put in 3,000 hours instruct-
ing.
Mark I Harvards and 2ales (a French There were lighter moments. One
Air Force version of the Harvard with As graduation day drew near and it
occurred when the class attempted to became evident that this was to be the
fixed undercarriage and instruments introduce some of the democratic
which were calibrated in the metric first pilot course produced by the
practices of civvie street by electing BCATP, arrangements were made to
system-dials and which had to be its own class leader, but it was soon
marked with green lines to show bring distinguished guests from
brought to heel by outraged official- Ottawa and to have extensive press
approximate landing and climbing dom. Another was when the course
speeds). Groundloops were a constant coverage. The occasion also was used
showed itself a winner on Sports Day, to effect the handover of the station
hazard and of the five aircraft put mostly through the efforts of LAC
out for night flying one night, one from G/C A.T.N. Cowley (A/V/M
R. F. Patterson of Richmond, Va., a ret.) to G/C R. S. Grandy (G/C
soon hit an obstruction on the airfield, former intercollegiate and Olympic ret.) The Hon. J. L. Ralston, minister
one turned up on its nose, and the track star. Pat Patterson, one of the of national defence, was guest-of-
other three groundlooped, ending all keenest and most personable members
night flying by 2200 hours. honour and A/C G. 0. Johnson (A/M
of the course, was killed 15 months ret.) pinned wings on the graduates,
Inadvertent spins took their toll. later with 121 (Eagle) Sqn, RAF. exhorting the wearers to avoid com-
After two of the students wrote them- A member of the course who left a promising their careers "by foolish
selves off in one of the more spec- lasting impression on his classmates stunting or mixing gasoline and alco-
tacular crashes of the period, the was Alec Angus, member of a promi- hol." In the general excitement no
students who had been assembled nent Montreal family and an early formal class picture was taken.
soon afterwards were shocked and hi-fi fan who played band music at
sobered by a tense, furious RAF 0530 hours. Whenever he could, he AFTER GRADUATION
member of the staff who told them would add to a book that he was After the graduation ceremonies
that, at a time when the Royal Air writing. A spinning Yale a few months the newly-made pilots were given a
later kept him from finishing it. further 50 hours flying on Harvards,
Force was fighting for its life in the
Another well-remembered student Battles and Nomads in the Advanced
skies of Britain, there could be no
was LAC J. H. "Doc" Simpson (now Training Squadron before being
room in his heart for sorrow for the S/L) who knew more about aero- broken up as a course and posted to
unfortunate students but only regret planes than most of the others from their new duties. The war in Europe

