Release No N.71/57
"Canada Day" at Metz International Trade Fair
Metz, France, 1 October 1957. – At exactly 3 p.m. this afternoon, "Canada Day" was officially opened at the internationally known Foire de Metz as 20 RCAF Sabre jets and CF-100s thundered over the fairgrounds while the Canadian colours were slowly raised and an RCAF band played "O Canada".
Standing in front of a 50-man guard of honour with M. Hocquard, director of the fair, Air Vice Marshal HB Godwin, commander of Canada’s NATO Air Division saluted the flag as it was raised over the grounds. This is the second time Canada and the RCAF have been so honoured.
Following the flag raising ceremonies, the official party toured the fair and visited the RCAF’s display, where motion pictures on the Canadian scene and the RCAF were being shown.
Eight attractive airwomen representing the Air Division headquarters and the four fighter wings in France and Germany were on hand at the RCAF’s display to distribute souvenirs, contributed by Canadian aviation companies, and to explain the features of a 5-foot scale model of a camouflaged CF-100 all-weather jet interceptor on display in front of the building.
Squadron Leader CR Parker, of Ottawa, led the two squadrons from the RCAF’s No. 3 Fighter Wing based at Zweibrucken, Germany, in their low flypast as Sergeant RA Tipple, of Vancouver, conducted the combined bands of No. 3 Wing and No. 2 Fighter Wing, Grostenquin, France.
In thanking the Foire officials for the tribute paid to Canada and its air force, Air Vice Marshal Godwin said, "The flying of the Canadian colours beside the French tricolor here today symbolizes the close relations between our two NATO nations.