Research by Clarence Simonsen
Little Norway Part Two
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Excerpt
Norway became the first European country to train aircrews in Canada and the only country to establish their own air training program. This training was officially approved by the Canadian government in August 1940, and from this date on the Norwegians intended to carry out a complete 70-week air training programme. The first official training began on 21 September 1940, [eleven student pilots] with an introductory course, then Elementary training at Little Norway, followed by Advanced training in Curtiss and Douglas aircraft, then off to England and twin-engine training, followed by Operational Training in U.K. By February 1941, after thirty-five pilots had been trained at Little Norway, it became obvious the original training plans would be far too ambitious an undertaking and their air training program must be scaled back. The RCAF were fully absorbed into the organization, and construction of the B.C.A.T.P., so the Norwegian government in exile in United Kingdom approached the British Air Liaison Mission and ask if they could use the RAF Schools in Canada to train pilots beyond the elementary stage. They also ask permission to use the RAF and RCAF schools to train air observers, air bombers, and air gunners. The Norwegian Air Force were now assigned advanced pilot training [Harvard’s] at two RAF schools in the Prairies, No. 32 S.F.T.S. at Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, and No. 34 Service Flying Training School at Medicine Hat, Alberta.
Preserving the Past II 