1

Battle of Britain Skies
20th Century, Circa 1940
Great Britain

Credits:
Cmmonwealth Air Training Plan Museum

2

In the years leading up to the outbreak of war in 1939, Adolf Hitler created a strong fierce fighting machine with the powerful German airforce, army and navy. The German invasion of Poland caused Britain to spring to action and war was declared on Sept. 3, 1939. With Britain in the war, so too was Canada called to arms as a member of the British Commonwealth.

3

Bomb Run
14 October 1944
Duisberg, Germany

Credits:
Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum

4

As the German war machine marched on through Europe, it became clear that this war would be fought in large part in the skies, as the Allied forces could not reach the continent on land. The prospect of this great air war led to the creation of the B.C.A.T.P. which came to be as Winston Churchill stated "Canada's greatest contribution to the Allied victory in WWII."

5

Bomber Crew
20th Century, Circa 1940
Great Britain

Credits:
Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum

6

The B.C.A.T.P. was signed on Dec. 17, 1939. Its purpose was to train men and women in the skills needed to create an airforce to fight against the Axis powers. Trainees arrived on Canadian shores from Britain, Australia, New Zealand, India, and other countries in the British Commonwealth. Canada was chosen as the location for training as it was far from the main theatres of war and because of the relatively stable weather conditions.

7

Early morning Tiger Moth fueling.
20th Century, Circa 1940
Virden, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum

8

The Plan was to be of no small undertaking as hundreds of airfields and training schools had to be built in the preparation for the training of these young men and women. Many were 18, 19 and 20 years of age. It makes you wonder what they went through.