Marville, France

Historical Narrative
1 June 1959 to 30 November 1959
National Archives of Canada


List of Senior Officers 1 (F) Wing

Commanding OfficerG/C DP Hall, CD
Chief Administration OfficerW/C DC Skene DFC, CD
Chief Operations OfficerW/C G Sutherland
Chief Technical Services OfficerW/C KR Grimley CD
Senior Accounts OfficerS/L SC Hall
Officer Commanding 445 SqnS/L K MacDonald
Officer Commanding 441 SqnS/L H McLachlan
Officer Commanding 439 SqnW/C J MacKay
Senior Supply OfficerS/L CE Dorey
Senior Medical OfficerA/S/L JA Despatis
Officer Commanding Wing MaintenanceS/L WH Casley
Wing Weather OfficerS/L RH O'Brien


June 1959

STATION STRENGTH

OfficersOther Ranks
1861122

ARRIVALS

19581 G/C DP HallGL/Air/P from 428 (AW) Sqn
20616 F/O JJA O'ConnorMed/Sec from MACHQ

DEPARTURES

27650 S/L JV BissetMed/MO to St Hubert (Supy)
2393 F/L RD MacKelvieAS/FC to Stn Comox
25922 F/L LH HoganAS/FC to Stn Rockcliffe
44741 F/L FB JohnsonSup to Stn Trenton
17497 F/L RB BakerAir/P to 129 AFF Calgary
214083 F/O WG DoyleTech/AE to Stn North Bay

VISITORS

9 - 10 Jun 59

S/L Duncan, SOMS/MSO made a staff visit to the unit.

19 Jun 59

Three Argus aircraft with A/C W Clements and 38 officers visited 1 and 2 (F) Wings from 17 to 21 Jun. Purpose of the visit was to exhibit the Argus to Air Defence personnel. Personnel from Maritime Air Command were very impressed with the Air Div units and the role they played. It was not realized by many of the visitors that Air Div units were operating on such a large scale.

Control Tower

1 - 30 Jun 59

Arrivals

Local Traffic -2272
Canadian Military (Itinerant) - 237
Foreign Military (Itinerant) - 37
Total - 2546

Departures

not listed

General

1 Jun 59

Custom Office (French) was officially opened. This office being housed in the Supply Section with the Air Movements Unit.

S/L CJ Day assumed the duties of OC 439 Sqn replacing S/L RY Cannon who became COpsO.

14 Jun 59

Operation "Silver Dozen" which was comprised of 12 T-33s from RCAF Stn Trenton terminated at 1 (F)Wing.

18 Jun 59

G/C DP Hall officially took over 1 (F) Wing as Commanding Officer from G/C Williams.

19 Jun 59

Checkerboard Wheel 4 landed on emergency. Nose wheel collapsed and the aircraft caught on fire. The pilot escaped uninjured.

28 Jun 59

1 (F) Wing participated in an air show at Wevelgim, Belgium. Belgian authorities were very grateful and pleased with the showmanship of the RCAF pilots.

30Jun 59

445 Sqn flew a total of 371 hours 30 minutes, completing 241 sorties for the month.

439 Sqn flew a total of 650 hours and 45 minutes.

441 SQn flew a total of 709 hours and did 765 sorties.


July 1959

STATION STRENGTH

OfficersOther Ranks
1641076

ARRIVALS

130772 S/L JL TrudeauMed/MO (Reserve)
21496 F/L MS RenaudSup from Foymount
9900 F/L JH PhilipsAS/FC from 5 Air Div HQ
50193 F/L WM BristowAS/FC from SFC Camp Borden
132230 F/L A HanwellPers/SS/Rec from Sup Res
80588 F/O CA HillsAir/P from 1 (F) OTU Chatham
100308 F/O EA WoodwardMed/Nur from Mont Apica
21592 F/O RA JoelPers/Adm from MACHQ

DEPARTURES

151507 S/L WA MurrayMed/MO (Aux) TBA
22227 F/L DL GilmourMed/Sec to Namao
10606 F/O CJ TrickerPers/Adm to Stn Downsview
224883 F/O CJ TaylorAir/Obs to St Hubert
20065 S/L LJ LiggettAir/P to 3 AFS Gimli
Mr WR Neale (School Principal)to Ottawa
233266 F/O KH ChapmanAir/P to FIS Moose Jaw
19599 G/C DJ WilliamsGL to be CO Stn Trenton

Deaths and Funerals

10 Jul 59

243542 F/O SS Franko was fatally injured in a crash of a light aircraft at the RCAF Flying Club. The other occupant F/O WA Dubois sustained a serious leg injury.

