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Aviation History
1943
1943 - 0636.PDF
256 F LIC H Y MARCH IITH, 1 NORWAY'S AIR FORCE A line-up of Fairchild PT 19sat the training camp at " Little Norway," near Toronto,Canada. the mountains to the West Coast, got hold of a small fishing boat, and sailed to England. They used the motor as long as the fuel lasted, and the sail the rest of the way. Together with thousands like them, they joined the Royal Norwegian Air Fora and then left for Canada, to begin their training at "Little Norway," near Toronto. "Little Norway" was begun by the 120 Norwegians who gathered in lx>ndo» in August, 1940, and after consultation with British and Canadian authorities, undertook the task of building a new Norwegian Air Force. To be precise, Norway has two separate Air Forces, the Royal Norwegian Naval Air Service and the Army Air Force, the heads of which are respectively Commodore F. Lutzow-Holm and Lieut.-Col. Bjarne Oen. For operations under present conditions it was found practical to put both forces under one command, directed by Rear Admiral Hj. Riiser-Larsen. It was expected that it would take quite a year to get the training camp at Toronto started, but this small band of men were so keen, and their numbers were swelled so rapidly by men who came from all corners of the globe, that the job was done.in three months. These men, in fact, contributed large sums, out of their pay towards buy- ing equipment, so keen were they to get things going. Fortunately they were able to get quick delivery of air- A Norwegian pilot receives a hearty welcome on his returnto base after a successful scrap over France. craft lor training purposes. Before the invasion they had already placed an order for about 100 American Curtiss P-36 fighters, Douglas 8-A5 attack bombers and American Northrop N-3PB seaplanes, and so there was no question of waiting. Fairchild PT 19s were also secured for ele- mentary training, and the others were put into use for advanced training. With a minimum of delay Norwegians were trained as air crews. At first many of the pilots received their opera- tional- training with the Royal Air Force, but now, ol course, it is possible for almost any of them to join their own squadron for this purpose. ' '• Little Norway'' grew with time until eventually it has become the largest and most up-to-date Allied air training centre in Canada. Superbly equipped by the Royal Nor- wegian Government—who incidentally are able to pay their way in every respect largely through the earnings of the great Norwegian Merchant Fleet—it attracted considerable attention throughout Canada and the United States. It is considered a model training camp—there aro three of them altogether, each regarded as a "town"-—where every air force trade is taught. Escort Work The first real job of work given to this newly created Air Force was that of escorting convoys. The flag was hoisted at "Little Norway" on November ioth, 1940. After in tensive training on the Lake of Ontario, and as far away as Vancouver, B.C., the first seaplane squadron arrived at Iceland in April, 1941, to take their part in routine work of reconnaissance and patrol. These airrqen have had their fair share of air battles, and they have accounted for a number of German raiders, to say nothing of the scraps with submarines they have had when protecting important convoys. They have also taken a leading part in air ambu- lance work in this northern outpost of Iceland. Other airmen were incorporated in R.A.F. Coastal Com- mand, and worked with British crews. - Many pilots are engaged on ferrying bombers across the Atlantic. Norwegian aircraft were the first of those of the belligerent nations to» visit U.S.A. when she was still neutral. A "Good Will" tour was made to Washington in Douglas bombers, and the airmen were given a great reception. American-Scandinavians contributed royally towards the cost of the Norwegian Air Force, and they have'paid ior-a goodly number of machines. Bearing R.A.F. markings, but with the distinguishing Norwegian Hag painted on the fuselage, the aircraft of these squadrons operate under .Fighter Commaad and arc doing good work. When Dieppe was raided TSst August two squadrons shot down 14, with four probables-and" 13 damaged. More recently in a sweep over France*t&e Nor- wegians accounted for seven out of the ten Focke-Wulf 190s which were destroyed by Allied fighters, thus demonstrat- ing that they are first-class airmen.
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