The RCAF in the Second World War

This short documentary produced by students of Wilfrid Laurier University explores the role and impact of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in the Second World War.

[@albertawildcat3164]

Two of my Uncles and my Father in law were in the RCAF during WW2. Father in law was a radar operator in Beau-fighter night fighters. (costal command) My oldest uncle was a mid-upper gunner in a Halifax heavy bomber. (completed 36 missions) His younger brother was a Spitfire Mk21 pilot, They are all heroes to me.

[@TheWolfsnack]

My dad was an RCAF vet....served on the West Coast at RCAF Rescue Squadron based at Jericho Beach......he was a crewman on one of the rescue boats that patrolled the entire West Coast...Vancouver to Nome Alaska

[@sirkonopka8225]

My grandfather Donald Josef Duncan was a tail gunner during world war two with the royal Canadian air force

[@circlesgd8710]

a big congratulations to him!

[@horatiohornblower4123]

Mine was an aero mechanic engineer and was the best in his training school out of 50000

[@anthonyeaton5153]

That No 6 Group Bomber Command was based in North Yorkshire and had several stations one of which RAF Leeming where I served in the 1950s and as a civilian util 1997. Their main aircraft was the Handley Page Halifax then later the Lancaster. Approximately 900 Canadian airmen failed to return from operations from Leeming. There is a dedication to No 6 RCAF on the war memorial in Northallerton the nearest town. The rumbustious but friendly Canadians from Leeming once `stole` the lion which was on the top of the portico of The Golden Lion Hotel in Northallerton and took it back to the camp. The police made enquiries and the Lion was returned but not before it had done an operational sortie over Germany in a Halifax. Veterans were always made welcomed in Northallerton whenever they paid a visit.

[@canusakommando9692]

My Grams built DH-98's in London , Ont . Greatest Allied warplane. Women made everything during both wars. A great contribution. My Gramps was in RCAF BR10 Squadron Coastal Command hunting u-boats out of Gander. He finished flying Mossies getting ready for Japan. He was away 6 years. Came home a FLt.

[@Deckard3622]

Looks like a pan of a photo of Gander Airport 0:41 to 0:54

[@wombatwilly1002]

Excellent production.Gotta love the "Spit" and the "Lanc"..!!

[@w77yyz]

Good to see Prof. Copp. The elective I ever took at WLU... way better than the business degree classes I majored in!

[@bobsakamanos4469]

Waterloo Lutheran Univ? There were more Canadians in RAF units than in RCAF Units unfortunately. However, many rose to leadership roles for expanding the RCAF. Stocky Edwards for example was one of the best.

[@michaelbossenberry]

My granfather is alvin bossenberry he was squadron leader of the 408 goose squadron if anyone can send me any info to learn more please do

[@glen6945]

thanks fellow canadians

[@peteranthony51]

Sounds like a grade 5 schoolgirl's social justice critique of the RCAF...pretty lame...I love the RCAF and the role it has played....my dad flew Spits during the war...this subject deserves a much more professional effort.

[@bobsakamanos4469]

That's the agenda of the education system today.

[@robertlordon8511]

No mention of costal command squadrons????? Shout out to the 422 squadron RCAF

[@brentfellers9632]

Volume

[@georgeb.wolffsohn30]

What about the aircraft mechanics ? All those others mentioned would be grounded without them. that's how my dad served.

[@arrowbflight5082]

George B. Wolffsohn The true unsung hero's were the ground crews. Pilots knew, that if it were not for their trusty " fitters" and " riggers", they were nae goin' any where any time soon.

[@georgeb.wolffsohn30]

@@arrowbflight5082 I just read my comment and I realized how whiny it was. I didn't mean to belittle the contributions made by the pilots, air crew etc. Thanks for all who heeded the call in that desperate time. It seems that we need more people today with that same clarity of duty.

[@arrowbflight5082]

@@georgeb.wolffsohn30 Spot on. You hit the nail on the head.

[@rikitik100]

My dad was a mechanic during the war. He worked on harvards in Ontario and lancasters in Newfoundland.

[@bruhvard4619]

408 goose squadron leader Alvin Bossenberry my grandfather

[@burningblue1254]

My father was a Warrant Officer and a navigator in 408 Goose Squadron. After the war he was a Sub Lieutenant Medical Doctor in the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve. He met Ferdinand Demara who was the great impostor. Demara performed lifesaving surgery off of Korea on the HMCS Cayuga. His exploits lead to him being discovered. Tony Curtis starred as him in the movie The Great Imposter

[@normanwells2755]

It could have been interesting.

[@Vikingocazar]

Only a Canadian educational institution could take an insanely awesome subject and make it fucking boring. Bye.

[@wendigo63music55]

Spectacle is in the eye of the beholder.

[@ToddSauve]

Again, the audio is an _abomination_ in this video! You _have_ to take this down and normalize the audio to get everyone at the same amplitude and and the overall levels are way, way too low! Come on you guys! If you are going to post to KZbin and have your own channel then you MUST do these things _professionally_ or no one will pay any attention to you! This is important historical information but you are displaying the skill levels of the _rankest amateurs!_ I don't enjoy criticizing your work but this is not worthy of public consumption at this point! 🙄🥴😧

[@willchristie9843]

Really lady native Americans

[@johnkidd1226]

One of the ever changing politically correct terms used. What's your beef, asshole?

[@BusinessRaptor520]

Falsification of history.

[@georgeb.wolffsohn30]

What would you add ? This is an honest question. My knowledge about the RCAF in WW2 is limited.

[@arrowbflight5082]

@@georgeb.wolffsohn30 He is trolling, obviously. Everything stated herein is spot on with regards to the RCAF. If by chance you would be interested in learning more about the RCAF, i would be willing to lend a hand. Cheers.

[@georgeb.wolffsohn30]

@@arrowbflight5082 one thing I'd like to do is to acquire my dad's service records. Do you know how to go about doing that ?

[@arrowbflight5082]

@@georgeb.wolffsohn30 To get more info on your Dads time in the service contact the VA Of Canada. Your Dad will have to have been deceased for 20 yrs to get his complete service record. However, if he has been passed for say 8 to 10 yrs, then you will receive a portion of his records. You have to prove your relation, etc. and you can expect to wait about 3 - 6 months. Being that the 75th anniversary of D - Day is fast approaching i would think the wait may be longer as more people have likely made application for the same. Eight years after our Dad passed, my sister got the ball rolling and we received i'd say about half of his service records in about 4 months time.Give it a go. It covers from enlistment to discharge. It's interesting to read about all his movements, promotions and trade exam marks and trade competency level, leave, etc, etc. As the lads used to say, fill your boots.

[@georgeb.wolffsohn30]

@@arrowbflight5082 thanks for the info I'll see what I can get.

[@bubba_oats]

I found my grandpas journal for WW2. He was a tail gunner in a bomber and was credited with 2 shoot downs for the battle of britain and 1 on DDAY