15 Jul 59

Funeral held for F/O SS Franko at Toul Cemetery.

17 Jul 59

S/L CJ Day fatally injured in the crash of a Sabre on takeoff. A great loss to the boys on the Squadron and the station as a whole.

21 Jul 59

Funeral held for S/L CJ Day at Toul Cemetery.

Visitors

21 Jul 59

Maj FT Burgess Assistant Director of Armed Forces Postal Service and his replacement Maj W Coles visited the unit.

30 Jul 59

G/C AC Hull, CPlansI, from AFHQ made a staff visit.

G/C AH Smedmor, OC Canadian Armed Forces Identification Bureau visited.

Control Tower

1 - 31 Jul 59

Arrivals 1 (F) Wing

Local Traffic - 999
Canadian Military (Itinerant) - 295
Foreign Military (Itinerant) - 10
Total - 1304

Arrivals 1 (F) Wing Deployment Rocroi

Local Traffic - 270
Canadian Military (Itinerant) - 57
Foreign Military (Itinerant) - 4
Total - 331

Departures 1 (F) Wing

Local Traffic -999
Canadian Military (Itinerant) - 271
Foreign Military (Itinerant) - 10
Total - 1280

Departures 1 (F) Wing Deployment Rocroi

Local Traffic -270
Canadian Military (Itinerant) - 57
Foreign Military (Itinerant) - 4
Total - 331

General

13 Jul 59

441 (F) Sqn on compulsory leave until 2 Aug.

14 Jul 59

G/C Hall attended a wreath laying ceremony in Longuyon in commemoration of the war victims.

20 Jul 59

439 Sqn deployed at Rocroi, returned on 31 Jul.

25 Jul 59

445 Sqn participated in exercise Mandate.

31 Jul 59

30244 S/L RY Cannon ceases to be COpsO, appointed as Asst. COpsO effective 1 Aug.

Stn Infimary staff experienced a busy period during this month. There were 5 deaths resulting from aircraft and car accidents to date. One dependent child died as a result of a fall from a PMQ window. The hospitalization period was greater than for the same period last year.

Total flying time for the month:

445 Sqn 214 sorties for 332 hours
439 Sqn 650 hours 15 minutes
441 Sqn 406 hours 451 sorties.


August 1959

STATION STRENGTH

OfficersOther Ranks
1771072

ARRIVALS

4120 F/L EV WattsTech/Arm from AFHQ
23639 F/O GK MacKayAS/FC from Stn Bagotville
246236 F/O GM McRaeAir/P from OTU Chatham
80588 F/O GA HillsAir/P from OTU Chatham

DEPARTURES

Nil

VISITORS

16 Aug 59

DM Audit team arrived on the unit. Completed inspection and left on 4 Sep.

28 Aug 59

Dinner was held in the Officers' Mess in honour of Mr. Cronan and Mr. Ranson, NATO press correspondents.

30 Aug 59

Representatives from the Canadian Council of Churches accompanied by the Command Chaplain S/L E Gilbert visited the unit for 3 days.

Control Tower

1 - 31 Aug 59

Arrivals 1 (F) Wing

Local Traffic - 1168
Canadian Military (Itinerant) - 255
Foreign Military (Itinerant) - 7
Total - 1430

Arrivals 1 (F) Wing Deployment Rocroi

Local Traffic - 414
Canadian Military (Itinerant) - 81
Foreign Military (Itinerant) - 0
Total - 495

Departures 1 (F) Wing

Local Traffic -1168
Canadian Military (Itinerant) - 265
Foreign Military (Itinerant) - 7
Total - 1440

Departures 1 (F) Wing Deployment Rocroi

Local Traffic -414
Canadian Military (Itinerant) - 81
Foreign Military (Itinerant) - 0
Total - 495

General

1 Aug 59

21049 S/L KW MacDonald appointed as OC 445 Sqn.

20109 W/C G Sutherland relinguished command of 445 Sqn to become COpsO.

10 - 31 Aug 59

439 Sqn on compulsory leave.

9 Aug 59

Friend's Day was held at 1 (F) Wing. The personnel of the unit invited as their guests civilians from the local area. Between the hours of 1400 to 1700 guests were able to observe a static display, various sections, general flying programme with practice scrambles, a fastball game and a swimming programme. Refreshments were served and all guesst appeared to have a very busy and interesting day. This proved most successful from a public relations aspect.

