The Royal Canadian Air Force

Royal Canadian Air Force

The Royal Canadian Air Force played a significant role during World War II.

When the war began in 1939, the RCAF was relatively small, with only 4,061 personnel and 270 aircraft, many of which were outdated.

However, by the end of the war, the RCAF had grown to become the fourth largest air force in the world.

Here are some key points about the RCAF’s contributions during World War II

Expansion and Training

The RCAF expanded rapidly, reaching a peak strength of 215,200 personnel in January 1941.

The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP), based in Canada, trained over 130,000 aircrew from various Allied nations.

Operational Missions

The RCAF supported three main missions:

Home War Establishment

Defending Canada from potential threats.

British Commonwealth Air Training Plan

Training aircrew for the Allied forces.

Overseas War Establishment

Participating in operational missions in Europe, North Africa, and Asia.

Combat Roles 

RCAF squadrons were involved in various roles, including fighter, bomber, and coastal patrol missions.

They played a crucial part in the Battle of Britain, the North African campaign, and the D-Day invasion.

Women’s Division

Over 15,000 women served in the RCAF Women’s Division, contributing to various non-combat roles.

Casualties

Approximately 17,034 RCAF personnel lost their lives during the war, including 28 women and 1,066 ground crew.

The RCAF’s efforts during World War II were instrumental in the Allied victory and left a lasting legacy on Canada’s military history.

Aces

There were over 100 Canadian aces during the war.

Here are the top 5 Canadian flying Aces from World War II.

George “Buzz” Beurling
32 kills

Russell Bannock
28 kills

Mark Henry “Hilly” Brown
19 kills

James Francis “Stocky” Edwards
18 kills

Robert Alexander “Butch” Barton
17 kills

Sources

Sixty Years : The RCAF and CF Air Command 1924-1984-Larry Milberry.

Aces, Warriors and Wingmen : The Firsthand accounts of Canada’s fighter pilots in the Second World War-Wayne Ralph.

Air Transport in Canada-Larry Milberry.

Amazing Airmen : Canadian Flyers in the Second World War-Ian Darling.

Aviation in Canada : Bombing and Coastal Operations Overseas 1939-1945-Larry Milberry.

Aviation in Canada : Evolution of an Air Force-Larry Milberry.

Failed to return : Canada’s Bomber Command sacrifice in the Second World War-Keith Ogilvie.

The Crucible of War, 1939-1945 : The Official History of the Royal Canadian Air Force-B Greenhous, Stephen

Harris, William Johnston & William Rawling.

The Royal Canadian Air Force : 100 Years of Service, Volume 1-Larry Milberry & Hugh Halliday.

The Royal Canadian Air Force at War 1939-1945-Larry Milberry & Hugh Halliday.