Metz, France
Support Unit (SU) Metz

14 Jun 56

His Excellency Jean Desy, Canadian Ambassador to France, accompanied by his family and Mr. Leon Lorrain, President of the Banque Canadienne Nationale, visited 1 Air Division HQ. Mr. Desy inspected a Guard of Honour, toured the Headquarters and 61 AC&W Squadron, and attended a reception and dinner held in his honour.

Air Commodore CA Cook, Chief Logistics Officer, AMCHQ Ottawa, paid a liaison visit to 1 Air Division HQ and conferred with the STSO and Staff.

Mr. KE Brownridge, Vice President Manufacturing Orenda Engines Ltd., was escorted on his liaison visit to 1 Air Division HQ by Mr. Nerriere, our Orenda Tech Representative. He met briefly with the AOC, CofS, STSO and SOMaint prior to departing for 4 (F) Wing.

Schools out!

The Training Command Band stopped at Air Division HQ on the UK and European tour. On 30 Jun, they played for evening dances in the Sgts. And Airmen’s Messes. On 1 Jul, the Band gave two concerts in the city of Metz. On the afternoon of 2 Jul the Band entertained patients in the French Military Hospital in Metz, and in the evening they played at the AOC’s reception held in commemoration of Canada Day. Prior to departing 1 Air Division HQ, the Band gave concerts in Nancy and Luxembourg on 3 and 4 Jul respectively.

The undermentioned officers were promoted to the rank shown effective 1 Jul 56:

The following group of officers visited 1 Air Division HQ:

The purpose of their visit was to discuss Air Weapons training and the move of the CF-100s to Europe, and to meet with Armament personnel. They conferred with STSO and Staff Officers.

Mr. RK Taylor of the Kitchener-Waterloo Record visited 1 Air Division HQ on a general reportorial assignment. Met by SOPR, he was introduced to the AOC and CofS and toured the unit before departing for 4 ATAF Trier.

The following buildings included in the recent $1,000,000.00 major construction program were completed and officially handed over to the RCAF. Barrack Block 15 (Airwomen’s Quarters), Barrack Block 19 (Officers Quarters), Building 32A (Theatre and Recreation Hall), and Building 31 (Airmen’s Mess Hall).

S/L HM Sutherland, Senior Social Welfare Officer, paid a staff visit to 1 Air Division HQ. She met the SPSO and held discussions with the Area Welfare Officer, F/L Vaness. Prior to departing for England and Canada, S/L Sutherland attended an American Welfare Meeting at Landstuhl and an International Conference on Social Work at Munch Germany. The Air Division Judo Team participated in a Judo demonstration at the US Army Quartermaster Depot in Metz, in competition with an American team from Chambley Air Force Base and a French Team from Metz.

Mr. GL Ostiguy, AFHQ AMTS/DCED, arrived at 1 Air Division HQ to assess the method of operation of Steam Distribution Systems. He met with STSO, SOCE and Staff. Further discussions held with CTSO and CEO of the Support Unit were followed by a tour of the station.

Mr. Ted Clifford, Chatham Daily News reported, overseas on a general reportorial assignment, met the AOC and CofS and was escorted by SOPR on a tour of the Headquarters.

G/C JH Fenton, AMTS/CCE, and S/L Durrel arrived to discuss CE Maintenance with STSO and SOCE.

The Air Division Second Annual Golf Tournament was held at Luxembourg, with the Headquarters Team placing second.

The Right Reverend Dr. G Dorey, Moderator of the United Church of Canada, paid an informal visit to Air Division Units. After meeting the AOC, Reverend Dorey, accompanied by W/C Light, SORA/P, toured the Headquarters and visited the RCAF Cemetery at Choloy. Mr. Barry Griffith of the Calgary Albertan arrived at 1 Air Division Headquarters on a general reportorial assignment. Accompanied by an officer of the SOPR branch, he met the CofS and toured the station.

The Bank of Montreal opened a branch at 1 Air Division HQ, with Mr. WJ Read as Manager. This was the third branch opened by the Bank of Montreal at Canadian bases on the Continent, the others being located at Marville and Grostenquin. Servicemen and their families greatly appreciate the facility. Dr. E Newman, overseas for a Current Affairs lecture tour, was met by SOGT and gave two lectures to officers and airmen on "The Future of NATO".

Mr. Dave Golden, Deputy Minister DDP, and Mr. DR Roe, Director (UK) DDP, paid a liaison visit to 1 Air Division HQ. They were briefed in the AOC’s office and then held a conference with our DDP Representative and Staff Heads.

