Figure 1.--Here Montreal residents in 1942 are inspecting search lights being installed as part of the city's air defenses. The Atlantic proved, however, to be an unsurmountable obstacle for the Luftwaffe. Göring was to order the construction of the America's bomber, but battlefield reverses and the Allied strategic bombing campaign meant that the War ended before the bomber could be built. Click on the image for a discussion of the clothes seen here. |
Canada played a key role in the vital Battle of the Atlantic. Its contribution in the Air War was not as central, but none the less important. The Luftwaffe was at the beginning of the War the most poweful air force in the world. The Allies expected the NAZIs to immediately launch air attacks on cities. Canada was also concerned about air defnese, and some minor efforts were made to prepare. The Atlantic proved, however, to be an unsurmountable obstacle for the Luftwaffe. With the fall of France (1940), however, the skies over Britain became an active combat zone.
Britain laid the groundwork for a vastly expanded air force. The fact that the air was being fought over Britain as well as the fact that the British isles were heavily populated created problems in training air crews. As part of a much larger plan, Britain and Canada set up the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan which was to be located in Canada. The vast streaches of Canada and the distance from the fighting often perfect conditions for a training facility. There were 72,800 Canadians trained. Most were involved with the Royal Air Force Bomber Command in the Strategic Bombing Campaign over northern Europe.
The Luftwaffe was at the beginning of the War the most poweful air force in the world. The Allies expected the NAZIs to immediately launch air attacks on cities. Canada was also concerned about air defnese, and some minor efforts were made to prepare. The Atlantic proved, however, to be an unsurmountable obstacle for the Luftwaffe. Göring was to order the construction of the America's bomber, but battlefield reverses and the Allied strategic bombing campaign meant that the War ended before the bomber could be built.
With the fall of France (1940), however, the skies over Britain became an active combat zone. Britain laid the groundwork for a vastly expanded air force. The fact that the air was being fought over Britain as well as the fact that the British isles were heavily populated created problems in training air crews. As part of a much larger plan, Britain and Canada set up the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan which was to be located in Canada. The vast streaches of Canada and the distance from the fighting often perfect conditions for a training facility. Nore than 131,000 aircrews (pilots, navigators, gunners, bombardiers, and flight engineers) were trained for the the air war. There were 72,800 Canadians trained.
Most of the Canadians involved in the Air war during World War II were involved with the Royal Air Force Bomber Command in the Strategic Bombing Campaign over northern Europe.
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