Metz, France
Support Unit (SU) Metz

The following officers held key positions during the period 1 Dec 60 to 31 May 61:

2 Dec 60

Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of Lorraine, visited General Navereau School, calling on children in kindergarten and the first three grades. Accompanied by Black Peter who had switches for the bad children, he was welcomed by the school principal, Mr. WJ Harris, and W/C AP Blackburn, CO Support.

Eleven candidates attempted the current set of Staff College entrance examinations with six completing them successfully.

A short but vigorous campaign was held to raise funds for the families whose homes were destroyed when an F-86 Sabre jet crashed into the village of Lichenburg in the Vosges Mountains killing three persons. $675.65 was realized from the Metz Complex units.

A Guard of Honour, commanded by F/L DA Peters, was mounted for General JMJ Accart, Commander of Premiere CATAC, on the occasion of his visit to Air Division Headquarters.

There were no promotions, extensions to SSCs, or PCs granted SU officers.

The CO of the Recruiting Unit at CJS London visited Support Unit to outline the ROTP to interested junior and senior matric students and their parents.

The Support Unit Food Services Officer, 49787W F/L EA Wright was awarded the insignia of the Canadian Forces Decoration.

Nine Flying Officers registered a total of 21 qualifying examinations. 81% passed the exams successfully.

Fifty Flight Lieutenants registered for a total of 101 QEs, with 70.3% being successful.

Miss K Anson of the Canadian Girl Guide Headquarters arrived at Metz to discuss Guiding problems in Air Division and inspect Guide troops at the various units.

A team of four personnel from 4 CIBG Soest, Major CG Forrest, Lt. LF Hana, Sgt. BE Appleby and Sgt. WD Welters, visited Support Unit to survey unit active ground defence requirements.

A Junior Officers drill refresher course was held during this period. It was designed to improve the drill proficiency of F/L’s and below at Air Division HQ, COC and SU.

More than seventy French and American women joined with the wives of Canadian servicemen for the Women’s World Day of Prayer service in the Protestant Chapel. The service noted the 75^th observance of the Protestant religious event. Among French women attending was Madame LeCoq, wife of the commander of the 6^th Military Region.

A lecture on drill and parade command was held in the Theatre for all officers of S/L rank. This was another phase of the program to improve the drill of those officers and NCOs called upon to fill executive positions on parade. A Country Carnival was held in the Recreation Centre to raise funds for the PMQ Community Council and Home & School Association. Approximately $1,000 was realized.

A lecture on drill and parade procedures was held for WOs, Senior NCOs and airwomen NCOs. This was the final phase of the course to improve the knowledge of personnel at this Headquarters who may be called upon to fill executive positions on parade.

Mr. ML Clossey, narcotic inspector for the Department of National Health and Welfare, accompanied by F/O D Long of 1 (F) Wing, conducted a narcotic audit at the SU Dispensary. Major WA Coles, assistant Director of the Armed Forces Postal Services (Europe) visited SU and inspected the local CFPO 109.

The Inter-Wing Badminton Tournament was held at 4 (F) Wing with SU taking the team championship. Individual winners were LAC Arakelian – men’s singles, W/C Giles and F/L Bennett – men’s doubles, Mrs. Fuller and F/L Bennett – mixed doubles.

G/C WM Diggle, W/C WM Ronberg, S/L RW Huson and F/L J Livingstone visited SU to brief MSE personnel on the new MSE management and costing system and to assist in setting up the pilot unit at Metz. They were joined by F/L TC Porter of ADCHQ/DMS who was reviewing new supply procedures in connection with the MSE program.

A Telecom party from AMC arrived and commenced installation of Single Side Band (SSB) equipment at Metz.

Dr, Eileen RB Snow, recruiting secretary of the Church Missionary Society, visited SU to discuss vocations, etc. with the unit Chaplain and Chapel Executive.

G/C D Gooderham, AFHQ/VCAS, visited SU to inspect Unit Telecom facilities.

S/L HJ Reeves, S/L WF Wiltshire (AFHQ/AMP/DACP) and WO2 T Brook (AFMQ/DPers) met with section heads to discuss selections for overseas duty, tour lengths, compassionate cases, assessments, promotions, releases, trade progressions and other items related to Airmen’s postings and careers.