... the first BCATP Wings Parade was held on 30 September 1940,
 had just passed through a critical
phase and there was a general an-
xiousness to get into the fray. When
the transfers came in, however, all
students were to be kept in Canada
to help man the expanding training
machine- most going as instructors
to newly-opened No. 3 SFTS at Cal-
gary and No. 7 at McLeod, Alta. This
was especially frustrating for P/O
Zack Wood who had been in the navy
originally and, when it seemed likely
that he was going to spend the war
idly on a warship in Halifax, harbour,
transferred to the RCAF. He had
hardlv made the change when his old
ship sailed to take part in some gal-
lant action in European waters while
he himself was not to get overseas
until near the end of the war. Another
well-remembered member of the class
hoped to convince the authorities of B oc k row (I . to r . J•. A . B . Whiteford ' K. A. Jones, R. • Patterson, W.I N.
his keenness for operations and his K D B Douglas,
k N R
J. H. Simpson, H. Armstrong, F. C. Colborne. Front row: J. . Jawson, i. Jurke, . <.
unsuitability for a role in the train- Farnham, R. H. Cousins, N. Lougheed, T. Davis.
ing organization by beating up the
Bowness dance hall at Calgary at
J. R. Beirnes J. H. Simpson A. D. Angus
night from an altitude low enough for
the aircraft number to be read. This
feat set in train the sequence of events
which led to his being an LAC pilot
at a wireless school, where he re-
mained until his death in a training
accident.
Most members of the first pilot
course, however, managed to make it
overseas within a year or two, A.L.
de la Haye (now F/L) served with
a Coastal Beaufighter squadron and
F/Ls C. A. Rawson and A. B. White-
ford did training or operational tours
or both. Jack Reed (now S/L) did a •
tour on anti-submarine work and KIWANIS KIDS' DAY 24 SEPTEMBER
then was transferred to transport oper-
ations in time to take part in the Twenty RCAF stations across fighters to helicopters. In addition,
Canada will conduct a half day "open there will be displays of survival gear,
D-Day drops and the tragedy at house" for Canadian youngsters on
Arnhem. Others went to Bomber electronic and radar training devices
Saturday, 24 September, as part of and armament. Tours will be arrang-
Command. Doug Orr (F/L ret.) the fourth annual observance of
earned a DFC and Bar on No. 403 Kiwanis Kids' Day in this country. ed for the children under the joint
(Spitfire) Squadron and J. D. Beirnes Initiated in 1957, the program supervision of the RCAF and the
(S/L dec.) had an equally distin- comes under the co-sponsorship of Kiwanis Club, and an alternate
guished career in the Tiffie Wing until the RCAF and the Kiwanis Clubs of program will be available should the
it was cut short in 1945 by a flying Canada. It gives the children the op- weather prevent out-door activities.
accident. In all, by the end of the war portunity to become acquainted with The "open house" is only one part
15 of the 39 originals of "No. 1 the air force at first hand. On many of a wider community effort aimed at
Course, BCATP" had given their lives of the stations they will have a chance making Canada's youth more aware
to examine the aircraft responsible of the part they will have to play in
in the service of their country.
for Canada's air defence, from jet the future of their country.
20
THE RDAE '±?
MIDNIGHT ] ,ex 1944 No. 409 Squadron
destroyed eight German planes and
in formation with a FW. 190. As
Beveridge and his navigator, F /L
damagecl Ollc. Six of these victories J. W. Peacock, prepared to abandon
were won against Ju. 88s, Germany's their disabled aircraft Beveridge got
IS STILL hest night fighting aircraft, leaving
little doubt that the Nighthawks out-
classed their Luftwaffe counterpart.
stuck in the pilot's escape hatch and
Peacock couldn't get the navigator's
door to jettison. Time was running
Up until this time 409 had seen little out when Peacock, deciding that at
of these aircraft, for it was Hitler's
NOON policy to use them mainlv for home
defence. As the tide of battle rolled
least one should survive the impend-
ing crash, rushed to Beveridge's as-
sistance and pushed him free. There
towards Germany engagements bet- was just barely time for his parachute
ween Mosquitoes and Ju 88s became to open before he hit the ground but
FOR more frequent. Sometimes the Ger-
an (ground stations and our own
Peacock didn't have a chance and
died in the crash.
covered the same area, thus enabling Four nights later S/L J. A. Hatch
our pilots to hear the enemv con- and his navigator, F/L J. Eames
NIGHTHAWKS (rollers manoeuvering the Ju 88s
around the sky. Hitler's night fighters
(HAF), turned the tables on one of
these flV 190 - J11. 88 combinations.
were flown by the best pilots the As they came within visual range of
German Air Force could muster but the two aircraft the FW. 190 turned
they were no match for the Mos- off to starboard and the intrepid
quitoes; by the encl of hostilities No. Johnny followed it, knowing full well
409 had · destroyed 20, probably that at any moment the Ju. 88 would
By FLIGHT LIEUTENANT F. J. HATCH destroyed two and damaged one. start creeping up his tail. But before
Air Historical Section A victory over Germany's night the German pilot had time to com-
fighters on 26 July cost the squadron plete his manoeuver a two-second
one of it most experienced crews, burst from the Mosquito sent the
S/L R. S. Jephsou and F /O J. M. Focke-Wulf spiralling earthwards in
Roberts. They enigaged a Ju. 88 over flames. Hatch turned sharply, probing
Caen and a burst from Jephson's guns the night skies for the other adver-
caused it to explode so violently that sary, but further contacts turned out
the Mosquito was badly shaken up to be friendlv bombers. A week later
by the blast and both engines stop- Hatch and Eames marked up a
ped. Jephson reported via R/T that double-header, shooting clown a Ju.
he and Roberts were going to bale 188 after a running fight and then
out, but on discovering that the latter blasting another Ju. 88 out of the sky.
was injured and unable to move,
Jephson courageously decided to stay CROSS CHANNEL BASES
with the aircraft and try for a crash No. 409 Squadron had the distinc-
landing, hazardous as it was in the tion of being chosen as the first night
dark night. The plane crashed and fighting unit to operate from Euro-
hoth occupants were killed. The story pean soil. On 24 August, stripped of
of the combat was later obtained everything but the bare essentials of
from the log of the controlling CCI. equipment, they flew across the Chan-
nel to Carpiquet, near Caen, where
HEROIC EXPLOITS an advance party under F /L V. L.
On 6 August the squadron suffered Fiksdal, the squadron engineering
another fatality that was also sur- officer, had set up a maintenance
rounded bv heroic circumstances. section. Two weeks later the mobile
w C M. W. Beveridge, DFC, who Nighthawks moved on to St. Andre
had succeeded WC [. W. Reid as and at the end of September they
CO at the end of July, had his own left that badly battered airfield for
aireraft shot down by a Ju. 88 hunting Le Culot.

onclusion of a two-part wartime history of No. 409 Squadron

21
 W 'C J. D. Somerville, DSO, DFC !right) and navigator S/L R. F. Hotton, DFC (right) and navigator
P/OH. G. Beynon. F'LR. N. Rivers, DFC.

