Grostenquin, France

Location

RCAF Station Grostenquin is situated in the rolling hill country of the Moselle region of eastern France, 25 miles east of Metz. The station is bordered on the north, east, south and west by the villages of Lelling, Lixing, Grostenquin and Hemering. The nearest railroad services are at Faulquemont (8 miles) and St. Avold (9 miles). The Russian controlled border of East Germany is only 190 miles from the station. The area is predominately agricultural although coal mining is an important industry, numerous remains of the Maginot Line fortifications are in evidence throughout the area.

The construction of the station was effected by French contractors using French materials throughout. Infrastructure items such as runways, fuel dumps, and hangars were built to NATO specifications and will be paid for by NATO countries. The domestic buildings such as barrack blocks, recreational facilities, etc, are being built to Canadian specifications and will be paid for in their entirety by Canada.

With the arrival of 2 (Fighter) Wing aircraft on October 11, 1952, RCAF Station Grostenquin became the first Canadian operational station in Europe since World War II. The station provides accommodation for some 2,000 personnel in addition to providing the necessities to keep the aircraft of 2 (Fighter) Wing operational. This Wing is the first of four such Wings to arrive in Europe to join the other NATO forces in our mutual defence pact commitments.  The Wing is under the command of RCAF Air Division Headquarters located at present in Paris but which will be moving to Metz in the near future. It functions operationally under the Commanding General of the USAF 4 ATAF.

The first Commanding Officer, Group Captain John K MacDonald DFC CD, 35, of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, joined the RCAF in 1938. During the first three years of the war he flew with Coastal Command and from 1943 until the end of the war he served in Bomber Command in the United Kingdom. In 1944 he was made Commanding Officer of 432 Bomber Squadron. In early 1945 he assumed command of Middleton-St. George, a bomber base in the Canadian Bomber Group. From Sep 1945 to 1950 he filled various staff positions and returned to flying as Commanding Officer of 426 Transport Squadron in 1951. He is married and has four children, three sons and one daughter. His wife and family are residing in Canada.

The second Commanding Officer, Group Captain ME Pollard DSO DFC AFC CD, 32 of Montreal, PQ, became the Commanding Officer of RCAF Station Grostenquin on 28 Nov 52, succeeding G/C JK MacDonald.

G/C Pollard entered the Royal Air Force in October 1938 transferring to the RCAF in November 1944. While serving with the RAF, he flew Lysaders and Blenheim, Boston and Mosquito bombers, becoming Commanding Officer 107 Squadron RAF in 1943.  Transferring to the RCAF he was made Wing Commander Bomber Operations in 84 Bomber Group. During his wartime career he flew 2 1/2 operational tours consisting of 84 Bomber missions.

Returning to Canada early in 1946, he was assigned to the Directorate of Postings and Careers at AFHQ and in 1949 entered Staff College. In July 1950 he was appointed Officer Commanding 435 transport Squadron at Edmonton and in August 1952 he was assigned overseas as Director of Operations and Planning with 4th Allied Tactical Air Force.

G/C Pollard is married and has two children, a son age nine and a daughter age five. His wife and family are residing in Montreal.

Number 2 Fighter Wing consisting of three fighter squadrons, 416, 421 and 430, equipped with the United Nations leading high level interceptor, the F-86E Sabre, left Canada for their European station at Grostenquin, France, departing Goose Bay Labrador on the 30th Sep 52 and crossed the Atlantic Ocean via Greenland, Iceland, Scotland and arrived at Grostenquin on October 11 1952. The Wing, the first in history to fly across the Atlantic was delayed by inclement weather, arriving at France 11 days and only six hours flying time from the time they left Canada. At present, No 2 Fighter Wing is the only force in Europe equipped with high level interceptors, comparable to the Russian Mig 15 jet fighter.

430 (F) Squadron served during the late war as a photo reconnaissance squadron and was disbanded in 1945. The squadron reformed at North Bay, Ontario on November 1, 1951, and was initially equipped with the F-86E Sabre. The squadron formed under W/C JF Edwards DFC & Bar, DFM and on November 17 1951, he was succeeded as Officer Commanding by S/L Paul L Gibbs DFC, AFC, 34 of Edmonton Alberta. S/L Gibbs is married and has three children. His wife and family reside in England.

For its motto the squadron has chosen the Latin Slogan "Celer et Certun" – meaning "Swift and Sure". A silver falcon depicts its motto.

Disbanded at Utersen, Germany in March 1946, 416 (F) Squadron was reformed at Uplands, Ottawa on January 15, 19

51, and was initially equipped with F-51 Mustangs. During 1951 the Squadron played a major role in the Air Defence of Canada. One of the last fighter squadrons to leave Europe after the war, it was the first to return to it in peacetime.