The following Support Unit Personnel were promoted effective 1 Apr 61:

5 Apr 61

In response to a request from the Moselle Blood Transfusion Centre, a clinic was held at the unit which was attended by officers, airmen, airwomen, and Canadian and French civilian volunteer donors.

A rink skipped by F/L FH Lefeuvre defeated Sgt. A McKay, also of Air Division, 13-8 in the finals of the third event of the RCAF Europe Invitational Curling Bonspiel held at 1 (F) Wing.

The Surgeon General Canadian Armed Forces, Surgeon Rear Admiral TB McLean RCN, accompanied by F/L JW Tunney, inspected medical facilities at the SU Dispensary.

At a presentation ceremony held in conjunction with the regular CO’s Parade, the following were awarded the Canadian Forces Decoration by W/C AP Blackburn, CO Support Unit.

18 Apr 61

Trade examinations were held for Groups 1, 2 and 3. A total of 34 candidates wrote the examination, 4 were recommended for deferment and 1 declined to write.

The first issue of Chat-O-News was published. A bi-monthly bulletin with a circulation of 700 edited by the Recreation staff, the Chat-O-News substitutes for a station newspaper in bringing information on events in and around the Metz Complex to all personnel.

A troupe of Canadian entertainers headed by Gordie Tapp, Tommy Hunter and Joyce Hahn presented a variety show in the station theatre as part of their tour of bases in Europe and the Middle East.

The Air Division Players presented the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta "HMS Pinnafore". Directed by S/L DF Archer and starring S/L RW Tooler (SOMS) and Mr. John Young, a school-teacher from 1 (F) Wing, the cast was composed entirely of service personnel and dependents. After performances at ADHQ, the operetta was presented at the Wings and the American base in Metz.

The Support Unit volunteer band placed fourth in the Air Division Trumpet and Drum band competition held at 3 (F) Wing. Organized in March and competing for the first time, the band was augmented by several members of the Langar band for the meet.

As part of the ceremonies commemorating the twentieth anniversary of the enlistment of women in the RCAF on active service, and the tenth anniversary of the enrolment of women in the RCAF (Regular), a church parade composed entirely of women personnel was held at Support Unit. The salute was taken by A/V/M LE Wray, AOC 1 Air Division.

Lady Henrietta Banting, a S/L in the Supplementary Reserve, and on the staff of Women’s College Hospital, Toronto, spoke to the airwomen stationed in the Metz Complex as part of her visit to the continental units.

The Air Transport Command band under the direction of F/O EJ Robbins gave a concert to personnel and dependents at this unit. Concerts were also given at the Military Hospital and Esplanade Park in Metz. Highlight of the Airwomen’s Anniversary celebrations was a formal mess dinner for all women personnel with A/V/M JG Kerr of 4 ATAF as guest speaker. Following the dinner a dance was held in the Rec. Centre to the music of the ATC dance band.

The radio room was moved from the basement of the Chateau to Fort d’Ars with operation commencing the next day. SSB tests with the RCAF AMU Decimomannu were in progress.

The Most Reverend MA Labrie, CJM, Bishop of Hiltz, representing the Military Ordinariate, conducted confirmation services according to the rites of the Roman Catholic faith in St. Jean Baptiste Chapel.

Mr. Charles B Stafford, assistant executive commissioner for Boy Scouts training, Ottawa, visited SU to discuss scouting matters with leaders and officials of the movement here.

W/C AP Blackburn, CO/SU, presented a sports trophy bearing his name to Dr. HL Campbell, superintendent of DND Schools for RCAF and Canadian Army NATO forces in Europe. The new trophy will be awarded to the Air Division’s DND School scoring the most points in the Junior Division of the annual Inter-Wing school track and field meet.

A maximum effort wing parade was held on the occasion of the annual inspection of personnel of the Metz Complex by the AOC, A/V/M LE Wray. Canadian Forces Decorations were presented to the following:

Following the presentations a march past took place with the salute being taken by the AOC.

F/O RM Harding, a member of the Electronics Warfare Unit at Air Defence Command gave a one-day lecture to unit personnel on ECM and ECCM.

(CS Yarnell) W/C
CO, RCAF Support Unit