At St. Andre the squadron was On the night of 6 October more The clay after W/C Somerville
saddened by the loss of W/C "Mas- excitement developed around Le arrived the Nighthawks set out for
sey" Beveridge who was killed while Culot airfield than the Nighthawks Lille/Vendeville where they were
searching for one of his crews that had seen since moving to the con- quartered in a beautiful old French
had baled out after an attack by a tinent. Early in the evening F /L chateau which had been used by the
German night fighter. The missing Gordon Sproule and F /0 F. G. Wil- Luftwaffe during the German occu-
crew, F/L J Leslie and F/L C. M. kinson were coming in for a single pation. The spacious dining room
Thurgood, subsequently showed up engine landing when their under-
but Beveridge crashed and was killed walls were finished in murals painted
carriage collapsed and the Mosquito in Prussian military design ironically
after running into thick fog. He was finished the run on its belly, much
buried with full military honours in depicting Hitler's dreams of conquest.
to the grief of the already overworked The squadron also fell heir to excel-
the town cemetery of Flavencourt, maintenance crews. Before the run-
about 60 miles north-west of Paris. lent dispersal huts and ground crew
way could be cleared P/O F. E. flight rooms complete with a col-
S/L F. R. Hatton, "B" Flight Com- (Hank) Haley called in on the R/T
mander, now took temporary com- lection of easy chairs, tables, and
to say that he and P/O S. J. (Fairy) double-decker spring bunks for the
mand of the squadron until 10 Fairweather, DFM (RAF), had shot
October when W /C J. D. Somerville, night crews.
down a Ju. 88 and were coming in on On 3 November, No. 410, the
DFC, formerly of 410 squadron, was one engine. Because of the previous
appointed CO. Cougar Squadron, joined the Night-
prang they couldn't land at base and hawks at Lille/Vendeville. Through-
On the same day that W/C Beve- were being diverted when their other
ridge was reported missing, WO Len out their wartime history these two
engine cut out and thev had to take
Fitchett and F/L A. C. Hardy had to units were closely associated; two of
to their parachutes. Just before mid-
leave their aircraft in a hurry when 409's commanding officers, W/Cs
night F/O R. H. Finlayson and his
the port engine ran out of oil. On
navigator team-mate, F /0 J. A. Web-
Davoud and Somerville, were former-
landing they were picked up by the ly with the Cougars while two ex-
ster, touched down with the news
French Maquis who received them Nighthawks, S/Ls G. H. Elms and
that they had destroyed an Me. 110.
royally, treating them to a hearty E. P. Heybroek, became commanding
As a sort of finale to the eventful o These two pictures were among
meal with plenty of good French
evening an aircraft from No. 410 several turned over to the RAF Missing
wine. None the worse for their ex- Research Section by a photographer in
Squadron force-landed at Le Culot
perience, they found their way back Lille, France, after the war. They had been
after destroying a German plane and left with him for developing by someone
lo the squadron and made more news
four days later by scoring the squad- getting badly shot up itself. Fortu- in 409, but the squadron had been suddenly
nately all went well and the squadron moved before the prints were called for.
ron's first kill from a continental air Negatives and prints were passed to
base. diarist summed up the evening's London, thence to Ottawa, where W/C
events as "a fairly good night." Somerville (now G/C) hell » ileify
the personnel,
22
 WO R. E. Henke and FS L. A. Emmerson. F/0s L E. Fownes and R. E. Britten.

officers of 410. At Lille/Vendeville the their comrades on 29 November for the weather man who continuallv
two squadrons enjoyed some good shooting down two Ju. 88s that were forecast rain, snow, fog, and icing.
times together. On many an occasion on the prowl for Mosquito patrols. Yet in spite of the dirty December
when duff ·weather cancelled night About 1900 hours a burst from weather the Nighthawks had a good
flying the rafters in the old chateau Cole's guns sent the first victim down month operationally, thanks to Hitler's
rang to the night fighters' repertoire in flames and half an hour later his committing most of what was left of
of air force and other songs as they cannon ripped into the second Ju. 88 the Luftwaffe to his flash-in-the-pan
gathered round the piano with S/L causing it to explode in the air. Debris offensive in the Ardennes. On the
George Bower at the keyboard. flew in all directions filling the air night of 18 December, three German
( Bower was now on his second tour intake of the Massie. A wing of the night fighters fell before the fire of
with 409). German plane smashed into Cole's 409 crews. One of these kills was
The first three weeks of November aircraft, knocking two feet off the registered by W/C Somerville who
passed so quietly that it seemed as nose and bending the port propeller. therebv made his first tallv with the
if the Luftwaffe was spending the Five minutes later the port engine of Nighthawks; the others were made
winter in quarters but such was not the Mosquito stopped altogether. by P/O F. E. Haley and F/L R. H.
the case. On 25 November both Then the toughest part of the night's Finlayson. A week later, Britten and
squadrons had a lively time. No. 410 operations began - getting safely Fownes accounted for two Ju. 88s.
stole the show with Lt. A. A. Har- back to base with one engine gone The last engagement of the year was
rington ( USAAF) shooting down and a kite that wouldn't trim. They fought by S/L Hatton and F /L Russ
three German aircraft; No. 409 was finally made it to a landing field at Rivers who out-manoeuvered another
close behind as F /0 R. E. Britten Brussels but came in a bit too high German night fighter and destroyed
and F/L L. E. Fownes destroyed and ended up unhurt in an old shell it with a single burst.
one Ju. 88 and damaged another. hole. Their double victory won an
As the new year dawned S/L
There was more "trade" about the immediate award of the DFC.
December brought the inevitable Bower, who had now taken over the
next night but the Germans dropped
thoughts of Christmas and of home; diarist duties from F /0 D. J. G.
enough "window" in the area to upset
85 Group's radar system. Never- on clays off the Nighthawks carefully (Red) Wilkes, indulged in a bit of
theless two crews, WO R. A. Boor- canvassed the shops at Lille, Brus- reminiscing about the old:
man - P/O W. J. Bryant and F/L W. sels, and Ghent for gifts for families It has been one of the most eventful
H. McPhail - F /0 J. E. Donoghue, and friends. A few of the more fortu- (years) in our history, taking the
each made a free lance interception nate ones were able to carry their squadron from practically non-op in
shopping activities further afield to the north of England to fully op in
of a Ju. 87B. France. It saw D/Day with the
WO E. F. ("g") Cole and F/O Paris or London. Ample time for squadron covering the beachhead. It
W. S. Martin won the applause of wrapping the gifts was provided by has seen 45 Huns fall before the guns
 F Os A. Sterrenberg and J. Clarke. F'Os J E. Donoghue and E. Spiller watch LAC J. W. Farrow
work on their Massie.

