War Front
Canada in WWI
August 4th 1914 - November 11th 1918
Canadians fight in WWI in Europe. The British declaration of war brought the Dominion of Canada into the war as foreign policy decisions of the British Empire were in the hands of the British parliament. On August 4, 1914, the Governor General declared a war between Canada and Germany. The Canadian Militia was not mobilized and instead an independent Canadian Expeditionary Force was raised.
War Front
British recruit Airmen in Canada during WWI
1914 - 1917
Both the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service sought new recruits in Canada. At the beginning of hostilities, here was no formal military training scheme for aviators. Recruits were expected to do basic flight training in civil schools before proceeding to England to enlist. Over the course of the war many Canadians signed up to join the fledgling British air forces.
War Front
Billy Bishop during WWI
1917
Canadian pilot Billy Bishop wins Victoria Cross as a member of the Royal Flying Corps and would go on to become a top Ace during WWI. Bishop was brought back to Canada to help build the new Canadian Flying Corps. He would later become the Chief Recruiter for airmen during WWII, and his efforts would contribute greatly to the success of the BCATP.
RCAF
Royal Flying Corps Canada during WWI
1917
During the First World War, more than 5,000 Canadian pilots served in Britian's Royal Flying Corps (RFC). The Royal Flying Corps (renamed the Royal Air Force ie RAF after April 1918) established and administered a Canadian based division starting in 1917 to streamline training. The Royal Flying Corps Canada (RFCC) extablished airfields and partnered with numerous local Civilian Training Schools that were largely located along the shore of Lake Ontario. The primary training facility was located at Camp Borden, ON. Courses for new Cadet Officers were run by the University of Toronto. The RFCC was responsible for training thousands of Canadians and hundreds of Americans who headed overseas to serve in British squadrons during WWI. The scheme was successful and it's track record became an inspiration for the BCATP.
Government
Post War Air Board
1919 - 1921
The success of Canada's aviation sector during World War I led the post-war government to believe that it could be effectively leveraged for further national development. With trained personnel, surplus equipment, and aircraft available, the government opted to focus on facilitating civil aviation rather than military aviation as an immediate priority. To achieve this, Canada established the Air Board, which had a primarily regulatory role but emphasized the development of civil aviation over air defense. The Air Board chose to utilize most of the aircraft for civil operations, including forestry, photographic surveying, and anti-smuggling patrols.
The Air Board's approach to air defense involved providing refresher training to former wartime pilots through a part-time, non-permanent air militia called the Canadian Air Force (CAF), which operated under the Department of Militia and Defence.
Government
Department of National Defence
1922 - 1927
In 1922, the Air Board, the Department of Militia and Defence, and the Department of Naval Services were amalgamated to create the Department of National Defence. The CAF was restructured into a new organization in January 1923, becoming responsible for all flying operations in Canada, including civil aviation. On April 1, 1924, the Canadian government officially recognized the title of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) after it was granted by King George V.
By 1927, the management of aviation in Canada underwent another reorganization, leading to the RCAF being classified as a military body. A new government branch, the Civil Government Air Operations (CGAO) Branch, was established to oversee air operations supporting civil departments.
RCAF
Great Depression budget cuts impact the RCAF
1930 - 1938
During the Great Depression of the 1930s, government budget cuts significantly impacted the fledgling RCAF. Personnel strength, airfield construction, pilot training, aircraft purchases, and operational flying all suffered. By the late 1930s, the RCAF had become a minor military force with obsolete aircraft and a lack of experience in real military operations. Although new pilots and personnel were still being trained, overall manpower was insufficient. Despite these challenges, the Air Force began to rebuild throughout the 1930s, prioritizing the enhancement of the RCAF as a military organization. New aircraft were ordered, and air stations were constructed. Between 1932 and 1938, ten auxiliary squadrons were formed, and the RCAF expanded and consolidated its units, implementing regional commands.
RCAF
Great Depression budget cuts impact the RCAF
1930 - 1938
During the Great Depression of the 1930s, government budget cuts significantly impacted the fledgling RCAF. Personnel strength, airfield construction, pilot training, aircraft purchases, and operational flying all suffered. By the late 1930s, the RCAF had become a minor military force with obsolete aircraft and a lack of experience in real military operations. Although new pilots and personnel were still being trained, overall manpower was insufficient. Despite these challenges, the Air Force began to rebuild throughout the 1930s, prioritizing the enhancement of the RCAF as a military organization. New aircraft were ordered, and air stations were constructed. Between 1932 and 1938, ten auxiliary squadrons were formed, and the RCAF expanded and consolidated its units, implementing regional commands.
Home Front
D.H. 82 Tiger Moth Production in Canada
1935
The first British-built D.H. 82 Tiger Moth for civilian use in Canada was assembled at De Havilland in Downsview, Ontario, during the summer of 1935. In early 1937, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) placed an order for 26 Tiger Moth trainers. A condition of this sale was that the Tiger Moths would be manufactured, rather than just assembled, at Downsview. The Tiger Moth would eventually be modified to better suit Canadian training conditions. Ultimately, a total of 1,747 Tiger Moths were built by De Havilland in Canada.
Government
Trans-Canada Airlines (TCA) established
April 10th 1937
Trans-Canada Airlines (TCA) was established on April 10, 1937, by an Act of Parliament as a subsidiary of Canadian National Railways (CNR) to provide air service to all regions of Canada. The airline initially started operations with two passenger aircraft and a small biplane. Within a few years, TCA developed a reputation for technical and mechanical excellence, which was recognized in 1938 when it was awarded the McKee Trophy for exemplary service, thanks to the outstanding skills of its engineers and pilots. Passenger service between Vancouver and Montreal commenced on April 1, 1939. Two years later, TCA began operating the Canadian Government Trans-Atlantic Air Service (CGTAS), offering scheduled flights across the Atlantic Ocean primarily to support government services during World War II.
