Formation and Early Development of the Royal Canadian Air Force (1914–1939)
The Genesis of Canadian Aviation in War and Peace
When the First World War erupted in 1914, the airplane was barely a decade old. Seen initially as little more than a novelty, the aircraft quickly proved its worth on the battlefield as a tool for reconnaissance, bombing, and air combat. For Canada, whose military aviation roots were inextricably tied to the efforts of individuals rather than institutions, this formative period set the stage for the emergence of a dedicated air force. By the Second World War, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) had evolved into a pivotal element of Canada’s military apparatus, demonstrating remarkable growth from its modest origins.
The story of the RCAF’s formation and development between 1914 and 1939 reflects the spirit of a young nation navigating the challenges of modernity and warfare. Bruce Catton, had he turned his eye to this narrative, might have portrayed it as a tale of transformation—a journey from improvisation and dependency to maturity and autonomy. The early history of Canadian military aviation intertwines with the individual heroism of Canadian pilots in the First World War, the interwar struggles to maintain an air force, and the eventual realization of the RCAF as a professional and independent entity.
The First World War: Canadians in the Air
Canada’s contribution to the air war of 1914–1918 began not with institutions but with individuals. At the outbreak of the First World War, Canada had no air force of its own. Aviation enthusiasts and adventurous young men flocked to Britain to join the Royal Flying Corps (RFC), the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS), and later the Royal Air Force (RAF), which was formed in 1918. Canadian pilots such as Billy Bishop, Raymond Collishaw, and William Barker became some of the most celebrated aces of the war, their exploits capturing the imagination of the public and inspiring a generation of aviators.
Billy Bishop, arguably the most famous Canadian airman, epitomized the daring spirit of the time. Credited with 72 aerial victories, Bishop was awarded the Victoria Cross and numerous other honours. His memoir, Winged Warfare, vividly recounts the perils and triumphs of aerial combat, and his exploits were celebrated across the Allied nations. Historian S.F. Wise notes in Canadian Airmen and the First World War that “the success of Canadian pilots in the RFC and RNAS underscored the latent potential of Canadian aviation, even if the infrastructure to support it remained underdeveloped.”
Despite Canada’s lack of an independent air force during the First World War, its contribution to Allied air power was significant. An estimated 22,000 Canadians served in the British air services, with over 1,500 losing their lives. Their experiences laid the groundwork for a more formalized Canadian approach to military aviation.
Post-War Beginnings: The Birth of the Canadian Air Force
In the aftermath of the First World War, Canada’s aviation ambitions were tempered by economic constraints and a lack of political will. However, the potential of air power could not be ignored. In 1919, the government established the Canadian Air Board, tasked with overseeing both military and civilian aviation. Its operations were modest but significant, including the first transcontinental flight across Canada in 1920 and aerial surveying missions that mapped vast stretches of the country’s northern wilderness.
The first iteration of the Canadian Air Force (CAF) was formed in 1920 as part of the Department of National Defence. Initially, it operated as a non-permanent organization with limited funding and resources. Training and equipment relied heavily on surplus aircraft from the First World War, such as the Curtiss JN-4 “Jenny.” The CAF’s primary focus during this period was on civil aviation tasks, including forest patrols, aerial photography, and mail delivery, rather than military preparedness.
The Royal Air Force played a significant role in shaping the CAF during its early years. Canadian pilots continued to train under British supervision, and the force adhered closely to RAF doctrines and organizational structures. As Michael Bliss notes in A Living Force: Canada’s Aviation Heritage, “The CAF of the 1920s was as much a cultural extension of Britain as it was a military force, reflecting Canada’s ongoing ties to the Empire.”
The Transition to the Royal Canadian Air Force
The CAF officially became the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) on April 1, 1924, when King George V granted it the “Royal” designation. This transition marked a step toward greater autonomy and professionalism, though the RCAF remained small and focused largely on peacetime roles. By 1925, it had only 44 officers and 245 enlisted men.
During the interwar years, the RCAF faced significant challenges, including limited budgets and a lack of public awareness about the importance of air power. However, the service expanded its capabilities through civil aviation programs and international cooperation. The RCAF participated in groundbreaking aerial surveys, supporting the development of Canada’s northern territories, and provided disaster relief during events such as the 1927 Newfoundland hurricane.
The 1930s brought renewed interest in military aviation, spurred in part by advances in technology and the growing threat of international conflict. Aircraft like the Avro Anson and the Northrop Delta represented significant upgrades from the surplus planes of the 1920s, and the RCAF began to develop its expertise in bomber and reconnaissance roles. In 1935, the RCAF was restructured as a permanent component of the Canadian Armed Forces, a reflection of its increasing importance.
Preparing for War: 1935–1939
As tensions escalated in Europe during the late 1930s, the Canadian government recognized the need to prepare for potential conflict. The RCAF began a period of rapid expansion, focusing on recruiting, training, and modernizing its fleet. By 1939, the force had grown to over 4,000 personnel and possessed more than 270 aircraft. While modest compared to the air forces of major powers, this expansion laid the foundation for Canada’s significant contributions to the air war during the Second World War.
One of the RCAF’s most important contributions during this period was its role in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP). Proposed in 1938 and formalized in December 1939, the BCATP aimed to train thousands of aircrew for the Allied war effort. Canada’s vast open spaces and relative safety from enemy attack made it an ideal location for flight schools, and the RCAF became a central player in this ambitious program. Historian J.L. Granatstein describes the BCATP as “one of Canada’s most significant contributions to the Allied victory, a demonstration of how the RCAF transformed itself from a modest peacetime service into a force capable of shaping the course of the war.”
Legacy and Significance
The period from 1914 to 1939 was one of profound transformation for Canadian military aviation. From the individual heroism of First World War pilots to the institutional growth of the RCAF, these years laid the groundwork for Canada’s critical role in the Second World War. The RCAF emerged from this period as a professional and respected service, ready to meet the challenges of a global conflict.
Bruce Catton might have reflected on this evolution with a sense of quiet admiration, emphasizing the blend of determination and ingenuity that defined the RCAF’s early years. “It was a story,” he might have written, “of a young nation finding its wings, guided not by grandeur but by the unyielding belief that even in the vastness of the sky, Canada had a place.”
References
- Wise, S.F. Canadian Airmen and the First World War: The Official History of the Royal Canadian Air Force, Volume I. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1980.
- Bliss, Michael. A Living Force: Canada’s Aviation Heritage. Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, 1991.
- Granatstein, J.L. Canada’s Army: Waging War and Keeping the Peace. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2002.
- Milberry, Larry. Sixty Years: The RCAF and CF Air Command, 1924–1984. Toronto: Canav Books, 1984.
- Halliday, Hugh. The Tumult in the Clouds: Canadians in the Air War, 1914–1945. Toronto: Lester & Orpen Dennys, 1989.
- Greenhous, Brereton, Stephen J. Harris, and William C. Johnston. The Crucible of War, 1939–1945: The Official History of the Royal Canadian Air Force, Volume III. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1994.
- Douglas, W.A.B. The Creation of a National Air Force: The Official History of the Royal Canadian Air Force, Volume II. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1986.
- Keshen, Jeffrey. “Canada’s Air Force in the Interwar Years.” Canadian Historical Review, 79(4), 1998, pp. 688–716.
- Hatch, F.J. Aerodrome of Democracy: Canada and the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, 1939–1945. Ottawa: Department of National Defence, 1983.