of the squadron, and also unfortu- !rad cach been awarded the DFC. who clcslroyccl n 'tlfo. 110 on 21 March
nately it has seen some grand friends The next day low cloud and rnin and a ]11. 88 on the 25th.
and comrades take off on their last
fli,rlits. It lias been II l,:,ppy time for eaneellcd all night flying; night slate
the squadron and it can be truthfully was reduced lo one crew at readiness, INTO GERMANY
said that the squadron spirit has never thus enabling the squadron to observe On 18 April the squadron moved
been better than it has in the past the awards with a suitable celebration.
twelve months, onto German soil laking up head-
About a month ofter this occasion quarlcrs at Rheine on lite Ems River.
W/C Somerville finished his tour of The prospeels of i11creascd air nelivity
1945' 5 QUIET BEGINNING duly with No. 409 and was succeeded produced a noticeable lift in morale
After the Ardenes offensive, enemy by Frank Hatton. The former "D" witnessed by great hustle nnd good
air activity came almost to a stand- Flight Commander had already dis- natured boisterousness as the Night-
still in 409's sector. On 23 January tinguished himself as a capable lender hawks prepared to settle down under
Somerville, flying with P /0 Hardy as and an excellent flyer. The news of canvas again. On 23 April 409 broke
navigator, accounted for a Ju. 188 his appointment was welcomed by all its previous records, by shooting
while another crew, F/Os M. C. Kent all members of 409, down no less than six enemy aircraft,
and J. Simpson, made a kill on a In March the weather improved three of them by one crew, F/O E. E.
Ju. 88C. These were the only en- sufficiently for the first softball game Hermanson and F/L D. J. I. Hamm.
gagements in January; in February of the season lo get under way, The Two others fell to F/O J. IH. Skelly
there was only one when Kent and outlook for Hying was better, too, and and PO P. J. Lim, a rookie crew 011
regular night patrols once again be-
Simpson again brought clown a Ju. 88. their first operational flight. The sixth
came the rule rather than the ex- went to P/Os P. J. Leslie and C. N.
Everyone was elated on ] 1 Febru-
ception. Preparations were now going
ary by the news that W /C Somerville Thurgood. With the exception of
ahead for Operation Plunder which
had beer, awarded the DSO, a fitting Hermanson's first target, which was a
was to carry the Allies across the
tribute to his own prowess as well as FW. 190, the German aircraft were
Rhine and into Germany. The night Stukas and ]11. ,52s, troop transports
to the squadron as a whole. The ci- fighters of 85 Group kept constant
that had figured largely in German
tation read in part: "This officer has vigilance lo ensure the German Air
operations in Norway and Crete. The
displayed outstanding efficiency, great Foree didn't operate during the hours
Nighthawks' biggest problem was to
courage and determination, qualities of darkness, hut the Luftwaffe seemed
avoid overshooting these slow flying
which have been well reflected in the powerless lo interfere with the in-
aircraft and the pilots came into the
fine fighting spirit of the squadron he vasion of ils home land and was sel-
attack with flaps and wheels down.
dom in evidence. Two of the very few
commands." At the same time it was
victories won by the Croup in this
I bright moonlight the next night
announced that Britten and Fownes the squadron fired its ms m afger
period went to Britten and Fownes,
for the last time, taking toll of three
24
more C..:ermnn aircraft. P/O Len The Nighthawks now could rest; their the unceasing toil of the ground crew
Fitchett and P /0 Hardy shot clown n war lime flying was over, lo keep the night fighters in the sky.
Ju. 52 with a single burst while S/L VE-Dny witnessed great activity at
B. E. Plumer and P/O H. G. Beynon the Hhcinc airfield. Every few minutes REBORN AT COMOX
destroyed n FW. 190 on the ground Lm,casters. Fortresses and Dakotas On 1 November 195'1, slightly more
