Metz, France

In the Air Division, the period of June 1 – Dec 11954, was a most productive one. The wings took part in numerous operational training exercises aimed at bringing the Division up to a high standard of operational efficiency. Also, the re-equipping of the wings with the Sabre V aircraft, the completion of married quarters, and the opening of dependents schools has stamped this period as a most efficacious one.

With the exception of 1 (F) Wing the re-equipping of the Air Division wings with Sabre V aircraft was virtually completed by 01 Dec. 3 (F) Wing have still only 16 aircraft per squadron, and as yet, it is not known whether their full complement of Sabre V’s will be supplied, or if they will be completely re-equipped with Sabre VI’s early in 1955.

As the Sabre V’s were received the Sabre IV’s were returned to the RAF. In July the delivery of the remaining Sabre II aircraft to Greece and Turkey commenced. This was a part of Canada’s contribution to the Mutual Aid Programme.

The arrival of Key radar personnel this summer, heralded the realization of the Air Division control and reporting centre. The equipment itself arrived in the late fall. Plans for the operation of the centre are now almost completed and it is expected that it will be in operation by July 1955.

Preparations for the move of 1 (F) Wing from the UK to Marville commenced early in the period. Because of construction delays, it is not known exactly when Marville will be ready operationally, therefore it was decided to move 410 (F) Squadron and 441 (F) Squadron to 4 & 3 (F) Wings respectively, in order to convert the squadrons to Sabre V’s and thus retain them at a peak of operational efficiency.

On the domestic side, the two important events were the completion of the married quarters and the opening of the dependents schools. By the end of the period most of the married quarters at the German Stations were either occupied or almost ready for occupancy. Their construction at the French Units was from 4-8 weeks behind schedule.

June 1954

PERSONNEL

The Air Division strength in June was:

VISITORS

A cross section of the visitors to the Division in June were:

Major General LDB Smith - CJS (L)
A/C Hendricks – AFHQ
Brig. Vale - Imperial War Graves Commission
W/C Whitney – AFHQ
W/C Hope – AFHQ
Mr. Deschamps - DCL

Sabre flying for the month was:

EXERCISES

Unicorn: Interception by broadcast control.

Week End Duel: Practice radar interceptions carried out on week-ends and holidays by alert sections.

Barrage: AAFCE practice interception exercise.

Wide Awake: Ground control interception

Umbrella I: Practice aerodrome attach and defence exercise.

Weapon Fire: Air Firing at Rabat – 414 (F) Squadron.

Eleven Sabre V flying accidents occurred during June, 3 of which were "A" category.

The aircraft serviceability and AOG situation was:

VISITORS

Some of the visitors to the Division this month were:

A/V/M Wait - AMP/AFHQ
A/C Annis – ADCHQ
General Brison - 1 CATAC
G/C LJ Birchall - Nato Delegation Paris
G/C WFM Newsome - Nato Delegation Paris
G/C RG Miller - Nato Staff College Paris
G/C Costello - O DRA/RC AFHQ
Mr. Sims - Canadair Montreal
Mr. Andrew Cowan - CBC Paris

Sabre flying hours for the month were:

EXERCISES

Air Division wings participated in the following exercises this month.

Umpire I: Low level interception for the benefit of the Ground Observer personnel

Rotation: An Air Division squadron 416 (F) Squadron rotated with a USAF squadron from Hahn Air Force Base through week 5-10 July.

Dividend: An RAF exercise designed to test the aerial defences of the UK. Air Division aircraft played the role of the raider force.

In addition the recurring exercises, Unicorn, Week End Duel, Barrage, Wide Awake, Umbrella and Weapon Fire were carried out.

The first 12 Sabre II aircraft were ferried to Greece and Turkey by Air Division pilots.

12 accidents occurred during the month, of which 4 were "A" category, 2 "B"s, 1 "C", and 5 "D"s.

The aircraft serviceability and AOG situation was:

CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING

Projects under construction at Air Division Units:

1 Air Division: Officer buildings annex, extension to officers’ Mess.

2 (F) Wing: Recreation building, perimeter road

3 (F) Wing: Squadrons dispersal building completed

4 (F) Wing: Squadrons dispersal buildings completed.

A total of 173 tons of freight was received at French ports from Canada, and 111 tons was shipped to Canada and North Africa. Personnel movements were 328 eastbound and 144 westbound.

