Metz, France

Participation in operational exercises, from Jun to Nov 57, is outlined in Appendix "A".

Operation "Nimble Bat" was concluded in Aug 57 when the fourth CF100 Sqn arrived, at 4 (F) Wing.

To preclude delay in transition from a peace-time to a war-time status, during the initial, and possibly decisive, phase of a future was, it is essential that the Operational Headquarters of the Division be established in its wartime location. It was decided, therefore, to renovate Ouvrage d’Ars, which is a nearby fortification capable of accommodating both the Combat Operation Centre (COC) and the Telecommunications complex, and which would afford reasonable protection from attack.

The French Engineers (Genie Militaire) gave approval and submitted approximate costs for the renovation envisaged. AFHQ approval for the conversion of Ouvrage d’Ars, at an original cost of $110,000, was received 19 Mar 57 and work commenced 10 Nov 57.

To reduce the possibility of being crippled by a sudden mass serial attack, SACEUR developed a plan for the dispersal of his forces, to improve their ability to withstand the initial blow and still retain a retaliatory capability. This plan, known as MC 60, was adopted by the NATO Military Committee in Apr 56.

SHAPE message AG6160 PANDP, 11 Feb 57, gave approval for the allocation of the following four deployment airfields to 1 Air Division:

1. Rocroi, France
2. St Hubert, Belgium
3. Stuttgart, Germany
4. Sandwiler, Luxembourg.

Bertrix, a well-developed field in Belgium, was later substituted for the German civil field at Stuttgart. (AIRCENT message EWPL 03124 1 Aug 57 and SHAPE message SH38286 4 Sep 57 refer).

During the latter half of 1957, the Dept of External Affairs has been negotiating Bi-lateral Agreements with Belgium, Luxembourg and France for the use (by 1 Air Division) of the deployment airfields.

All facilities which are to be common-funded have been sited at the four deployment fields, and host nations have submitted construction projects for NATO approval.

In Mar 57 the Chiefs of Staff Committee approved, in principle, SACEUR’s plan for deployment and pre-stocking. At that time is was stated that procurement action for this necessary equipment and supplies would be initiated immediately. (See Appendix "E")

AIRCRAFT CONTROL

61 AC&W Squadron – Phase I

61 AC&W Squadron began to operate in Jul 55 in Phase One of its development, with the limited GCI control capability provided by six operating positions. Plans for Phase Two (which envisaged increasing the number of operating positions and constructing an underground building) were not implemented. When CTel visited 1 Air Division in Jun 57, alternative proposals were considered.

During 1957 over 16,000 successful training interceptions were completed out of 17,700 attempted by 61 AC&W Sqn. (Canucks accounted for 11,500 and Sabres 6,200). This includes all types of training and operational exercises and represents a success rate of 92%. The RCAF Zulu Alert Sections were scrambled and controlled on 39 "LIVE" missions against ADIZ violators. 61 Sqn also assisted, either through radar detection or radio, in 174 cases of RCAF and NATO aircraft in distress. In 10 of these cases it has been assessed that crews and aircraft were probably saved as a direct result of the efforts of the Sqn. 32 other aircraft received primary assistance.

Initial renovation of MCAC site, near Metz, was financed by the RCAF, and this part of the program has been completed. The French government has authorized expenditure of 73 million French francs for further development.

MCAC provided approach control service for four USAFE bases plus flight plan service for one French and one RCAF base (Grostenquin). Control of itinerant aircraft on IFR flight was established for all traffic within the initial control area.

Radar hand-offs to GCA approach were practiced at the USAF bases by MCAC, but the limited number of such exercises at RCAF bases is restricted by limited facilities.

During 1957 meetings were held between representatives of the Italian, German and Canadian Air Force to plan the operation of a NATO Air Weapons Training Establishment at Decimomannu, Sardinia. Negotiations for a tri-lateral agreement were continued.

As an interim measure an RCAF Air Weapons Unit was activated and began operations 26 Jun 57. It provides weapons training for 1 Air Division aircrew and proving for armament systems of our aircraft. The permanent or support personnel (total 55) live in Cagliari, Sardinia; the squadron personnel (40 officers and 110 airmen) are housed in a barrack village, approximately three miles from the aerodrome at Decimomannu. The operations and administrative sections are housed in tents and temporary structures on the airfield.

