Aviation History In Canada
Overview
Instructor: Carson McGinness
Course: HIST 1055
Focus: Commercial Aviation and Flight Leadership
Weekly Learning Objectives
Week Seven
Recognize major Canadian contributions to the field of aviation.
Describe and analyze major historical events.
Analyze individual contributions of aviators.
Prepare for real-world workplace scenarios and their past.
World War Two
Dunkirk
Context
Sept 1, 1939: German invasion of Poland.
British Expeditionary Force (BEF) sent to aid France.
May 10, 1940: German invasion of Belgium and the Netherlands, followed by France.
Military Strategy
Initial Plan: Avoid heavily defended areas.
Modified Plan: Troops move through the Ardennes, known as the “Sichelschnitt” (Sickle Cut).
Key Events
May 21, 1940: German forces trap BEF in northern France.
BEF Commander General Viscount orders evacuation to Dunkirk.
May 23, 1940: A halt ordered for Army Group A, allowing Allied forces to prepare defenses.
Operation Dynamo
Dates: May 26 - June 4, 1940
Commencement: Operative at 18:57 on May 26.
Evacuated: 338,226 soldiers.
RAF Operations:
2,739 fighter sorties, 651 raids, 171 reconnaissance flights.
Claims: 262 enemy aircraft destroyed, 106 lost.
Tactical Analysis
May 28: 321 sorties flown, some at reduced strength against Luftwaffe.
May 30 - June 4: Fighter Command dispatches 109 sorties, only 27 at full strength.
Night evacuations carried out due to lack of protection during the day.
Weather significantly hinders Luftwaffe raids on Dunkirk.
Blockade and Siege
Initial Limitations
May 1939: Luftwaffe unable to inflict serious damage on Britain's war economy.
Intelligence Head Joseph “Beppo” Schmid reports Britain as the most dangerous enemy.
Post-French defeat: Increased attacks on shipping and economic targets for morale impact.
Operation Sea Lion
Alfred Jodl prioritizes destruction of the RAF as crucial for invasion success.
Considerations of naval superiority by Kreigsmarine; both air and naval dominance required before any invasion.
Battle Of Britain
Timeline
Battle Duration: July 10, 1940 - October 31, 1940.
The Blitz: September 7, 1940 - May 11, 1941.
German Aims and Tactics
Objectives include peace negotiations, blockade imposition, and the launch of Operation Sea Lion.
Hermann Göring: Strategic bombing to force negotiations.
Luftwaffe anticipated significant air engagement against a coordinated enemy.
Fighter Plane Analysis
Primary fighters:
Luftwaffe: BF-109, BF-110.
RAF: Hawker Hurricane, Supermarine Spitfire.
Features:
BF-109: Superior climb rate, 40 mph faster than MK I Hurricane.
Spitfire: Used 100 Octane fuel improving performance.
Fuel Systems Review
Fuel Injection vs. Carburetor:
Carburetors lose power under negative G's; injected systems maintained power under various conditions.
Bombers and Tactical Evolution
German Bombers
Main bombers:
Dornier Do 17, Junkers Ju 88, Heinkel He 111.
Ju 87 known for distinctive gull wings and successful use in Blitzkrieg.
Pilots and Their Contributions
RAF Pilot Dynamics
By mid-1940, RAF had 9,000 pilots across 5,000 aircraft, mostly bombers.
Experienced pilot count impacted by losses, Necessity for operational strength despite casualties.
Non-British Participation
Approximately 20% of pilots were from non-British countries, with numerous nationalities recognized for contributions.
Notable Stats:
Polish: 145
South Africans: 25
New Zealanders: 127
Canadians: 112
Luftwaffe Strategy and Tactics
Early Strategies
Close air support established during blitzkrieg; significant losses incurred.
Challenges in recon and resource rebuilding led to conventional bombings.
Tactical Adjustments
Directive No. 16: Preparation for Operation Sea Lion and establishing air supremacy over Britain.
Use of formations with 109's and BF110's, though the 110’s struggled with vulnerability.
RAF Fighter Command Strategies
Information Flow and Coordination
The Dowding system improved information relay from observation points to pilots, enhancing operational efficiency.
Tactical Adjustments
The RAF altered formations to counteract vulnerabilities; defensive tactics modified for multi-faceted assaults.
Critical Phases of Battle
Identification of Phases
June 26 - July 16, 1940: Nuisance raids.
July 17 - August 12, 1940: Intensified attacks on shipping.
August 13 - September 6, 1940: Main assault targets RAF airfields.
September 7 - October 2, 1940: The Blitz begins.
October 3 - October 31, 1940: Transition to night bombing and fighter bomber tactics.
The Blitz
Strategy and Outcomes
Directive No. 17 indicated plans for terror attacks.
Target selections based on perceived need for reprisal; notably, London became a primary target.
Aftermath of The Blitz
Battle of Britain: First major German armed forces defeat, impacting civilian and military morale significantly.
Post-war flight production estimates portrayed the RAF's capabilities and resilience.