In March 1952 the squadron was re-equipped with the F-86E Sabre and came under the command of S/L John Mackay DFC & Bar, 32, of Edmonton, Alberta.

The squadron crest, granted by the late King George, depicts a leaping lynx on the background of a Maple Leaf. The motto of the squadron is "Ad Semper Paratus" - meaning "Prepared to Pounce".

Disbanded in the UK in 1945, 421 Squadron was reformed at Chatham, New Brunswick in May 1950 and was initially equipped with Vampire Jet fighters. During 1951 the squadron served in England flying a late version of the Vampire with the RAF. It returned to Canada late in 1951 to be re-equipped with F-86E Sabres at St. Hubert, Quebec, and under the command of S/L RC Middlemiss, DFC, 30, of Montreal PQ, was assigned to Number 2 Fighter Wing.

"Bellicum Cecinere" – on the warpath - is the squadrons motto and is depicted by the full feathered head of a Red Indian.

A large number of Arabs and French civilians were employed in pushing the station to completion in anticipation of the influx of squadron and wing personnel. Mr. Claude Seneville of the Department of Defence Production was the engineer in charge.

No office space was available until the 11 October, two tents loaned to us by the French government served as offices.  One room in the contractors building was used to house the phone to Paris.

Personnel of the Advance Party were living out in hotels in the surrounding district.  Meals were cooked in Field Kitchens as heat and power were not available. Roads on the camp were in a very muddy condition.

Supply equipment poured in and due to lack of storage facilities was stored on the Marguerites, Hangars, and any other available space. Supply Section did a very efficient job under very trying circumstances.

The three F-86 Squadrons 416, 421 and 430 arrived at 2 (F) Wing after their trans-Atlantic flight. The squadrons flew in at 15 minute intervals arriving in sections of four every five minutes.

A large number of people were on the station to greet the new arrivals, all present were impressed by the punctuality and precision shown by the squadrons on their arrival.

After Press interviews the squadrons adjourned to the Mess for a welcoming cocktail party and addresses by various dignitaries, A/C Hodson, General Vanier, etc.

Officers and NCOs were allotted temporary rooms in the available barrack blocks. Heat was supplied by Herman Nelson Heaters and water was in short supply.

Flying was at a standstill for the week following Fly-In due to poor weather and the extremely limited maintenance and servicing facilities.

Weather – fog and low clouds in morning with intermittent rain and low ceiling throughout day.  Baggage for personnel has still not been received in many cases.

Weather – low ceilings and rain. Nil flying. Normal daily routine.

Weather – rain and heavy low clouds. Nil flying.

Weather – rain and clouds. Nil flying.

Weather – low ceiling, rain, cleared occasionally. Two flights the first since arrival were carried out.

Weather – low ceilings and rain. Nil flying.

Weather – Intermittent showers clearing. Flying limited to one flight. F/O Bamford failed to take off and crashed at end of runway - uninjured.

Weather – foggy in early morning, clearing about noon and becoming CAVU. A few flights carried out. Servicing facilities still limited.

Weather – overcast becoming CAVU in early afternoon. A few flights carried out. Lecture given to all pilots on armament by a representative from North American Aircraft Company.

Weather – low ceilings and rain in early morning becoming broken and finally clearing in afternoon. Theatre Troop of US Airmen from Nancy put on a very enjoyable show under trying circumstances. Two drop tanks fell off aircraft due to shorts in electrical system. Third such occurrence in 10 days.

Weather – sun in morning, overcast in afternoon. First aircraft left for North Luffenham on Operation Firebird.

Weather – overcast with heavy showers. Nil flying.

Weather – overcast, heavy showers. Nil flying.

Weather – overcast, ceiling 3000 feet. Several flights carried out.

Weather – good though overcast with intermittent rain showers. Nil flying. Another drop tank fell off and aircraft were grounded temporarily pending investigation.

Weather – poor, visibility limed. Several flights were carried out. CBC Representatives visited station. First pilot from station left for Korea.

Weather – clear. Several flights carried out. Five F-84s from Landstuhl USAF Base put on an amazing exhibition of formation flying. More sea luggage arrived.

Weather – overcast with showers. A number of flights made. This was a disastrous day as the following crashes were recorded. F/O Gagne landed wheels up at North Luffenham, F/O Buzik had a flame out and crash landed at Sculthorpe in England, F/O Pannell crashed a Sabre on landing at Grostenquin and F/O Tyson crashed on landing in England.

Weather – low clouds, overcast with rain and extremely high north winds. Several ferry trips carried out.

Weather – broken with occasional showers. Airdrome closed for runway repairs.

Weather – overcast with showers. Nil flying.

Weather – damp and dreary. Nil flying.

Weather – scattered clouds, cold. Delegation sent to Armistice Day Parades at St. Avold and Metz. Nil flying.

