List of British Commonwealth Air Training Plan facilities in Canada explained

Unit Name:British Commonwealth Air Training Plan in Canada
Country:Canada
Command Structure:British Commonwealth Air Training Plan
Role:Aircrew and groundcrew training
Dates:1939–1945
Battles:World War II
Equipment:Airspeed Oxford
Avro Anson
Boeing Stearman
Bristol Bolingbroke
PBY Canso
Consolidated B-24 Liberator
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Cessna Crane
Douglas Digby
De Havilland Tiger Moth
Fairchild Argus[1]
Fairchild Cornell
Fairey Battle
Fairey Swordfish
Fleet Finch
Fleet Fort
Handley Page Halifax
Handley Page Hampden
Hawker Hurricane
Lockheed Hudson
Noorduyn Norseman
North American B-25 Mitchell
North American Harvard
North American Yale
Northrop Nomad
Stinson 105
Supermarine Walrus
Westland Lysander
Equipment Label:Aircraft

This article contains a List of Facilities of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) in Canada. The BCATP was a major program for training Allied air crews during World War II that was administered by the Government of Canada, and commanded by the Royal Canadian Air Force with the assistance of a board of representatives from the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.[2]

Schools and facilities were set up at 231 locations across Canada.[3] Many of these facilities were airfields. In December 1939 the Canadian government identified 24 existing airfields that could be used, leaving 80 new ones to be built.[2] Classroom facilities with residences were commandeered from universities, colleges, and other provincial institutions. Basic training facilities were commandeered from private schools and municipal governments. These "borrowed" facilities were augmented with new construction as required.[4]

Planning and operation of facilities

There were four phases to the acquisition, construction, and operation of BCATP facilities:

An example of this is the Elementary Flying Training School at De Winton, Alberta. It began as a transplanted RAF school run by RAF personnel. It opened on 18 June 1941 as No. 31 EFTS. On 13 July 1942 it was taken over by the Toronto Flying Club under contract to the RCAF.

BCATP activities were managed through four Training Commands. Each command was responsible for activities in a region of Canada:

Manning Depots

Trainees began their military careers at a Manning Depot[8] where they learned to bathe, shave, shine boots, polish buttons, maintain their uniforms, and otherwise behave in the required manner. There were two hours of physical education every day and instruction in marching, rifle drill, foot drill, saluting, and other routines.

Remedial high school education was offered to bring 17- and 18-year-old trainees up to the RCAF academic level. There was also a standard aptitude test: the RCAF Classification Test.

After four or five weeks, a selection committee decided whether the trainee would be placed in the aircrew or groundcrew stream. Aircrew "Wireless Air Gunner" candidates went directly to a Wireless School. "Air Observer" and "Pilot" aircrew candidates went to an Initial Training School.

Trainees were often assigned "tarmac duty" to keep busy. Some were sent to factories to count nuts and bolts; others were sent to flying schools and other RCAF facilities to guard things, clean things, paint things, and polish things. Tarmac duty could last several months or more.

The No. 1 Manning Depot in Toronto was the Coliseum Building on the Canadian National Exhibition grounds, which accommodated up to 5,000 personnel.

Aircrew training facilities

Pre-Aircrew Education Detachments

Pre-Aircrew Education Detachments (PAED) provided academic training in mathematics, physics, English, and other subjects requested by the RCAF for potential aircrew recruits lacking the necessary education. They greatly reduced the percentage of failures at Initial Training Schools (ITS).[12] PAED were established on university campuses across the country.[13]

Initial Training Schools

Pilot and Air Observer candidates began their 26- or 28-week training program with four weeks at an Initial Training School (ITS).[14] [15] They studied theoretical subjects and were subjected to a variety of tests. Theoretical studies included navigation, theory of flight, meteorology, duties of an officer, air force administration, algebra, and trigonometry. Tests included an interview with a psychiatrist, the 4 hour long M2 physical examination, a session in a decompression chamber, and a "test flight" in a Link Trainer as well as academics. At the end of the course the postings were announced. Occasionally candidates were re-routed to the Wireless Air Gunner stream at the end of ITS.

