Metz, France
Support Unit (SU) Metz


1955 – Narrative Report– National Archives of Canada


Secret
S 21-1

1 Air Division
Support Unit
Narrative Report
Period from 1 Dec 55 to 31 May 56

5 Dec 55

G/C WP Gouin – AC Staff OAMCHQ and S/L SO Decker – STO OMAINT AMCHQ – made an official visit to 1 Air Div to discuss the repair and overhaul of RCAF equipment.

12 Dec 55

Mr. Omer Anderson of North American News Alliance visited 1 Air Div to gather feature material for North American News Alliance.

14 Dec 55

General de Brigade Aerienne Challe, Commandant la 1er Region Aerienne, Dijon, France, arrived on a liaison visit to 1 Air Div and to 61 AC&W Squadron.

15 Dec 55

Mr. Carl Lahnan of the National Film Board visited 1 Air Div to liaise with Education officers, Welfare officers, and Public Relations officers regarding the usage and distribution of NFB Films for community relations programmes, school visual education and general interest.

16 Dec 55

A Christmas party was held at the Professional Ecole for the 110 children of the Bon Pasteur Orphanage. Movies on Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse were shown and ice cream was served. Santa Claus visited the children and presented each with a gift.

18 Dec 55

The Chapel, built by the original owners of the Chateau de Mercy in 1626 was restored by the RCAF for the service of RC personnel and was dedicated to St. John the Baptist by the Benediction of His Excellency Mons. Joseph John Heintz, Bishop of Metz.

25 Dec 55

On this Christmas morning an old-fashioned Christmas Dinner was served to the children of the Bob Pasteur Orphanage by officers and airmen of 1 Air Div and their wives.

1 Jan 56

Promotions:

23527 G/C HJ Bright

201701 F/L AB Stirling

Permanent Commissions:

16514 F/O R Turner

201701 F/L AB Stirling

The Admin Unit became the Support Unit with the AUO – W/C ET Atherton, CD, - as the first Commanding Officer. The purpose of the SU will be to perform the function of a station in providing domestic, administrative and financial and technical services for 1 Air Div HQ, 61 AC&W Squadron, 601 Telecom Relay Squadron Detachment, 6 Movements Unit Paris, SIU (E), 1 Air Div Dental and Postal Unit and the Integrated Staffs at SHAPE, AIRCENT, and 4 ATAF.

13 Jan 56

Dr. William Dray of Toronto University visited 1 Air Div for the purpose of giving Current Affairs Lectures on the History and Government of Canada and on World History.

16 Jan 56

Mr. Charles Quick and Mr. Robert Hesketh of Fox Motivation News arrived at 1 Air Div regarding general news photography.

19 Jan 56

The election of PMQ Councillors was held. Bon Pasteur Orphanage gave a concert in honour of all those committee members and workers of the 1955 Orphans Christmas Party.

30 – 31 Jan 56

Mr. EB Armstrong, Assistant Deputy Minister of Finance, held financial discussions at 1 Air Div.

8 Feb 56

A light aeroplane club – the Canuck Flying Club – was formed.

9 Feb 56

Mr. Stephen Franklin of Weekend Magazine visited 1 Air Div to obtain story material on the 1 Air Div Orphanage adoption.

14 Feb 56

Dr. Robert Westwater was at 1 Air Div to give a current affairs lecture on the "Middle East".

16 Feb 56

F/O RW Rapley, AMCHQ/STSO/SOSUP, visited 1 Air Div to obtain knowledge on overseas movements procedures.

6 Mar 56

Mr. Gilbert Rheaume, Continental Representative of the Bank of Montreal, visited 1 Air Div to discuss the establishment of Canadian Banks at Continental formations.

7 Mar 56

A Father and Son Banquet for all Cubs and Scouts was held on the occasion of the visit of Major-General Spry to 1 Air Div.

13 Mar 56

G/C CL Ingles – AMTS/DECA – accompanied by Mr. AT Morgan and Mr. B Baribeau visited 1 Air Div regarding construction requirements.

13 Mar 56

His Excellency Archbishop M Roy, Bishop Ordinary (RC) Canadian Armed Forces accompanied by Rt. Rev. JS Berry, Archbishop of Halifax and Rev. JM Broches arrived at 1 Air Div on the first step in a tour of RCAF and Army Units in Europe.