12 Aug 59

The Station's Little League baseball team entered into a Championship tournament held at 2 (F) Wing. Unfortunately the team lost to the hosts 12 to 1.

15 - 22 Aug 59

Personnel from the wing participated in the Heideweek Festival held at Ede Holland. According to the letters received from the Festival Chairman, the wing's contribution was very well accepted and much appreciated.

19 Aug 59

445 (F) Sqn deployed at Sardinia AWU for rocketry and gunnery practice.

20 Aug 59

Rocketry Trophy shoot for the LLoyd Chadburn trophy was held -needless to say we didn't win.

The Station Pipe Band played at a funeral parade for 223569 LAC AE Pittman who was killed in a T-33 accident on 17 Aug. LAC Pittman was flying with F/O Rice and during a test spin the pilot was unable to recover. The pilot successfully ejected at well below the minimum height. During investigation it appeared that LAC Pittman, although acknowledging the order to bail out, did not attempt to do so.

23 Aug 59

Station Pipe Band played at a concert at Echternach Luxembourg

27 Aug 59

W/C Bowes and F/L Guthrie visited at Rocroi.

31 Aug 59

Flying time for the month:

445 (AW)(F) Sqn - 481 hours completing 429 sorties.
441 (F) Sqn - 697 hours completing 585 sorties
439 (F) Sqn - 122 hours 50 minutes completing 91 sorties.


September 1959

STATION STRENGTH

OfficersOther Ranks
1671006

ARRIVALS

228392 A/S/L JGA DespatisMed/MO from Lachine
246650 F/L LM AnholtMed/MO from 1OS Centralia
41160 F/L DL WhitakerAS/GDef from J ABC Camp Borden
246428 F/O CG ScottAir/P from Cold Lake
34638W F/O AAV CherkowskiPers/Adm from Lachine
224737 F/O DH LongMed/Pharm from Lachine
213061 F/O FP RussellAir/P from Cold Lake
232920W F/O NRY MarchandMed/Nur from Langar
151739 F/O E YakachukAir/P from OTU Chatham

DEPARTURES

27130 S/L LJ HillAir/P to LAC St Denis
200592 F/L CP MullinAir/P to TACHQ AU
28325 F/L AL GunnAS/GDef to Camp Borden
7615 F/L JPR FlemingAS/FC toStn Downsview
23337 F/L JR GuthrieTech/Tel to 2 (F) Wing
233230 F/O JYJC RheumeAir/P to 3 AFS Gimli
216445 F/O WR BarnesAir/P to 2 AFS Portage
80274 F/O GO RiceAir/P to 1 (F) OTU Chatham

VISITORS

15 Sep 59

Luncheon was held in the Officers' Mess in honour of A/V/M and Mrs Calder of the RNZAF and General and Mrs. Partridge of the USAF.

24 Sep 59

A/C DAR Bradshaw stopped over while on a tour of Air Div units.

24-25 Sep 59

Minister of Finance Mr.Fleming paid a 2 day visit to 1 (F)Wing.

Control Tower

1 - 30 Sep 59

Arrivals

Local Traffic -1923
Canadian Military (Itinerant) - 311
Foreign Military (Itinerant) - 18
Foreign Civil - 1
Total -2253

Departures

Local Traffic -1923
Canadian Military (Itinerant) - 271
Foreign Military (Itinerant) - 18
Foreign Civil - 1
Total -2213

Deaths and Funerals

3 Sep 59

The Station Pipe Band played at a funeral parade for 209884 Cpl PM Way who was killed in an automobile accident.

General

17 Sep 59

Station Pipe Band played at a Military Tatoo in Nymegan Holland.

20 Sep 59

Battle of Britain Sunday commemorated.

