The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) played a significant role during World War II.
When the war began in 1939, the RCAF was relatively small, with only 4,061 personnel and 270 aircraft, many of which were outdated.
However, by the end of the war, the RCAF had grown to become the fourth largest air force in the world.
Here are some key points about the RCAF’s contributions during World War II
Expansion and Training
The RCAF expanded rapidly, reaching a peak strength of 215,200 personnel in January 19441.
The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP), based in Canada, trained over 130,000 aircrew from various Allied nations.
Operational Missions
The RCAF supported three main missions:
Home War Establishment
Defending Canada from potential threats.
British Commonwealth Air Training Plan
Training aircrew for the Allied forces.
Overseas War Establishment
Participating in operational missions in Europe, North Africa, and Asia.
Combat Roles
RCAF squadrons were involved in various roles, including fighter, bomber, and coastal patrol missions.
They played a crucial part in the Battle of Britain, the North African campaign, and the D-Day invasion.
Women’s Division
Over 15,000 women served in the RCAF Women’s Division, contributing to various non-combat roles.
Casualties
Approximately 17,034 RCAF personnel lost their lives during the war, including 28 women and 1,066 groundcrew.
The RCAF’s efforts during World War II were instrumental in the Allied victory and left a lasting legacy on Canada’s military history.
Aces
There were over 100 Canadian aces during the war.
Here are the top 5 Canadian flying Aces from World War II.
George “Buzz” Beurling
32 kills
Russell Bannock
28 kills
Mark Henry “Hilly” Brown
19 kills
James Francis “Stocky” Edwards
18 kills
Robert Alexander “Butch” Barton
17 kills
Sources
The Second World War (1939-1945) – part 1 – On Windswept Heights II …. https://www.canada.ca/en/air-force/corporate/reports-publications/on-windswept-heights-2/15-history-1939-1945.html.
British Commonwealth Air Training Plan – The Canadian Encyclopedia. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/british-commonwealth-air-training-plan.
History of the Royal Canadian Air Force – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Royal_Canadian_Air_Force.
Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) – The Canadian Encyclopedia. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/royal-canadian-air-force.
List of World War II aces from Canada – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_World_War_II_aces_from_Canada.
List of Canadian flying aces – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Canadian_flying_aces.
Royal Canadian Air Force – Bravery, WW2, Aces | Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Royal-Canadian-Air-Force/Bravery.