S/L DF McRae, RCAF Exchange Officer – School of Land/Air Warfare, arrived from England to acquaint himself with our techniques of Air Defence. After meeting SASO and holding informal discussions with SOOT and Operations personnel, S/L McRae visited 61 AC&W Squadron.

The new Central Heating Plant, a major construction item, was completed and ready for operation.

Mr. Victor Koby visited 1 Air Division HQ to consult with SOPE and gather material for the Canadian Aviation magazine.

Fete de la Mirabelle – The annual feat of the Mirabelle was held in the City of Metz. In accordance with French tradition, a Queen was crowned and celebrations took place in the streets and cafes. One of the highlights of the day was a monster parade in which the RCAF participated with a float representing a Sabre aircraft.

Me. E McEwan, Recreational Training and Research Advisor to AFHQ, arrived to evaluate the recreation programme presently in use at 1 Air Division units. A Headquarters, Mr. McEwan met the AOC and visited with F/L Wilcox, CHQ Recreation Officer.

Minister’s Visit – A Guard of Honour marked the visit of the Honourable Ralph O Campney, Minister of National Defence, who was accompanied by Mrs. Campney, Mr. FR Miller, Deputy Minister of National Defence and Mrs. Miller, Mr. JB Ross, Executive Assistant to the Minister, Mr. WH Dumsday, Director of Public Relations (DND), G/C LJ Birchall, Military Secretary, and Brigadier WJ Lawson, Judge Advocate General. The Minister and party arrived at Frescaty Airport, Metz where they were met by the AOC and Mrs. Godwin. After inspecting a Guard of Honour consisting of RCAF personnel, complemented by a French Army Band, the Minister attended a briefing in the AOC’s office and met the Staff Heads. In the interim, the ladies, escorted by the Command Women Personnel Officer, F/L Dalton, were served coffee by the airwomen in the new Airwomen’s Quarters and visited the station’s recreational and shopping facilities. Before lunch, the entire party proceeded to 61 AC&W Squadron for a briefing and tour of that unit as well as a tour of "Ouvrage d’Ars, the location of the abandoned bunker fortifications of the Maginot Line. After a luncheon with the AOC and Staff Heads, the party departed for 4 (F) Wing, returning to HQs on 27 Aug to attend an evening reception and dinner in their honour.

Mr. Jules Pelletier, Chief Assistant to the Director of the Bureau of Current Affairs, and Mr. HSC Archbold, European Advisor of BCA, paid an informal familiarization visit and held discussions with SOGT on the Current Affairs programme. Mr. Pelletier and Mr. Archbold made an informal tour of the Headquarters and Support Unit. A four man party of field engineers from "Marconi" arrived at 1 Air Division HQ to commence additional installation of electronics equipment in the Archer Cup programme. Their task was completed in three weeks.

Dr. William Dray, Current Affairs Lecturer of the University of Toronto, delivered two lectures to officers and airmen on the background of Canadian and European history.

Boy Scout Apple Day – Uniformed Scouts and Cubs of 1 Air Division Troop made the traditional canvass of all sections of the Headquarters and Support Unit.

The famed Farnborough Air Show held in Farnborough, Hants, England, was attended by officers of 1 Air Division HQ and the Support Unit.

Fort Bellecroix DND School opened for the commencement of the 1956-1957 curriculum. Those children in the more advanced grades were given a longer holiday until the opening of the new annex set for 17 Sep. With the addition of the annex, the school can accommodate approximately 400 pupils. RCAF personnel armed with mine detectors began a search for unexploded shells in the PMQ area following several reported discoveries of such relics of the last war.

The RCAF Support Unit Safe and Skilled Driving Competition was held at 2 (F) Wing. LAC PJ Lannigan won the honour of representing the Support Unit in the Air Division competition to be held later in the month.

Miss Shirley Higginson, Radio Commentator, visited 1 Air Division HQ to record radio material for private radio stations in Canada. She was met and assisted by the unit PRO. A parade comprising all unit personnel marked the occasion of the handing over of RCAF Support Unit from W/C ET Atherton, retiring CO to S/L CL McManus, CAdO and Acting CO. A Support Unit party was held in the new Recreation Hall the same evening to bid farewell to W/C Atherton prior to his return to Canada to fill the position of CAdO at RCAF Station Trenton.