Elementary Flying Training Schools

An Elementary Flying Training School (EFTS) gave a trainee 50 hours of basic flying instruction on a simple trainer like the De Havilland Tiger Moth, Fleet Finch, or Fairchild Cornell over 8 weeks. Elementary schools were operated by civilian flying clubs under contract to the RCAF and most of the instructors were civilians. For example, No. 12 EFTS Goderich was run by the Kitchener-Waterloo Flying Club and the County of Huron Flying Club. The next step for a pilot was the Service Flying Training School.

Service Flying Training Schools

Graduates of the EFTS "learn-to-fly" program went on a Service Flying Training School (SFTS) for 16 weeks. For the first 8 weeks the trainee was part of an intermediate training squadron; for the next 6 weeks an advanced training squadron and for the final 2 weeks training was conducted at a Bombing & Gunnery School. The Service schools were military establishments run by the RCAF or the RAF.

There were two different types of Service Flying Training Schools. Trainees in the fighter pilot stream went to an SFTS like No. 14 Aylmer, where they trained in the North American Harvard or North American Yale. Trainees in the bomber, coastal or transport pilot stream went to an SFTS like No. 5 Brantford where they learned multi-engine technique in an Airspeed Oxford, Avro Anson or Cessna Crane.

Air Observer Schools

Air Observers were later called "navigators". For recruits in this stream, the training path after ITS was 8 weeks at an Air Observer School (AOS), 1 month at a Bombing & Gunnery School, and finally 1 month at a Navigation School. The Air Observer schools were operated by civilians under contract to the RCAF. For example, Nos. 7, 8, and 9 were run by CP Airlines. However, the instructors were RCAF. The basic navigation techniques throughout the war years were dead reckoning and visual pilotage, and the tools were the aeronautical chart, magnetic compass, watch, trip log, pencil, Douglas protractor, and Dalton Navigational Computer.[19] They trained in the Avro Anson.

Bombing and Gunnery Schools

The Bombing and Gunnery School (B&GS) offered instruction in the techniques of bomb aiming and aerial machine gunnery to Air Observers, Bomb Aimers, and Wireless Air Gunners. These schools required large areas to accommodate their bombing and gunnery ranges, and were often located near water.[20] The Avro Anson, Fairey Battle, Bristol Bolingbroke, and Westland Lysander were the standard aircraft used at B&GS schools.

Air Gunners Ground Training Schools

The Air Gunners Ground Training Schools (AGGTS) were formed as a result of a critical shortage of aerial gunners overseas. They conducted a six-week preparatory course in the use, care and maintenance of machine guns used on aircraft as well as your typical parade square bashing (drill), physical training and small arms live firing (pistol and sub-machine gun).

Air Navigation Schools

Nos. 1 & 2 Air Navigation Schools offered four-week courses in astronavigation and were the last step for Air Observers. The RAF schools, Nos. 31, 32, and 33, provided the same training as Air Observer Schools.

Wireless Schools

Trainees in the "Wireless Air Gunner" (WAG) stream spent 24 weeks at a Wireless School learning the theory and application of wireless communications. This included signalling with lights and flags as well as radio. Their "WAG" training was completed with four weeks at a Bombing & Gunnery School.

Naval Air Gunner School

No. 1 Yarmouth, Nova Scotia (Swordfish)

Flight Engineers' School

The flight engineer was the member of a heavy bomber aircrew responsible for monitoring the fuel, electrical systems and the engines. He also controlled the throttle settings and was the pilot's "assistant". Flight engineers were not co-pilots but they had some flying training andwere expected to be able to take over the controls in the event the pilot was killed or disabled. No. 1 Aylmer, Ontario (Halifax, Beaufort, Hampden)

General Reconnaissance Schools

The General Reconnaissance School trained pilots and air observers in the techniques required for ocean patrol. It was the equivalent to an Operational Training Unit (OTU), and last stop before aircrew were assigned to operations. The topics included DR Navigation, Astro Navigation, Compasses and Instruments, Meteorology, Signals, Reconnaissance, Coding, Ship Recognition, Aerial Photography, and Visual Signals. Flight Lieutenant (F/L) R. E. MacBride from No. 162 (BR) Squadron RCAF trained at No. 1 GR.[25]

Aircrew spent nine weeks at a General Reconnaissance School.