Weather – overcast. Nil flying. Most pilots are in North Luffenham on Operation Firebird.

Weather – overcast and snow during day. Nil flying.

Weather – overcast. Nil flying. CO's Parade held.

Weather – scattered clouds but mild. Nil flying.

Weather – scattered clouds becoming CAVU in afternoon. Nil flying. Aerodrome still closed for repairs.

Weather – overcast and snow. Nil flying. W/C Edwards made W/C Flying and S/L Gibbs took over command of 430 Squadron.

Weather – light snow in morning clearing in afternoon. Nil flying.

Weather – light snow in AM, overcast throughout day with snow in evening. Nil flying.

Weather – CAVU. A number of ferry flights made to England for the purpose of Operation Firebird.

Weather – overcast, rain. Nil flying.

Weather – low overcast, rain. Nil flying.

Weather – overcast. Nil flying. Four pilots injured in the crash of a PMC with a tree. F/O MacKay very seriously injured.

Weather – cold, overcast, clearing in afternoon. Several ferry trips carried out.

Weather – rain, low clouds. Nil flying. Working day changed from 10 days on and 3 days off to five and one half days on and two and one half days off.

Weather – wet freezing rain. Nil flying.

Weather – freezing rain, warming in the afternoon. Some sector recces flown. Farewell party for G/C Macdonald and welcome to G/C Pollard was held in the Mess.

Weather – rain showers and scattered clouds. F/O Buzik skidded off edge of runway into mud damaging undercarriage. G/C Pollard assumed command of 2 (F) Wing RCAF.

Weather – low fog, damp. Nil flying.

Weather – low fog, damp. Nil flying.

Weather – rain. Nil flying.

Weather – frosty and overcast. Little flying. F/O MacKay arrived on station by ambulance and airlifted to USAF Hospital at Weisbaden, Germany.

Weather – light snow. Nil flying.

Weather – clearing to VFR. Several practice flights for Hand Over Ceremonies carried out.

Weather – VFR. More practice flights carried out.

Weather – VFR. More practice flights flown.

Weather – VFR. Nil flying. Band concert given by 86 pieces band of the French Air Force.

Weather – VFR. Flights were made in preparation for the Ceremony on 13 December.

Weather – frosty, cold with poor visibility. Nil flying.

Weather – cold, poor visibility. Nil flying.

Weather – fog, snow, cold with low clouds. More rehearsals for parade carried out. Nil flying.

Weather – low clouds, fog, drizzle, poor visibility. Nil flying. Preparations for parade being completed. Fire in transformer put out lights and extremely high winds blew the roofs off many of the buildings.

Weather – cold, scattered rain showers. Station officially turned over to NATO by Hon Brooke Claxton in the presence of many dignitaries. Parade and fly past were held and a cocktail party rounded the day out. Pipe band from North Luffenham, a detachment of French Air Force and French Air Force band were from units other than Grostenquin. Scheduled aerobatics called off on account of inclement weather.

Weather – cold, VFR. Nil flying.

Weather – low clouds and snow, cold. W/C Atherton and S/L Stringer from AFHQ DFHS visited the station on routine security matters. Nil flying.

Weather – poor. W/C Jordon, S/L T Morton, S/L J MacDonald, W/C S Drake and S/L D Laubman from Air Division visited the station on personnel organization and accommodation matters. Nil flying.

Weather – poor. Nil flying.

Weather – poor. Nil flying. Party was held on the station for benefit of station from the surrounding villages.

Weather – rain, sleet. CO's meeting held. Muster parade held at which G/C Pollard thanked the airmen for cooperation during the past months.

Weather – low clouds, rain. Nil flying. Roof was blown off the RC Chapel for the second time. Section of roof from the No 3 and No 4 hangars were also torn off.

Weather – cold and windy. Nil flying.

Weather – low clouds. Nil flying. Air Vice Marshal Campbell and his EA, S/L Emond, made a tour of the station visiting various sections. F/L A Robinson visited the station on Telecom matters and S/L Paylor visited us on construction matters.

Weather – low cloud and drizzle. Nil flying.

Weather – low cloud, drizzle. Nil flying. Station stood down. Church services were held and the mass exodus of personnel proceeding on Christmas leave began.

Weather – CAVU. Nil flying. Christmas dinner was enjoyed by all with Carling's Brewery supplying the Christmas spirits. (5,000 gallons).

Weather – CAVU, overcast in late morning. Station stood down.

Weather – low cloud, rain. Nil flying.

Weather – cloudy in morning, clearing in afternoon. Nil flying.

G/C F Baker, STSO from Air Div and W/C D Holman SO Maint from Air Div visited the station on Tech matters.

(ME Pollard) G/C
CO, 2 (F) Wing, RCAF