The Royal Canadian Air Force at the Dawn of the Second World War:
Structure, Command, and the Challenges of Wartime Expansion
When Canada declared war on Germany on September 10, 1939, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) was a small, under-equipped force, far from ready for the scale of conflict that lay ahead. Despite its modest size and the challenges of rapid wartime expansion, the RCAF quickly evolved into a vital component of the Allied air power. By the war’s end, it would grow to become the fourth-largest air force in the world, a transformation that owed much to its organizational resilience, strategic leadership, and the unwavering dedication of its personnel.
At the start of the war, the RCAF was composed of a fledgling structure and limited resources. It possessed fewer than 270 aircraft, many of which were outdated or unsuitable for combat. Yet, the RCAF’s commitment to innovation, its alignment with Allied strategic goals, and the leadership of key commanders laid the groundwork for its wartime success. Bruce Catton might have observed that the RCAF’s early days were marked by “a quiet determination to turn modest beginnings into enduring contributions, an effort reflective of Canada’s broader wartime ethos.”
The State of the RCAF in 1939
The RCAF in 1939 was an institution in transition. Established in 1924, it had spent much of the interwar period focusing on civil aviation tasks, including aerial surveys, forest fire patrols, and mail transport. These roles, while invaluable to Canada’s national development, left the air force ill-prepared for the demands of modern warfare. By the eve of the Second World War, the RCAF’s transition to a more military-focused organization was still in its early stages.
The RCAF’s personnel numbered approximately 4,000, including officers, pilots, and ground crew. The air force was organized into a handful of squadrons, most of which were stationed in Canada for domestic defence and training purposes. Historian W.A.B. Douglas, in The Creation of a National Air Force, characterized the pre-war RCAF as “an air force with more ambition than capacity, grappling with the dual pressures of limited resources and growing international tensions.”
The air force’s fleet reflected its civil aviation roots. Aircraft such as the Avro Anson, Westland Wapiti, and de Havilland DH.82 Tiger Moth were serviceable but largely outdated for the realities of modern combat. The RCAF faced the daunting task of upgrading its fleet while simultaneously expanding its personnel and training infrastructure.
Organizational Structure and Command
The RCAF’s organizational structure in 1939 was relatively simple, reflecting its limited size and scope. It was divided into two main components: Operational Squadrons and Training Commands. Operational squadrons were tasked with defending Canadian airspace, conducting reconnaissance, and supporting coastal defence. Training commands focused on preparing new pilots and ground crews, a role that would become central to the RCAF’s wartime mission under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP).
The RCAF’s leadership in 1939 was characterized by a mix of experienced officers and rising stars. Among the key figures were:
- Air Vice-Marshal G.M. Croil: As the first Chief of the Air Staff, Croil was instrumental in shaping the RCAF’s early structure and policies. A strong advocate for the integration of air power into Canada’s defence strategy, he laid the groundwork for the air force’s wartime expansion.
- Air Marshal Robert Leckie: Leckie, a veteran of the Royal Naval Air Service during the First World War, brought a wealth of experience to his role as the RCAF’s senior operational planner. His leadership would prove pivotal in coordinating the RCAF’s contributions to Allied air campaigns.
- Air Commodore Arthur “Bus” Bishop: The younger brother of legendary First World War ace Billy Bishop, Arthur Bishop played a key role in overseeing the RCAF’s training programs and international cooperation efforts.
The RCAF’s early leadership emphasized the importance of aligning Canada’s air force with British strategic priorities. This approach not only ensured access to British aircraft and training expertise but also positioned the RCAF as a crucial partner in the Allied war effort.
The Order of Battle in 1939
At the outset of the war, the RCAF’s Order of Battle was modest. The air force was organized into six operational squadrons, supported by training and maintenance units. These squadrons were primarily tasked with coastal defence, reconnaissance, and limited offensive operations. Key units included:
- No. 1 (Fighter) Squadron: Equipped with the obsolescent Hawker Hurricane Mk I, this squadron was Canada’s primary fighter unit. It would later distinguish itself in the Battle of Britain, becoming the first RCAF squadron to see combat overseas.
- No. 2 (Bomber) Squadron: Operating Westland Wapiti aircraft, this squadron was tasked with reconnaissance and light bombing roles.
- No. 5 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron: Based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, this squadron conducted coastal patrols and anti-submarine operations using the Avro Anson.
- No. 6 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron: Stationed on Canada’s west coast, this unit focused on defending against potential Japanese incursions.
The RCAF’s operational units were supported by a network of training schools and maintenance facilities, many of which would later be incorporated into the BCATP. While these units were modest in number and capability, they provided the foundation for the air force’s rapid wartime expansion.
Challenges and Early Efforts
The RCAF faced significant challenges at the start of the war. Limited funding and outdated equipment were compounded by a shortage of trained personnel. The air force relied heavily on British support for aircraft, training materials, and operational guidance. Despite these limitations, the RCAF quickly mobilized to meet the demands of the war.
One of the RCAF’s earliest contributions was its participation in the BCATP, a massive training initiative that would later be dubbed the “Aerodrome of Democracy.” Signed in December 1939, the BCATP called for Canada to train aircrew for the RAF and other Commonwealth air forces. This program would become the cornerstone of Canada’s air war effort, transforming the RCAF into a global leader in aviation training.
The RCAF also began deploying squadrons overseas to support the RAF. No. 1 (Fighter) Squadron, later renamed 401 Squadron, was among the first to arrive in Britain. These early deployments marked the beginning of the RCAF’s significant contributions to Allied air campaigns, including the Battle of Britain, Bomber Command operations, and Coastal Command patrols.
Legacy of the RCAF’s Early Years
The RCAF’s status at the start of the Second World War was one of potential rather than power. Its small size and limited resources belied the pivotal role it would come to play in the Allied war effort. By the war’s end, the RCAF would grow to include over 215,000 personnel and operate 78 overseas squadrons, a transformation that began with the modest foundations laid in 1939.
Bruce Catton might have reflected on this period as a moment of quiet resolve, when the RCAF, like Canada itself, prepared to step onto the world stage. “In the face of uncertainty and challenge,” he might have written, “the men and women of the RCAF set their sights not on the limitations of the present but on the possibilities of the future, building an air force that would soar to greatness.”
References
- 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.
- Hatch, F.J. Aerodrome of Democracy: Canada and the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, 1939–1945. Ottawa: Department of National Defence, 1983.
- Milberry, Larry. Sixty Years: The RCAF and CF Air Command, 1924–1984. Toronto: Canav Books, 1984.
- 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.
- 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.
- Keshen, Jeffrey. “The RCAF at the Outset of War.” Canadian Historical Review, 81(3), 1998, pp. 215–242.
- Halliday, Hugh. The Tumult in the Clouds: Canadians in the Air War, 1914–1945. Toronto: Lester & Orpen Dennys, 1989.