1 Wing - Marville

Totem Poles for Longuyon and Virton

Courtesy of Dave Obee

From the Vancouver Sun, page 21, 16 March, 1967:

Marville, France (Reuters) -­ Canadian airmen currently evacuating this base in eastern France have erected a 30-foot Indian totem pole as a souvenir for the local people.

The pole, carved by Pacific coast Indians from the trunk of a spruce fir, was presented by the Canadian government, which flew Simon Baker, head of the Squamish band, here from British Columbia for the ceremony.

It is intended to symbolize the gratitude of the Canadian airmen for the warm local hospitality they received.

Their fighter squadrons are in the process of moving to a new base in West Germany, following President Charles de Gaulle's request for a withdrawal of all foreign armed forces from France.

Extract from 1 Wing Marville Historical Reports

In Marville, as a final parting gesture, the RCAF bestowed totem poles on the two towns of Longuyon, France, and Virton, Belgium. On this day, March 11, all former Commanding Officers of 1 Wing were in attendance.


Click on the description text to view the photograph.
  1. Totem Pole in Longuyon - April 2005.
    Courtesy Jutta Missal.

  2. Totem Pole in Longuyon - April 2005.
    Courtesy Jutta Missal.

  3. Plaque on the totem Pole in Longuyon - April 2005.
    Courtesy Jutta Missal.

  4. Part of the totem Pole in Longuyon - April 2005.
    Courtesy Jutta Missal.

  5. Totem Pole in Virton - April 2005.
    Courtesy Jutta Missal.

  6. Totem Pole in Longuyon - June 2004.
    Courtesy Steve Bolton.

  7. The plaque on the Totem Pole in Longuyon - June 2004.
    Courtesy Steve Bolton.

  8. The RCAF "totem pole" in Virton - May 2004.
    Courtesy Darryl Danner.

  9. This "totem-pole" can be found in Longuyon - 4 May 2003.
    The "totem pole" is located on the N18 road through Longuyon.
    Courtesy Andy Little.

  10. Inscription on the plaque at the "totem-pole" in Longuyon - 4 May 2003.
    Courtesy Andy Little.

  11. The "totem-pole" in Longuyon - 4 May 2003.
    Courtesy Andy Little.

  12. Another view of the "totem-pole" in Longuyon - 4 May 2003.
    Courtesy Andy Little.

  13. Another view of the "totem-pole" in Longuyon - 4 May 2003.
    Courtesy Andy Little.

  14. Totem pole on the left. The road leads towards Verdun and the building on the right is the old school in Longuyon - 4 May 2003.
    Courtesy Andy Little.

  15. Totem pole in Longuyon - April 2003.
    Courtesy Ren L'Ecuyer.

  16. Totem pole in Longuyon - April 2003.
    Courtesy Ren L'Ecuyer.

  17. Totem pole in Longuyon - April 2003.
    Courtesy Ren L'Ecuyer.

  18. Totem pole in Longuyon - April 2003.
    Courtesy Ren L'Ecuyer.

  19. Totem pole in Longuyon - April 2003.
    Courtesy Ren L'Ecuyer.

  20. Plaque relating to the Canadian Totem Pole in Longuyon - 2000.
    Courtesy Harvey Schaan.

  21. The Totem Pole presented to France by the Canadians in 1967 - 2000.
    Courtesy Harvey Schaan.


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Updated: May 29, 2005