Home Front
Noorduyn Aviation signs agreement
August 1938
In August 1938, Noorduyn Aviation of Montreal signed an agreement with North American Aviation to produce a version of its T-6 Texan aircraft, known as the Harvard in Canada. The Canadian government ordered 50 Harvard Mk. I aircraft, the first of which were delivered to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in July 1939. By early 1940, the Mk. II version was being assembled in California, featuring an all-metal fuselage that replaced the original tube-and-fabric structure. A total of 1,200 Mk. II aircraft were supplied from U.S. sources until Canadian-built Harvards began arriving in 1941. Noorduyn received its first orders when the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) was established, ultimately producing nearly 2,800 Harvard Mk. IIB aircraft, between 1940 and 1945, for both the RCAF and the Royal Air Force (RAF). In Canada, the Harvard Mk. IIB was used as an advanced trainer within the BCATP at fifteen Service Flying Training Schools across the country. These aircraft played a crucial role in helping pilots transition from low-powered primary elementary trainers, such as the Fleet Finch or the de Havilland Tiger Moth, to high-performance front-line Allied fighters like the Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire.
RCAF
RCAF Eastern and Western Air Command established
March 15th 1938 to March 1st 1947
The RCAF Western Air Command and RCAF Eastern Air Command were established during the Second World War to defend Canadian Coasts. Eastern Air Command was part of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Home War Establishment and was responsible for all air operations on the Atlantic coast of Canada. It played a crucial role in anti-submarine operations in Canadian and Newfoundland (not yet a Canadian Province) waters during the Battle of the Atlantic. Additionally, Eastern Air Command oversaw several fighter squadrons and Operational Training Units (OTUs) of the BCTAP and RAF. Western Air Command was also part of the RCAF Home War Establishment, focusing on air operations on the Pacific coast of Canada. In response to the Japanese threat following the attack on Pearl Harbor, it expanded rapidly and was instrumental in fighter and anti-submarine operations in Canadian and American waters. Patrol activities were complemented by the Operational Training Schools (OTS) operated by Number 4 Training Command of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP).
Home Front
Canadian Car & Foundry (CC&F) builds Hawker Hurricanes
November 1938 to June 1943
Canadian Car & Foundry (CC&F) was established in 1909 in Montreal through the amalgamation of three transportation manufacturing companies. The company’s divisions produced transit buses and streetcars, and it opened a factory in Fort William (now called Thunder Bay) to manufacture rail cars and even small ships. In an effort to enter the growing aviation market, CC&F produced 55 Grumman GE-23 Goblin fighter aircraft under license and eventually developed a biplane trainer called the Maple L, along with a prototype for a new fighter aircraft, the Gregor FDB-1.
In the lead-up to a potential war, the CC&F factory in Fort William received an initial contract from the Royal Air Force to build 40 Hawker Hurricanes. The company evolved to become one of the primary manufacturers of this aircraft, starting production in November 1938. The aircraft were delivered in February 1940, and many of the Canadian-built Hurricanes took part in the Battle of Britain. A number of these aircraft were likely returned to Canada to be used in BCATP Operational Training Units (OTU)
The company’s chief engineer, Elsie MacGill, designed several enhancements to expand the aircraft's operating parameters, including optional skis for landing on frozen lakes and fields, as well as de-icing gear for winter flying.
When production of the Hurricane was completed in June 1943, CC&F's workforce of 4,500—half of whom were women—had built over a total, of 1,451 complete or partial airframes (newly assembled engines being installed in Britain) manufactured in Marks X, XI, and XII, about 10% of all the Hurricanes built.
The company also built the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver and later versions of the Harvard
War Front
Hitler's Gernany invades Poland
September 1st 1939
Hitler's Germany invades Poland. The Luftwaffe starts World War II with the terror bombing of the Polish city of Wieluń. At 8:00 am, German ground forces cross the Polish border, beginning the invasion of Poland.
War Front
The Battle of the Atlantic
September 3rd 1939 - May 8th 1945
The Battle of the Atlantic was the longest continuous military campaign of World War II, lasting from 1939 until the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945. During this battle, German U-boats and warships from the Kriegsmarine (the German navy), along with aircraft from the Luftwaffe (the German air force), confronted the Royal Navy, the Royal Canadian Navy, the United States Navy, and Allied merchant shipping.
The Allied convoys were crucial for carrying essential supplies and transporting troops from Canada and America to the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union.
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Eastern Air Command played a vital role in anti-submarine operations in Canadian and Newfoundland waters during the battle. The Royal Air Force’s Coastal Command, which included seven RCAF squadrons under the command, sought out and attacked enemy merchant ships, warships and U-boats. Coastal Command aircraft escorted convoys as they neared Europe and patrolled the seas from Iceland to Gibraltar.
Government
United Kingdom, France, Canada declare war on Germany
September 3rd and September 10th 1939
On September 3, 1939, the United Kingdom declared war on Germany, just two days after Germany invaded Poland. Later that same day, France also declared war on Germany.
In Canada, Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King announced his recommendation for a declaration of war to Canadians via a national radio broadcast.
Although the declaration of war is a matter of royal prerogative and did not require parliamentary approval, the Prime Minister and Canadian political leaders used this occasion to demonstrate the country’s growing independence in matters of governance from the United Kingdom.
Parliament was recalled early, and the Governor General delivered a throne speech outlining the Cabinet's proposal. The Government's position was debated in the House of Commons. A formal declaration of war then made against Germany, voted on, adopted, and subsequently made official through an order-in-council, signed by King George VI, the King of Canada, on September 10, 1939.
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