20 Mar 56

Mr. T Nacartney Filgate of the National Film Board accompanied by F/L JD Palmer, PRO of CJS (London) arrived at 1 Air Div to do Script research for a RCAF sponsored indoctrination film. Air Chief Marshal Sir George H Mills, RCB, DFC, accompanied by Major-General Robert M Lee, General de Division GEA Venot and Air Commodore SW Coleman paid a liaison visit to 1 Air Div.

26 Mar 56

A Canadian Party paid a liaison visit to 1 Air Div.

3 – 4 Apr 56

S/L Pickard – VCAS/CAOps/DASS – F/L Snowden and Mr. WD Callaghan of AMTS/CCE held discussions at 1 Air Div on Flight Info Criteria instrument procedures and flying control problems.

4 Apr 56

S/L ED Kelly, F/L RK Scott, F/L HI Pike and F/O UR Windover paid a CFS Liaison visit to 1 Air Div.

7 Apr 56

Mr. HV Tucker – VCAS/CAOPS/DASS – visited 1 Air Div on an inspection of Met facilities and the SHAPE Meteorological Committee meeting. He made two return visits later on in the month. Mr. Frank Sheer, Freelance writer toured 1 Air Div gathering material on the Division for feature and news stories.

14 – 15 Apr 56

The Air Division Bowling Championship Tournament was played with 1 Air Div placing second. F/L TA Newman visited 1 Air Div to discuss courier duties and ADA problems.

17 Apr 56

Air Marshal HP Fraser, Chief of Staff AAFCE accompanied by A/C WR MacBrien and aide was greeted by the AOC and inspected a Guard of Honour during his recent visit to 1 Air Div.

18 – 19 Apr 56

A/V/M CR Dunlop, CBE, CD, Vice Chief of the Air Staff, accompanied by S/L AR Durston, CD, paid an official visit to 1 Air Div. He was greeted by the AOC and inspected a Guard of Honour. Later he was guest at a cocktail party and a buffet dinner.

20 – 21 Apr 56

G/C FW MacLean, AMP/DRA/PROT, paid an annual staff visit to the 61 AC&W Squadron, the Support Unit and Headquarters.

21 Apr 56

Mr. Ken Metherall, UK Canadian News Press Correspondent toured 1 Air Div gathering material for feature and news stories on the Air Div for publication in Canadian Dailies.

25 – 27 Apr 56

The Air Div Small Arms Trophy Competition was held at 4 Wing. 1 Air Div lost out but the winners, representatives of the Wings, went on to win in England and in Canada.

28 – 29 Apr 56

1 Air Div won the Women’s Air Div Volleyball Championship and came fourth in the Men’s.

2 May 56

Mr. AA Zimmerman, Chairman of DRB, made a liaison visit to 1 Air Div.

4 May 56

General de Division Aerienne Andrier and Mr. De La Tour Du Pin made an official visit to 1 Air Div, met the AOC and reviewed a Guard of Honour.

5 May 56

The Director General of Medical Services (Air) accompanied by W/C HB Hay, SOMS CJS (L), stopped off at HQ on an inspection of medical services at Air Division units.

8 May 56

Eleventh Anniversary of the Armistice (VE Day) of 1945. Ceremonies were held in the city of Metz with French, American and Canadian military personnel participating. Canada was represented by a flight of 42 men with colours. W/C HE Smith and F/L G Inglis were the officers in charge. The AOC laid a wreath at the cenotaph.

14 May 56

S/L Banks, AFHQ/DAFS, visited 1 Air Div for a security survey and lectures. General d’Armee P Bailly, CAS, FAF accompanied by several senior French officers and A/C MacBrien made an official visit to 1 Air Div. He was greeted by the AOC, inspected a Guard of Honour and attended a luncheon held in his honour.

20 – 22 May 56 and
25 – 27 May 56

Brigadier EM Wansbrough, OBE, MM, ED, CD, Director General of Dental Services visited 1 Air Div on an inspection of Dental Services.

 

(BD Kehoe) W/C
Commanding Officer
RCAF Support Unit
Metz, Moselle, France