Operational Training Units

The Operational Training Unit (OTU) was the last stop for aircrew trainees. They spent 8 to 14 weeks learning to fly operational aircraft (Hawker Hurricane or Fairey Swordfish, e.g.). The instructors had experience in actual operations, and often were posted to OTUs after their operational tour.

Central Flying School

The Central Flying School was located at Trenton, Ontario.

Central Navigation School

The Central Navigation School was located at Rivers, Manitoba (Anson).

Instrument Navigation School

The Instrument Navigation School was located near Deseronto, Ontario.

Flying Instructor Schools

Aircrew Graduates Training Schools

The Aircrew Graduates Training School (AGTS) was established in January 1944 and was usually the last stop for aircrew prior to transfer to operational units overseas. The instructors were normally issued from the ranks of the Army. Aircrew graduates spent 3 weeks learning survival and evasion techniques that would prove useful if shot down behind enemy lines. The training included self defence, living off the land, evasion techniques and ground navigation.[27]

Relief landing fields

Every principal airfield (e.g. EFTS or SFTS) had one or two relief airfields located within 10–15 km. The No. 1 Relief Airfield is called "R1" in RCAF Station diaries. Some of the relief fields were paved, some were just grass, and some had hangars, barracks, and maintenance facilities. For example, trainees at No. 14 SFTS Aylmer moved to their R1 at Yarmouth Centre for the last four weeks of their course (radio, bombing, and gunnery).