when they strafled an aerodrome were landing and taking off busily than nine years after No. 409 (Night
dose to the Hussian clemarcntion Linc. engaged in transporting ex-prisoners of Fighter) squadron was disbanded,
Approprintely enough, it wns W /C war hack to the U.K. A happy climax No. 1I09 (All Weather Fighter)
Hatton who won the squadron's last to the VE-Day cclehrations oceurred Squadron was formed at RCAF
victory, Hatton and Hivers took off at when F/Os A. B. Sisson and D. S. Station Comox on the Pacific coast.
0155 hrs on 24 April. At nbout 0400 Nicholson, who had been shot down The reborn squadron is n CF-100
hrs they were vcclorecl nftcr a bogey over enemy territory on 16 June 1944, interceptor unit in Air Defence Com-
that turned out to be a Ju. 290 four- lound their way hack lo 40D Squadron mand and appropriately bears the
!'11gi11ed bomber. A second blip on after having been liberated from a name. motto and badge of the original
J\iver's radar indicated that a fighter prison camp a few clays previously. uight lighter unit. Although tech-
escort was nearby and Hatton ap- Aller VE-Day the squadron settled nologieal progress has led to changes
proachccl the target with caution. The down to a routine of morning parades in the techniques anti tactics of air
J\losq11ito was suddenly illuminatecl and light duties. The weather was intf•rccption, the basic role of the
bv a series of red and white flares unusually warn and two good swim- pilot-navigator crew remains the same.
which made the pilot manoeuver ming pools in the vicinity of Hhcine The present-day Nighthawk crews well
cvasivclv to
avoid an attack from were frequented after the claily chores know what it is to wait in anxious
astern. When the flares had gone out were done, 011 13 i\lay the squadron readiness for the controller's call to
Halton c.:losed in firing two log bursts moved to Cilzc, Holland, and on 3 chase a bogey and to stare intently as
into the big bomber. Bits and pieces June they headed for their last base they approach the target. asking
fell off as the German plane made a at 'l'\\'t'nlc in north-east Holland, On themselves, "Is it one of the enen1\''s
slow turn lo port then fell and crash- l Jul)• I 9-15, just over fonr years from or one of ours?"
ed with a loud explosion. the day on which is was formed, No. A link with the past was formally
409 Squadron was officially dis- observed in the Comox officers' mess
VICTORY AT LAST banded. Oil 1 ~larch IU:'i8 when \\';C n. F.
The Cennans still had a large num- The last victory by WC Hatton Hatton, DFC, the bst CO of the war-
hcr ol' aircrnft. inclnding ahont 700 and Rivers had raised the squadron's time Nighthawks, presided at a
night fighters, bnt the shortage of total of enemv aircraft destroved to squadron presentation to \\' C T. J.
petrol and the pasting their airfields 61:. In addition they had probably Evans, the first CO of No. 409 (AWF)
had taken fron our bombers left the clt'stron•d nine others, damaged 23 Squadron. I wining the Lrnn•ncc
Lnft wnfl'e in a sad stale. No. 1101) and had also shot down 11 flying A. Steinhardt Trophy for being the
found their few remaining sorties of bombs. While these statisties testify best ADC interceptor unit in 1959
the war to be rather quiet. On 4 May to the fighting spirit of ·409 they do the Comox-based squadron has
news of l he surrender of all German not sum up the squadron's contri- proved itself a ,,·orthy SU('t'L'Ssor lo the
forcl'S in Holland, Denmark and lmtion lo the final viclon·. One must Nighthawks of \\'oriel \\'ar 11. :-.:o.
north western Germany was released. remember the 52 members of 409 -IO\J's grounclcrc,,· ,,ectnnuhtctl an-
Nevertheless, n night state of two squadron who made the supreme other honour even more recently,
aircraft on readiness was maintained sacrifice, the long list of hononrs and winning the Crounckrc,,· EfficiL'llC)'
until 8 Mav when it was formallv awards. the endless honrs flown on Award at tlw JUGO :\DC rocket meet
anouneed that the war had ended, uight patrols am! training flights, and at Cold Lake.