The F86 and CF100 Squadrons, from the Fighter Wings, deploy to the AWU for a two-week and three-week period respectively. Sabre squadrons carry out fifteen air to air missions per pilot at 20,000 feet. CF100s carry out two weeks air to air rocketry and one week of air to air gunnery.

PERSONNEL

Manpower

An AFHQ Manpower Survey Team conducted a detailed study of Wing Maintenance and Sqn organization in 1 Air Division during the period Mar to Dec 57. Methods of improving maintenance efficiency were recommended in a preliminary report 16 Dec 57.

Effective 1 Jul 57 the personnel establishment for 1 Air Division was fixed at 6,200 service and 1,689 civilian positions. This establishment was 728 service and 248 civilian positions less than the minimum requirement which had been estimated for additional commitments imposed by the introduction of the four CF100 squadrons. The reduction affected all trades, but particularly Messing, Construction and Engineering, and Mobile Equipment.

With a steady increase in the number of dependents of school age, additional classrooms for the DND schools were required. Use of barrack block space was authorized and classes were put in libraries, science labs and teachers’ rooms. 3 Dec 57 a complete submission was made for 30 new classrooms.

The gross station fund sales, by units, for the year ending 31 Dec 57 were as follows:

The retail outlets contributing to the above revenue are:

Station Store (PX)
Grocery and butcher store
Snack Bar
Airmen’s Canteen
Corporals Club
Theatre
Gasoline coupons
Auto Club
Dental Clinic
Bowling alleys
Barber and Beauty Parlour
Hobby Shop

The capital values of the various messes and institutes, at 31 Dec 57, were as follows:

(HB Godwin) A/V/M
Air Officer Commanding
1 Air Division

Jun 57

General Policy:

Ground Defence policy has undergone several changes during 1957, which have been reflected in 1 Air Division. Passive Defence has been given a much greater emphasis than ever before with the greater probability of use of thermonuclear weapons and their much larger areas of immediate effects, i.e. thermal, blast and radiation. The thermonuclear weapon has also greatly increased the possibility of RCAF installations being effected by nuclear warfare, even though not necessarily targets in themselves, through radioactive fallout. Plans to mitigate the effects of fallout on air operations are being included in the War Plans of all installations.

In view of the ineffectiveness of existing LAA equipment, and the resultant waste of money and man hours, water cooled – 50 LAA weapons have been declared obsolete. A small quantity of air cooled weapons have been retained.

Active Defence activities have been generally restricted to training of personnel in personal arms and the maintenance of a Mobile Defence Force on each installation to cater to such hostile activities which are beyond the resources of the Security Police.

A duty analysis of the wartime employment of the SOGD staff was drawn up, covering employment in both the TACC and the COC. The prime duties would be the evaluation and dissemination of information vital to the passive and/or active defence of installations. This plan appears feasible but will require further testing and evaluation.

In order to allow for increased personnel requirements in maintenance trades, the Ground Defence establishment amongst others in the division has been reduced by 2 Ground Defencemen positions per Wing and one officer position at ADHQ. This reduction has caused some difficulty in reconciling wartime employment of Ground Defence personnel to the tasks which will be required of them.

During the latter half of 1957, the 1 Air Division Rifle Team entered the following competitions:

1. British Empire and Commonwealth Championships – Bisley
2. DCRA Annual Prize Meeting – Ottawa
3. Britannia Shield Competition – London

Outstanding achievements in the competitions were:

Cpl. RL Snelgrove (4 Wing) winning HM Queen Mary’s Gold Medal (Bisley), the first Canadian to win this award,

Sgt. G Marshal (1 Air Div HQ) winning the Silver Medal for 2^nd Place in the Britannia Shield Competition.

The Air Div team acquitted itself exceptionally well at each meet, as it has done for the past three years.