22 Sep 59

Safe and Skilled Driving competition held at unit. The winners were as follows:

221174 LAC JSW McBride
46174 LAC G Elliott
13533 Cpl RJ Wright

Prizes were presented by the Commanding Officer.

25 Sep 59

445 Sqn scrambled 6 aircraft for demonstration purposes for Minister of Finance, Mr. Fleming.

30 Sep 59

Flying time for month:

445 Sqn - 455 hours, 45 minutes for 318 sorties
439 Sqn - 698 hours, 35 minutes
441 Sqn - 625 hours, completing 545 sorties.


October 1959

STATION STRENGTH

OfficersOther Ranks
1691072

ARRIVALS

19727 W/C J MacKayAir/P from 1 (F) OTU Chatham
29461 F/L KR StaceyAir/P from 1 (F) OTU Chatham
151769 F/O JL MacArthurAir/P from 1 (F) OTU Chatham

DEPARTURES

236200W F/O MFA CloutierxxxMed/Nur to Stn Rockcliffe

VISITORS

1 Oct 59

Royal Air Force Flying College, Manby, England, visited the unit for a day.

13 Oct 59

G/C FW MacLean, Director of Religious Administration (Prot) and S/L EW Gilbert arrived for a staff visit.

19 Oct 59

S/L Batchelor, SOCE/2 Air Division did a staff inspection.

21 Oct 59

Luncheon held in Officers' Mess for Mr. R Churchill, member of the Canadian Delegation to NATO.

31 Oct 59

Prefect of the Meuse visited and was entertained with a luncheon in the Officers' Mess.

Control Tower

1 - 31 Oct 59

Arrivals

Local Traffic -1832
Canadian Military (Itinerant) - 296
Foreign Military (Itinerant) - 13
Total - 2141

Departures

Local Traffic -1832
Canadian Military (Itinerant) - 311
Foreign Military (Itinerant) - 13
Total - 2156

General

4 Oct 59

Bowling season commenced in great style. More bowlers than the alleys could handle.

Stn Pipe Band played at a concert at Rodange, Luxembourg.

5 Oct 59

Runway extensions completed.

6 Oct 59

445 Sqn had a fly past over Metz in observing "Canada Day".

9 Oct 59

W/C J MacKay took over as OC 439 (F) Sqn.

14 Oct 59

Airmen's Trade Exams written. Approximately 106 personnel attempted exams.

15 - 16 Oct 59

CO and CAdO attended CO's conference at Burchesgarten in Germany.

15 Oct 59

The Hook-up of NATO Pipeline was completed.

25 Oct 59

Air Division swim meet held at 1 (F) Wing. Our wing walked off with the trophy by a grand margin.

Flying this month:

441 Sqn flew 580 hours completing 471 sorties.


November 1959

STATION STRENGTH

OfficersOther Ranks
1741076

ARRIVALS

151983 F/O SAS HeinrichAir/P from 1 (F) OTU Chatham
25893 F/O LP MacDonaldTech/Tel from 1 R&CS Clinton

DEPARTURES

27836 F/L HM LepardAir/P to Foymount

VISITORS

2 - 3 Nov 59

Mr DB Kennedy, Liaison Meteorologist Joint Staff, DND visited the Met Section.

26 Nov 59

Col de Villmandy, Chief of the French Liaison Mission visited for the day. Luncheon held in the Officers' Mess.

27 Nov 59

Luncheon held in the Officers' Mess in honour of the King's Prosecutor of Arlong, Belgium.

Control Tower

1 - 30 Nov 59

Arrivals

Local Traffic -1137
Canadian Military (Itinerant) - 252
Foreign Military (Itinerant) - 8
Total - 1397

Departures

Local Traffic -1137
Canadian Military (Itinerant) - 250
Foreign Military (Itinerant) - 9
Total - 1396

General

11 Nov 59

439 Sqn flew to Sardinia for their semi-annual rocket shoot.

12 - 14 Nov 59

CAdO attended the CAdO's conference at 4 (F) Wing.

20 Nov 59

Final tally of Canada Savings Bond drive was made. A total of 648 assignments, 19 cash purchases for a total of $321,750.00.

23 - 27 Nov 59

Seven Officers attended an Intelligence Course at 4 (F) Wing.

30 Nov 59

Group IV results promulgated - 65% pass.