A Guard of Honour marked the visit of Mr. MJ Coldwell, MP, National Leader of the CCF Party. After a briefing and meeting with Staff Heads, Mr. Coldwell accompanied by the Chief of Staff, toured Air Division facilities. Mr. Coldwell spent some time chatting with airwomen in the kitchen of their new quarters.

Major construction of Ground Services, including new roads, sidewalks and parking areas, was completed.

Mr. Thomas Frobes Lee, Manager of the Radar Fire Control Department of Canadian Aviation Electronics, Ltd., arrived to discuss with SOArm a contract to provide Tech Reps for the MG-2 Fire Control system.

The Air Division Safe and Skilled Driving Competition was held at 2 (F) Wing. A/C Clements presented individual trophies to the three winners who went on to represent Air Division in the Army and Air Force Inter-Command finals held at RCAF Station London Ontario from 13 – 16 Nov. The large trophy, indicative of team supremacy, was copped by 2 (F) Wing.

During the last week in September, the Support Unit operated a sub-mess at 61 AC&W Squadron on an exercise basis. This entailed feeding duty personnel around the clock. Utilizing four cooks and three FSA’s, 600 meals were served daily. The exercise proved the feasibility of messing 61 AC&W personnel on the site whenever necessary.

W/C GW Manning arrived at 1 Air Division HQ to hold meetings with medical staffs. He conferred with G/C HJ Bright, SOMS.

A/C RB Whiting and party visited Air Division to discuss our present construction programme and future requirements. Members of the party were Mr. JA MacDonald – Transport Board, Mr. HA Davis, /IM Office, W/C JD Shannon – AFHQ and Mr. John Sterling /DCL. These gentlemen were met by the AOC, CofS, SOCE and SOPO and remained at Headquarters for two days of discussion.

A wire tournament in track and field was held at Fort Bellecroix Stadium for the Support Unit. The purpose of this meet was to assist in establishing records for the various events (a) in the entire RCAF (b) at each Command, and (c) on each station in Canada and overseas. Regular members of the RCAF, reserve personnel on full time duty and NATO trainees were eligible for the competition.

Dr. JW Abrams, Scientific Advisor to the CAS, paid a familiarization visit to 1 Air Division. He was met by Dr. CW Leggatt, our Operational Research Officer of the Defence Research Board. At Headquarters, he met with the AOC, CofS, SASO, STSO, SPSO and SOMS, and visited 61 AC&W Squadron before departing for 1 (F) Wing. On 3 and 4 Oct he returned to Metz to continue discussions with ORO/DRB.

Foire de Metz – In tribute to the Canadian Forces in France, the city of Metz declared this to be "Canada Day" at its annual fair, which is in effect, an international industrial exhibition. All Canadian Service personnel were freely welcomed as guests on this day. An RCAF fly-past added to the colorful flag raising ceremony attended by the AOC with the Unit Guard of Honour and a Pipe Band from 1 (F) Wing participating. The Service also took part in the exhibition with an exhibit featuring a Canadian built Sabre jet and a cut-away Orenda engine. On continuous duty at this exhibit were bi-lingual personnel from HQ, SU and all the Wings.

The first Seminar of the Air Division’s WP (Admin) Officers was held at Headquarters under the direction of F/L EL Dalton, Command Woman Personnel Officer, and F/L JB Morris, Welfare Officer. A welcoming address was given by the SPSO, G/C CL Olsson.

Fire Prevention Week – Fire fighting lectures and practical demonstrations of fire fighting methods were given to 200 station personnel and civilians.

The DND School was officially named in honour of General Andre Navereau, Commander of the 6^th Military Region, Metz. The unit Guard of Honour, a French Army Band and pupils from the school participated in the ceremony, which was followed by an AOC’s luncheon in the Officers Mess.

W/C WP Pleasance, Director of Ground Defence, arrived to inspect Ground Defence training and operations. He was accompanied by F/L A Kinchen, GD4 and F/O DC Ewing, DAFS. Met by S/L Greenswood SOGD, he held discussions with Air Division Ground Defence Officers.

S/L CL McManus, Acting CO Support Unit, attended the Commanding Officers Conference held at Berchtesgaden Recreation Centre in the Bavarian Alps. On Saturday, 13 Oct, by message from Berchtesgaden, the AOC called a general alert at 1 Air Division HQ to test the speed and efficiency with which the unit could become "operational" during non-working hours. The challenge was successfully met and sufficient personnel to fill key and subordinate positions were on duty within a few hours.