Argus Production Completed

The last of 33 RCA!' Argus anti-submarine aireraft
emerged 011 scht'clule from the Moutreal assembly-line
r
of Canadair Ltd, in July. Like its 32 predecessors which
have been rolling out sine<' ID5G. it \\'ill j,>in ~laritime
Air Co1111na11d t,; prnll'ct Canada and h,•r NATO allies
from st•almrrll' attack against shipping and from sub-
marine-launched missile bombardment of coast and inland
cities. When production began, the 'Tl-ton Argus was the
largest aircraft ever hilt in Canada; that distinction has
recently been taken over Iy the CC-T06 turbo-prop
transport which has a ess weight of 102% tons, now in
pohuction to» th>e \ at Canadair,

SF/I 11'.A."" ,
 I

"Port-time" aircrew ond groundcrew, in training at Winnipeg os

AUXILIARY PREPARES FOR SURVIVAL

Fon two weeks this summer, 11 ceived the first of four Otters which On the second day of camp, four
auxiliary squadrons in Canada re- were scheduled to replace four of the aircrews were detailed for a search
ceived training in preparation for the unit's Expeditors. mission. A Cessna 180 was reported
role thev will be required to fulfil in At that time, two of the squadrons' "lost" north of Kenora and the Expe-
the event of a nuclear attack on young flying officers, R. E. Jarvis and ditor crews were given a five-hour
Canada. H. J. Greenly, were already under- search in which to locate the missing
At a time when manv families were going instruction on handling Otters aircraft.
heading for the beaches or the golf at Station Winnipeg. Two regular The trainees were also taught the
courses, dentists, salesmen, account- force support officers, S/L W. J. methods of assessing various airfields
ants, clerks, high school students and Argue and F,'L A. G. Robertson had and strips. They worked in liaison
university professors from various been checked out on the Otter at an with the militia on evacuating disaster
cities across the nation were Hying earlier elate and will convert auxiliary areas and on such familiar operations
Otters or Expeditors and conducting pilots to the aircraft throughout the as pilot proficiency and long range
simulated searches and 'emergency year,
navigation training.
evacuations. During the summer training four
The squadrons involved in summer Of the 90 trainees at the No. 418
more pilots were converted to Otters Sqn. camp 23 were aircrew. Among
training were: Nos. 400 and 411, as the unit prepared for its new role:
Toronto; Nos. 401 and 438, ;\fontreal; the other trades were air frame, aero
"light transport in the support of engine, electrical and instrument
Nos. 442 and 443, \'ancouver; \:o. military and civilian requirements in technicians, maintenance, accounts
402, Winnipeg; No. 403, Calgary; an emergency", and supply personnel.
No. 406, Saskatoon; No. 418, Namao; In addition to operating Otters, "For a lot of people these are their
and No. 424 Hamilton. squadron personnel were trained on regular holidays," stated 418's C.O.,,
The operations of 418 (Namao mobility exercises and the emergency \\' ,:c 0. \V. Cornish, himself an
Squadron) were typical. Of its total evacuation of civilian populations in Edmonton dentist. And for some
lJO personnel, over 90 flew to RCAF the event of disaster. Some of this such as Sgt. D. T. Dorosh, an elec-
Station \Vinnipeg for their two-week training took the form of unannounc- triC'al technician about the only
camp. Prior to their Edmonton de- ed exercises at nearby towns and air- change in the dav's work was the air-
parture, 418 Squadron had just re- fields. craft. Dorosh, in civilian life, works
for an aircraft firm in Edmonton.
26
THE ROUNDEL
 Rep rint courtesy of the Internatio na l A ssoci a tio n of fire Ch iefs

[Enr year lives are lost when per- head against the door below
sons are trapped in vehicles plunging another one quart of pure oxygen.
opening until the car fills. The One half-pint of oxygen will maintain
into water. Most of the fatalities occur door would almost float open;
because the occupants, trapped under life for one minute. Almost 100% of
small persons could even float submerged vehicle occupants could
water, panic and frantically try to out the open window.
open doors. But bechuse of the pres- get out alive if they did not panic.
• The car lands on its side with The unconscious and those unable to
sure of the water outside the doors windows closed: Keep your
will not open. help themselves are the unfortunates.
head against the door below the A conscious person can get an un-
To escape from a submerged car window opening until the car
the occupants must do an unnatural conscious person out by keeping his
almost fills. Then with a few
thing calmly let the car fill with head above water. This is relatively
inches of space left, take a deep
water. Thev need not drown while breath, open the window and easy as the body is buoyant enough
the car fills, as a pocket of air will open the door or get out and no great weight is involved.
remain in the car, enough in fact to through the window opening. When the pressure in the car equal-
sustain life for about 15 minutes. As A fully expanded adult chest holds izes, grasp him by the hand or by the
the car fills, the occupants must keep about five quarts of air; equal to one clothing at his neck, take a deep
their heads in this air pocket. When quart of pure oxygen. The body also breath, open the door and float out
the water stops rising, the pressure contains five to six quarts of blood the person the same as under water
inside is about equal to that outside full of oxygen which equals about rescue for a drowning victim.
and the doors will open easily. Each
occupant must take a deep breath, illustrations by CORPORAL P. LAROUCHE
open the door and push out and up
to the surface. The air pocket remains
in the car after the door is open so
there is no need to hurry. Following
are a few example situations: y» 4
~ 0 0 0
• The car submerges in an up- ---.,i9--'-•-
right position with the windows o --
],--
open: The car will fill fast as
the water rushes in through the
-~~ .9
0
o» O O

open windows. Brace yourself

against the force of the in-
coming water and keep your
head against the roof in the air
pocket which will form. When
the car is almost full make vour
escape the same way as de-
scribed above.
• The car overturns and rests on
its top: This time the head is
kept against the floor bom:cls
until pressure equalizes; then
open the door and get out.
0
The car lands on its side with
the window open: Keep your

SEPTEMBER 1960
 pealion ]lane Thuanlen
Photostory by S/L R. M. BOWDERY and CPL. W. WHITEHEAD

A+ 1500 hrs. one day the alarm officer commanding the evacuation both military and civil, arrived. Soon
went out from Air Transport Com- operation, decided that the urgency the situation was under control and
mand's Trenton headquarters -- an of the situation required them to fly every person who wished to be evac-
undetermined number of people, directly to Janis Lake where the uated was airlifted out of the area.
resident of Gagnon and Jennine, Que., evacuees were assembling.
were in immediate danger of being Fortunately, the wind died down and
On approaching the Janis Lake
engulfed by a raging forest fire. By the fire was brought under control.
airport a Quebecair aircraft was used
1530 hrs. ten RCAF aircraft, in- as a control centre. The radio set in Within five hours of the first alert,
cluding Dakotas, North Stars and the small control tower at the airstrip an emergency airlift for 758 passen-
Flying Boxcars, were heading for had burnt out some two hours earlier. gers had been gathered and delivered
Seven Islands on the first leg of an Upon landing, the North Star was to the disaster area. Thus, Air Trans-
errand of mercy. quickly loaded to capacity. Then it port Command's motto "versatile and
While enroute to Seven Islands took off bound for Montreal. The ready" was again proved to be no idle
G/C D J. Williams, DSO, DFC, scene was repeated as other aircraft, boast.

