World War II Through Cartoons
Going to be a Hornets' Nest for Somebody
The Toronto Daily Star, Les Callan
October 11, 1939, 20th century
Ink on paper
PERS-15
This artefact belongs to : Private collection
Description
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Keys to History
Britain proposed that Canada operate training facilities for pilots and aircrew from Britain and the Commonwealth. Prime Minister King welcomed the idea and hoped to make the training program Canada's main contribution to the Allied war effort. He believed that it would involve fewer casualties than sending troops to Europe, and lessen the need for conscription. King liked the idea so much that he agreed to pay $353 million of the projected cost of $607 million. The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan would eventually produce over 130,000 flight crew members, a major contribution to the Allied war effort. King insisted that the Canadian graduates would be organized into Royal Canadian Air Force squadrons and not be absorbed into the Royal Air Force. Flying, air observer, bombing, gunnery, navigation and wireless schools were established in every province across Canada. The program did a fine job of bringing the Commonwealth together.
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What
Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand would need pilots, bombers, gunners, flight engineers, radar operators and others to maintain and man the huge number of fighters and bombers needed.
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Where
Cartoonist Callan uses the image of a hornet's nest to illustrate the Canadian contribution to air force training. By 1942, 107 schools had been set up across Canada. Canada's safe, wide open spaces were ideal for training.
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When
Agreement was reached on December 17, 1939, to establish the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. The first training school opened in April 1940 and the first air crew graduated the same year.
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Who
The Royal Canadian Air Force administered the schools, but mainly civilian pilots taught and trained the pilots and air crew.
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