The new Airmen’s Mess Hall commenced service. All those of Cpl. rank and below, and their civilian counterparts, are fed in this ultra modern building which boasts a seating capacity of 250 persons per sitting and all Canadian kitchen equipment. Presently, the approximate number of meals served daily is 900 with a maximum daily capacity of 1000 to 1200 meals when required.

After a close race for the Mayoralty of Fort Bellecroix, RCAF Permanent Married Quarters area, FS Stanley Smith emerged victorious. The hotly contested election had all the fervor of any small-town civic race and this unusual democratic proceeding attracted wide attention in Metz and nearby communities.

During a full parade ceremony, RCAF Support Unit was handed over by S/L CL McManus, CAdO and Acting CO, to the incumbent W/C BD Kehoe, newly transferred from AFHQ where he was in charge of Records.

G/C MG Doyle and W/C PG McLaren visited 1 Air Division HQ to discuss with SMVME vehicle administration, operation and utilization. Forty three members of the Canadian Industrial Preparedness Association paid a familiarization visit to 1 Air Division HQ and toured 61 AC&W Squadron and the Microwave Site. The AOC’s briefing was followed by a luncheon in the Officer’s Mess attended by CO and Staff Heads. Among the group, as representative of AV Roe Ltd., was Air Marshal WA Curtis, ex-CAS.

The Ground Defence Section, assisted by the Supply Section, issued and fitted 600 station personnel with respirator and phased them through the gas chamber test. The following week, 160 personnel of the associated units in the Paris area were issued with respirators. Personnel are required to keep these items in readiness at their place of duty at all times.

The opening of the new Airmen’s Mess Hall was officially marked by a formal mess dinner. Living-in airmen attended in mess dress and airwomen in civilian clothes.

A/V/M HAV Hogan, CB, DFC, Air Officer Commanding the 83^rd Group, RAF, visited 1 Air Division HQ. Met by the AOC, he inspected a Guard of Honour and attended a luncheon in the Officers Mess. A/C Blaine, AMTS, arrived from AFHQ to visit German industries and tour the Air Division units. At Headquarters, he conferred with SASO regarding simulator problems and with SOGT regarding utilization of training aids.

General of the French Air Force, Paul Stehlin, Commander if the 1^st Commandement Aerienne Tactique was met by the AOC at Frescaty airport, inspected a Guard of Honour, and visited 61 AC&W Squadron.

S/L JA Anderson, overseas to attend a meeting of the MAS Army Maps working party in London, England and a SHAPE Maps and Charts Committee meeting in Paris, visited 1 Air Division HQ for discussions with Staff Heads. Armistice Day – In commemoration of the Armistice of 1918 and the liberation of Metz in 1945, a 50 man RCAF component and color party participated in ceremonies sponsored by French military and civilian officials in Metz. The AOC laid a wreath at the Monument Les Morts and attended a reception at the Hotel de Ville (City Hall). All RCAF personnel not participating in the Metz parade, took part in a church parade at 1 Air Division HQ.

Mr. JA Aitken, AMTS/DCED (Roads and Grounds) discussed with SOCE and Staff, security fencing for grounds and aerodrome areas, various projects of the 1956-57 programme and future maintenance requirements.

Mr. GL Ostiguy, AMTS,DCED, paid a return visit to 1 Air Division HQ to discuss with SOCE repairs and alterations to the heating system at 2 (F) Wing.

After a brief period of re-organization, the Ground Defence section commenced two-day small arms courses for all personnel. The courses included lectures and firing on the range. Approximately 80 personnel are trained each month. The trainees were instructed on the 50 cal air cooled machine gun.

Thanks to the new Recreation Hall, inter-section winter sports competitions commenced at 1 Air Division HQ. Basketball, volleyball, bowling and badminton leagues ensured maximum use of the recreation facilities every night of the week. When news reached free Europe that the people of Hungary had stages a mass uprising against foreign domination of their country, the Air Division commenced a drive to provide food and clothing for many of the thousands of refugees crossing to Austria to escape the fearful recriminations of the Communist Hungarian puppet government. At its commencement, the drive was receiving wide response and gratifying sums of money, clothes and food were being amassed at Air Division Headquarters and the Wings.

Dr. William Petrie, Superintendent of the Operational Research Group of the Defence Research Board, visited Air Division Headquarters to discuss organization matters with Dr. CW Leggatt, CRO/DRB.