Civilian and RCAF aircraft at Janis Lake airstrip.

e
<Do
 F/L J, E. Jean speaks with some of his
passengers en route to Montreal. More
than 450 women and children were
evacuated from fire-threatened Gagnon
and Jennine by civilian and RCAF
emergency airlift.

While her mother looks at the forest

fire, below, Susy Ham tries to deaden
the North Star's takeoff roar .....

. . . . . but her brother David shows

complete unconcern over the excite-
ment.

~·

I ~

LACs R. H. Moorhouse and A. Smith of

No. 2 Air Movements Unit help pas-
sengers disembark at Montreal.

SEPTEMBER 1960
\

\
 This section of THE ROUNDEL

RCAF ASSOCIATION is prepared by RCAF Association

11.Q., 424 Metcalfe St., Ottawa, Ont.

MESSAGE FROM THE NATIONAL PRESIDENT

D ELECATES to the Tenth National Convention of the that the members of the Association have in the future.
It is reassuring to know that in our democratic organi-
RCAF Association have greatly honored me by electing
me to the office of National President. I am deeply cons- zation any member who devotes time and effort to his
cious of the responsibilities of this high office and accept work in the Association may reach the top.
the position with humility. As National President of the There can be no doubt in anv of our minds about the
RCAF Association I shall be succeeding to the high value to Canada of the RCAF Association. It affords us
reputation which was established by my predecessors: as former members of the RCAF the opportunity of
Air Chief Marshal L. S. Breadner, Air Vice-Marshal A. L. devoting our time and efforts towards the support of a
Morfee, Air Vice-Marshal G. E. Brookes, Air Vice-Marshal proud service which has our esteem and affection. This
K. M. Guthrie, Air Vice-Marshal F. G. Wait and Air year will present many challenges and with your con-
Marshal W. A. Curtis. These gentlemen gave unstintingly tinued support it will be my earnest endeavor to make·
of their time and wide experience to help organize and real progress. The strength of the Association is in its
develop the Association to the enviable position it holds Wings and it is my fervent hope that all Wings will in-
today. I sincerely hope I shall prove to be a worthy crease their efforts through the coming year with the aim
successor. of having our organization an integral part of community
There has always been a feeling within the Association life all across Canada.
that the time would come when someone who had pro-
gressed through the ranks would be elected National
President. That I should be the first to assume the
presidency under these circumstances is naturally a source
of great satisfaction; it is also an indication of the faith LEONARD N. BALDOCK

Maritime Wings Visit

Mr. L. N. Baldock has arranged
to visit Wings in the Maritimes Sep-
tember 1G to 26. The tour, which
begins at Edmundston, will take
in Charlottetown, Sydney, Halifax,
Truro, lvloneton, Fredericton and
Saint John. "I am looking forward
with great interest," said Mr. Baldock,
"to my first visit to the Maritime
Wings where I will renew acquaint-
aces with many old friends and I
am sure make many new ones." The
Wings arc making special prepa-
rations for the president's visit and
many outstanding functions are plan-
ned.

Wings Securing New

Quarters
250 (Saint John) Wing new executive: (l to r., front row) A. Buckley, K. Fortune, 103 (Cabot) Wing, Sydney, who
J. Mitchell, D, Clark, and D. MacKenzie. lback row) J. Beardsley, H. Goodwin, were required to surrender their ac-
D. WelsforcJ, l. J\Jorth, G. McCauley and M. Franklin. commodation at the end of this year,
30
THE ROUNDEL
have been successfu l in secur ing new
quarters on York Street and are busy
making renovat10ns. The Wing ex-
ecutive has expressed the hope that
they will be in their new quarters in
September.
424 (Cornwall) Wing members
have been fortunate in securing a
very suitable building for club I
rooms. This climaxes a search which
has been going on for some time and
with the proper accommodation the ~·
Cornwall Wing should easily boast a
membership of 150.
150 ( St. John's) Newfoundland !
te,
Wing members are making plans to '»
brighten the stay of the children of
Sunshine Camp which is located just
outside of St. John's. They plan
regular visits and will take the chil-
dren for drives, on picnics or even to
•
visit their homes. F/O Horry Marshall, 700 (Edmonton) Air cadet FS R. Thornton, of 225 (Taber
Wing, and Cpl. H. Brown, Edmonton Sqn., took time out from summer comp
Indian Air Cadet Sqn., chat with Mr. W. duties to help Penny Goston adjust her
Battle of Britain Fighter J. Arneil at Seo Island air cadet comp. costume at Theatre Under the Stars
Association Mr. Arneil retired lost month as lndion intermission time.
commissioner for B.C.
We have been asked by the Battle
of Britain Fighter Association for
assistance in getting in touch with
aircrew who took part in the Battle
of Britain. Battle of Britain Sunday We would again remind all
The Battle of Britain Fighter As- readers who have failed to re-
RCAFA Wings across the country
sociation is open to those aircrew of new 'Wing memberships that
will once again join with the Regular their name has been removed
the Commonwealth and Allied Air Force in commemorating Battle of
Forces who are entitled to wear the from THE ROUNDEL mailing
Britain Sunday on 18 September. We
Battle of Britain Clasp on their 1939- list. Prompt payment of your
commend to your attention the special dues will insure reinstatement.
45 Star Campaign Ribbons. For section at the front of this issue.
further information please contact:-
The Secretary,
Battle of Britain Fighter Association,
Room 0211, Air Ministry,
Whitehall, London, S.W.I, England.

