Page 7 - April 2019
P. 7
Canadian Aviation Moments
QUESTION: How did the tradition that RAF uniforms
would be blue come about?
th
Wednesday, March 27 7 - 9 pm ANSWER: “In 1917, the Russian Army had ordered a
large quantity of blue serge cloth from the British to be
Canadian Dam Busters
used in manufacturing uniforms for its military officers.
The Dam Busters World War II raid on the German The collapse of Russia in the fall of that year left the
dams is legendary. Canadians played a huge part in it British cloth industry encumbered with an estimated
and paid a high price; of the 30 who participated, 14 million square yards of unsold material. The pragmatic
were killed and one was a Prisoner of War. Ted will Brits lost no time in deciding this material would be
present the story of this raid, and focus on the ideal for the uniforms of the new air service
Canadians who faced the dangers with courage and In Canada, those members of the IRFC who had
determination. purchased or already ordered the green uniforms could
continue to wear them, but any new uniforms would be
Ted Barris is an accomplished writer, journalist,
made from blue serge. Thus was born the tradition
professor, and broadcasters who has authored 18 that RAF uniforms would be blue.”
non-fiction books. Many of his subjects concern
SOURCE: Dancing In The Sky, Page 236
Canadians and the sacrifices made for their country
during periods of conflict. These include; Victory at QUESTION: When and where was the first operations
Vimy, Juno, The Great Escape, Behind the Glory, and squadron of the RCAF formed?
Deadlock in Korea.
ANSWER: “On April 1, 1945, the first of the RCAF
Speaker Night is free, and open to the Public. operations squadrons, Number 1 Operations Squadron,
was formed at Jericho Beach. Additional duties were
We also offer cookies and coffee at a nominal charge!
assigned to the squadron, which included carrying out
combined training operations in artillery observation
and W.T (Radio) communications with both the Army
and the Navy. Along with the increased responsibilities,
the squadron fulfilled the seasonal forestry and fishery
contracts for 1925. Aircrews logged 45 hours on
forestry reconnaissance patrols alone.”
SOURCE: Jericho Beach, Page 24