August 1954

PERSONNEL

The Air Division strength in August was:

VISITORS

A great number of visitors were received this month, the most important being:

Air Chief Marshal Sir Basil Embry – AAFCE
Maj General Robert M Lee - 4 ATAF
Mr. A Ross - Ass’t Dep Minister London
G/C Chapel - AAFCE
Justice Michand - Frederiction
Mr. HR Low – Ottawa
Mr. Trethewey – AV Roe Montreal
Lt. Col. Campbell – CJS (L)
Mr. LG O’Hagen – Toronto Telegram

Sabre flying for the month was:

EXERCISES

Air Division wings participated in the eight recurring Air Division exercises as well as the following allied exercises.

Rotation: 413 Squadron rotated with an RNAF squadron from Volkel.

Falling Leaf: a 12^th AF exercise designed to test the defensive capabilities of 4 ATAF.

A total of 40 MK II aircraft have now been delivered, 20 to Greece and 20 to Turkey.

6 accidents occurred this month, 3 of which were "A" category and 3 "C"s.

The aircraft serviceability and AOG situation was:

CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING

With the exception of 1 (F) Wing Marville, construction of the married quarters at the continental units is progressing satisfactorily.

Surface shipping received at French ports was 86 tons, 93 tons were shipped. Personnel movements were 450 eastbound and 193 westbound.

September 1954

PERSONNEL

The Air Division strength in Sept was:

VISITORS

Some of the more important visitors in September were:

Hon Ralph Campney – Minister National Defence
Mr. CM Irving – Dep Minister
Brig NL Cameron – Defence Sec’y
A/M HP Fraseri – AAFCE
A/C ED Ripley – AAFCE
A/C WA McBrien – 4 ATAF
A/C DE Blaine – AFHQ
Brig WJ Lawson – JAG Ottawa
Brig Morrison – DRB Ottawa
A/V/M WA Curtis – (RET) AV ROE
A/V/M F McGill – (RET) Montreal
G/C JB Harvey – CJS London
G/C LJ Birchall – NATO Delegation, Paris
Mr. Hussey – Chief Treasury Officer, Ottawa

Sabre flying for the month was:

EXERCISES

In addition to the normal flying training programme, the continental wings, participated in the five recurring Air Division sponsored operational training exercises as well as the following two allied exercises.

Barrage: AAFCE exercise aimed at testing the overall Western European defence system. Air Division aircraft were employed in their primary role, i.e. as interceptors.

Shooting Star: 4 ATAF exercise aimed at testing the 4 ATAF air defence capabilities.

11 accidents occurred this month, 4 of which were "A", 2 "B"s, 2 "C"s and 3 "D"s.

Twenty two Sabre V aircraft were received off Random 8 in Sept.

The aircraft serviceability and AOG situation was:

CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING

The first 85 apartments at Zweibrucken were occupied in Sept. With the exception of 1 (F) Wing, Marville, progress on the married quarters is very close to schedule.<450

DEPENDENTS SCHOOL

All the Air Division schools opened this month in temporary accommodation. School enrolment throughout the Division totalled 831.

October 1954

PERSONNEL

Air Division strength in Oct was:

VISITORS

Some of the visitors to the Division were:

Gen Rodgers – AHQ Ottawa
G/C Sproule – AFHQ
G/C Laine – AFHQ
G/C McKinnon – AFHQ
A/C Ripley – AAFCE
G/C Armour – SHAPE
Mr Deschamps – DCL
Mr Beggat – DRBB Ottawa
Dr Abrams – NRCC Ottawa
G/C Whiting – AFHQ

Sabre flying for the month was:

CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING

1 Air Division: Administration building annex, the officer’s mess extension, and the street lighting were completed this month.

1 (F) Wing Marville: Fourteen buildings were accepted early in the month and an advance party of service police are now on the station.

3 (F) Wing Zweibrucken: Another 120 apartments were occupied this month.

4 (F) Wing Baden Soellingen: Camouflage painting of the buildings was completed this month.

Personnel movements during the month were the heaviest experienced to date – eastbound 867 and westbound 428.

Provision of dental treatment for dependent personnel using service facilities has been approved. The payment for these facilities will be as per the full DVA rates.

November 1954

PERSONNEL

Air Division strength in Nov was:

VISITORS

A cross section of the visitors to the Division this month were:

A/C Carpenter – AFHQ
G/C Doyle – AFHQ
W/C McKnight – AFHQ
G/C Danis – AFHQ
A/C Carscallen – ATC
W/C Wicket – AFHQ
A/V/M Ferrie – (RET)
Mr Rowlett – AMC
Mr Cote – NFB

Sabre flying for the month was:

EXERCISES

Air Division wings participated in the following exercises Week End Duel, Underwood, Umbrella I, Wide Awake.

9 accidents occurred during the month of Nov, 1 of which was category "A", 1 "B", 2 "C", and 4 "D".

A total of 68 Sabre II aircraft have been delivered to Greece and Turkey, 34 to each country.

Twenty six aircraft were received this month.