Results: Royal Canadian Air Force Centennial

The RCAF was formed on 1 April 1924. It had three components – a full-time permanent force (regular force), a part-time non-permanent force (air reserve), and a reserve of non-active personnel. No non-permanent units were created at that time as the funding was not available. The RCAF was not an independent organization as it reported to the Chief of the General Staff, the head of the Canadian Militia (the name of the Canadian Army at the time). The RCAF was now a full-time organization with its own orders: the King's Regulations and Orders for the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Pay and Allowance Regulations for the Royal Canadian Air Force. Although its role did include the defence of Canada, this role would take a back seat to flying operations performed for other government departments. Were you aware that 2024 is the 100th Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force?

Beginning in late 1940 these Canadian airmen were joined by hundreds and thousands of other RCAF aircrew who, together with British, Australian, New Zealand and flyers from other Allied nations, had been trained in Canada under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Were you aware that in 1941 they created a Women's Division in the RCAF which lead to other minorities being included?

Two of the three initial RCAF squadrons that deployed to England in 1940 were Auxiliary units - Nos. 110 and 112. Both anticipated serving in France; however, with the fall of that nation, they were relegated to training. The Squadrons were renumbered on 1 March 1941, becoming Nos. 400 and 402 Squadrons and reaching operational status in November and March 1941 respectively. Squadron Leader F.M. Gobeil, Commanding Officer of 242 (Canadian) Squadron and an Auxiliary Active Air Force pilot, scored the RCAF's first aerial victory by shooting down a German BF 110 over Belgium on 25 May 1940. Were you aware that approx 94,000 Canadians served in the RCAf overseas, resulting in 18,000 casualties; 17,000 brave airmen gave their lives?

On the home front, No. 119 Squadron served in an anti-submarine role in the Gulf of St. Lawrence while No. 120 performed a similar role on the West Coast. Both were disbanded in 1944. No. 118 Squadron served in the Aleutians as a fighter squadron until 1943 when it was redesignated No. 438 and deployed to England. They used Lockheed Hudson Bombers. Have you seen any of the WWII Planes?