National Convention Group

Pictures
It has previously been our practice
to publish in THE ROUNDEL, the
group pictures taken at the National
Convention. The number of delegates
attending the convention from the
larger groups has increased to a point
where the required reduction in the
size of the photograph to aceom-
modate our space well take the
picture indiscs·el ¢ is regited In oppreciation of the splendid co-operation afforded to the RCAFA, the members
that we a 1 oiiue the of the Toronto Wings presented on oil painting to W'CJ C. Mirabelli, C.O, of
pull RCAF Stn, Downsview,

s 31
 JUNIOR STAFF SCHOOL OPENS
As institute of higher learning, The three-month course at Staff
unique on the Canadian military School will consist of instruction in
scene, will come into existence on staff training, service writing, service
26 September when the RCAF in- management, administrative proce-
augurates its junior staff school. dures, air force law, regulations and ATTENTION EX-TUSKERS
Known officially as RCAF Staff orders, leadership, organization and
Dear Sir:
School, its main purpose will be to functions of defence agencies, air The staff of No. 413 Squadron is re-
prepare junior officers for staff ap- warfare, and national and world af- writing and bringing up to date the history
pointments. Staff School will give fairs. In addition to 324 hours of of the squadron, and in reviewing old
junior officers training of greater lectures during the six-hour school material we find there are many gaps which
give the story a disjointed appearance and
scope and depth than its now-defunct days, the students will be expected lack of continuity.
predecessor, the Junior Officers' to do two or three hours of homework We are hoping that through the medium
Administrative Course (JOAC). nightly. of THE ROUNDEL ex-squadron members,
The school, which will have a staff Since all staff and students will be retired or otherwise, might be made aware
of 12, will be located at the RCAF given accommodation at the school, of our project and write providing any
personal experiences, items of squadron
establishment on Avenue Road, existing quarters and messes are being interest, anecdotes, ete., however small,
Toronto, the present home of the renovated and enlarged in order to which will simplify this task. We arc
Institute of Aviation Medicine and provide for the influx of personnel. particularly interested in borrowing old
RCAF auxiliarv units. Commandant Initially, there will be 50 officers on squadron photographs which we promise
to return in the condition received.
WC A. R. Ross and his instructors course but, before the end of the year, W IC R. D. Schultz,
are themselves all graduates of RCAF it is hoped to double the enrollment 413 Squadron RCAF,
Staff College. to 100 students per course. With a RCAF Station Bagotville, P.Q.
Inauguration of the Staff School total graduation of 400 students per
will, in fact, mark the beginning of a year Staff School will have one of the THANKS TO 2 AMU
number of changes in the RCAF largest outputs in the RCAF's training
educational program. The aim of Dear Sir:
establishment. Recently I was transferred from Trenton
these proposed changes is to form an There are in the RCAF today 2400 to Gander. The move was made by service
Air Force College composed of the flight lieutenants who have not at- aircraft. My wife and I flew from Trenton
Staff School, Staff College, a central tended JOAC and, since it is beyond in a North Star operated by 426 (T) Sqn.
planning staff and an examination the capability of Staff School to ac- and we were given first class consideration
in every aspect.
unit. With Staff School as a start and commodate the entire backlog, the A certain amount of my furniture and
the possibility of attending Staff Staff School Correspondence Course effects was also moved by aircraft and
College at some future elate, the will be formed next year. Junior through the medium of your magazine I
opportunity will then exist for an officers who successfully pass this cor- wish to thank all personnel of No. 2 Move-
RCAF officer to obtain a professional ments Unit, Trenton, for their considerate
respondence course will be given the and expedious handling of my effects during
education, on a continuing basis, same credit as those who actually the whole move. Not even a fragile light
throughout his career. attend Staff School. bulb was broken.
Cpl. C. P. Barett,
GIVE GENEROUSLY TO YOUR UNITED APPEAL RCAF Station Gander, Nfld,

REQUEST ANSWERED
Dear Sir:
Re the request for the address of Mrs.
Leonard Hancock ( ROUNDEL, Vol. 12,
No. 5) I was advised by S/L Sylvia Evans,
who met her on a tram-Atlantic trip two
years ago, that Mrs. Hancock's address
then was:
Bix Hall,
Henley on Thames,
Oxon. - Tel. Henley 476.
I am afraid that too many of us who
enjoyed Mrs. Hancock's hospitality during
the war at the Air Officers' Leave Club
have allowed the pleasant association to
lapse. Perhaps some of your readers would
like to rectify this situation.
"Let's coll it RED FEATHER ... we know that works!" F /L H. R. J. Gilbert,
1 Air Div. H.Q.

32
THE ROUNDEL
 ,
I.
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I II

'

Two hundred and seventy first-year university students graduated from a

six week HCAF reserve officers school at College Militaire Royal de St Jean.
The cheering students, from 17 Canadian universities, were among the 1500
who took part in the University Reserve and Regular Officers Training Plan
this summer,
 OTTAWA

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