Groundcrew training facilities

Support facilities

See also

References

Bibliography

External links

Notes and References

  1. Hewer 2000, p. 16.
  2. Hatch 1983
  3. Forsyth, Bruce. "A Short History of Abandoned and Downsized Canadian Military Bases." Canadian Military History by Bruce Forsyth, 1998. Retrieved: 24 August 2013.
  4. For example, Wireless Schools required a shooting range. At No. 4 WS in Guelph, an "armament building" was constructed on the Ontario Agricultural College grounds.
  5. After the Fall of France the British government decided to move RAF assets out of the United Kingdom to Canada together with their RAF personnel. The first unit to move was No. 7 Service Flying Training School from Peterborough, England, which sailed for Canada on 29 August 1940. No. 7 re-opened on 7 October 1940 at Kingston, Ontario as No. 31 SFTS. All the RAF schools moved to Canada were given numbers with "31" or above to distinguish them from the original BCATP schools. The RCAF controlled their administration and operations. Starting in 1942 the RAF schools officially became part of the BCATP
  6. Hatch 1983, pp. 62, 68, 69
  7. Headquarters was at Prudential House, 55 York St., Toronto
  8. Lougheed 2002.
  9. Web site: RCAF Station Picton . RCAF.info . 26 December 2022.
  10. No. 6 was opened at the original site of Havergal College, 354 Jarvis St., Toronto
  11. Ziegler 1973.
  12. Web site: Stories – Donald Lambies . Vintage Wings of Canada . March 2022 . en . 2024-04-07 .
  13. Web site: Stories – RCAF ORB Finding Aid . CAHS Regine Chapter . UK . en . 2024-04-07 .
  14. Scherer 1941, pp. 4–8.
  15. Dunmore 1994,
  16. [History of Moncton]
  17. McIntyre 1979, pp. 67–86.
  18. Web site: 41 Service Flying Training School, Weyburn, Saskatchewan, 1942–1944 (AIR 29/586). The National Archives. 8 December 2020.
  19. Stewart 1979, pp. 38–43.
  20. For example, the aeronautical chart for 1 B&GS Jarvis shows a 140 square mile main range over Lake Erie, and 3 or 4 small "target zones" on land near the shoreline. These ranges start at Grant Point and end at Turkey Point.
  21. Web site: Un peu d'histoire . (Anon) . Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal . 25 September 2013 .
  22. Web site: History of SAIT – World War II Effort . (Anon) . Southern Alberta Institute of Technology . 25 September 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150721005705/http://www.sait.ca/about-sait/history-of-sait.php . 21 July 2015 . dead .
  23. Web site: Manitoba School for the Deaf/Wireless School No. 3 . (Anon) . Manitoba Historical Society . 12 January 2017 .
  24. Web site: No. 4 Wireless School At Guelph, 1941–1945 . (Anon) . Guelph historical society . 30 August 2019 .
  25. Milberry 2010.
  26. Wikene 1979, pp. 47–54.
  27. Web site: William Holowaty. 3 AGTS. 425 Alouettes. 2019-09-29. en. 2023-03-11.
  28. "Map: Toronto-Ottawa, Air Navigation Edition." Hydrographic and Map Service: Canada Department of Mines and Resources, Surveys and Engineering Branch, 9 March 1943.
  29. "Map: Swift Current-Regina, June 1942.
  30. Book: Anon . Canada Flight Supplement Effective 0901Z 12 March 2009 to 0901Z 7 May 2009 . Abandoned Aerodromes . Nav Canada . 2009 . A35 . Ottawa .
  31. "Map: Toronto-Windsor, Air Navigation Edition." Hydrographic and Map Service: Canada Department of Mines and Resources, Surveys and Engineering Branch, 21 January 1944.
  32. "Map: Banff-Bassano, Air Navigation Edition." Hydrographic and Map Service: Canada Department of Mines and Resources, Surveys and Engineering Branch, 24 March 1944.
  33. "Map: Indian Head-Brandon, Air Navigation Edition." Hydrographic and Map Service: Canada Department of Mines and Resources, Surveys and Engineering Branch, 20 October 1944.
  34. "Map: Brandon-Winnipeg, Air Navigation Edition." Hydrographic and Map Service: Canada Department of Mines and Resources, Surveys and Engineering Branch, 30 March 1944.
  35. "Map: Neepawa-Gypsumville, Air Navigation Edition." Hydrographic and Map Service: Canada Department of Mines and Resources, Surveys and Engineering Branch, 11 October 1944.
  36. "Map: Ottawa-Montreal, Air Navigation Edition." Hydrographic and Map Service: Canada Department of Mines and Resources, Surveys and Engineering Branch, September 1942.
  37. "Map: Indian Head - Brandon, Air Navigation Edition." Hydrographic and Map Service: Canada Department of Mines and Resources, Surveys and Engineering Branch, April 1942.
  38. "Map: Medicine Hat-Maple Creek, Air Navigation Edition." Hydrographic and Map Service: Canada Department of Mines and Resources, Surveys and Engineering Branch, January 1942.
  39. "Map: Parent-Three Rivers, Air Navigation Edition." Hydrographic and Map Service: Canada Department of Mines and Resources, Surveys and Engineering Branch, 23 February 1944.
  40. "Map: Broadview-Dauphin, Air Navigation Edition." Hydrographic and Map Service: Canada Department of Mines and Resources, Surveys and Engineering Branch, 9 January 1945.
  41. Book: . Pilots Handbook of Aerodromes and Seaplane Bases Vol. 2. Royal Canadian Air Force . 16. c. 1942.
  42. "Map: Campbellton-Moncton, Air Navigation Edition."Hydrographic and Map Service: Canada Department of Mines and Resources, Surveys and Engineering Branch, June 1942.
  43. "Map: Campbellton-Moncton, Air Navigation Edition." Air Navigation Edition." Hydrographic and Map Service: Canada Department of Mines and Resources, Surveys and Engineering Branch, 24 February 1944.

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