Ground Defence personnel of 1 Air Division participated in the 1957 Atomic Trials in Nevada, "Operation Plumbbob". Representation was distributed over three tests, codenamed "Bobcat I, II, and III". Three Ground Defence officers from the division, including F/L Dunbar of 1 ADHQ, attended, and a total of nine Ground Defencemen. The Ground Defence personnel formed a working group involved in various monitoring and decontamination tasks, in co-operation with the USAF and US Army. A number of officer observers of other trades attended the trials, including officers from this HQ.

With the framework of the air exercise, Ground Defence took an extensive part in "Counterpunch". A Passive Defence CPX took place, giving practice to Ground Defence and Pers staffs in reporting procedures. Both Security and Ground Defence measures were tested physically during the active defence portion of the exercise, with the co-operation of the Canadian Army.

Three new Wing Defence Officers reported for duty during this period, to 2, 3 and 4 Wings. S/L W Greensword was transferred from the SOGD position at 1 ADHQ to the JABC School, Camp Borden, and was replaced in Nov by F/L AA Kinchen.

June

Between the 3^rd and 6^th of June, Air Division held the third in a series of annual Evasion and Escape exercises. The exercise was called "Terrier Trek" and was held in the Vogues Mountain area of France. The purpose of such exercises is to train aircrew, under as realistic conditions as possible, the following:

1. Field craft and ground navigation
2. Survival techniques
3. To implement and organize evasion and escape techniques
4. To maintain good physical condition
5. To resist interrogation and political indoctrination – if captured.

There were 149 participating as evaders in the exercise. The four Wings supplied 105 aircrew and ground personnel; 12 officers of the 12^th Air Force USAF, 6 RAF officers from 2 ATAF, 6 officers from 1 CATAC – French Air Force, 4 officers from 1 Air Division HQ, 4 officers and 2 NCO’s from 137 Flight at Langar and 7 officers and 3 NCO’s from 61 AC&W Sqn.

The defence force of approximately 700 was composed of French Army troops and regular and reserve Gendarmes. Two interrogation centres were set up and manned by RAF, USAF and RCAF personnel.

Of the 149 participants as evaders, 72 successfully evaded, 6 were still evading at the end of the exercise, 66 were captured and 5 were taken out of the exercise for slight injuries. It was the general opinion of the participants that the training and knowledge gained form this exercise was of great value and it had been most successful.

A critique on Exercise "Terrier Trek" was held at 2 (F) Wing Grostenquin on Tuesday 16^th July 1957. The RCAF were represented by Air Commodore Clements and the French Forces by General Ferreboeuf with their respective staffs.

The main accent was on the fact that this exercise was the culmination of a basic training period, and was intended as revision and consolidation of work done. The overall picture of this exercise marks it as successful and many lessons had been learned on both sides.

The importance of this type of training for aircrew cannot be over emphasized, and the success of the exercise was due to the excellent co-operation given by the French Forces.

NIL

Between the 19^th and 22^nd of September Exercise Counter Punch was held. This exercise was combined CPX/Flying exercise. To provide realism, it was conducted from a dispersal area with both working and living accommodation being under canvas.

The intelligence section staff was augmented by war task assignment personnel and maintained a 24 hour working schedule in the Combat Operations Centre. The major difficulty encountered during the exercise was trying to conduct concurrently a CPX and an actual flying exercise. To intelligence the exercise was successful in that it revealed several weaknesses in the intelligence/operations reporting procedures and in the reporting system.

On the 16^th of October an intelligence conference was held at Air Division HQ. Those attending the conference were the four Wing Intelligence Officers, one officer representing 61 AC&W, and the headquarters intelligence staff.

After the opening address by W/C Knowles, SOOT, the conference covered establishments, war task assignment personnel, reporting procedures, administration and training and the other problems confronting the various wing intelligence officers.

On the 17^th of October an intelligence representative from this HQ paid a staff visit to 2 ATAF HQ to co-ordinate the details for RCAF participation in the 2 ATAF RAF Winter Survival School. Six courses of 13 days duration had be planned and the RCAF were allocated six places on each course.

The object of the course is to:

1. Provide instruction in Survival under severe cold weather conditions for operational aircrew.
2. Provide facilities for improving the physical conditions of students.
3. Give basic ski and rock climbing instructions.

On the 8^th of November the intelligence section participated in a one day Aircent CPX/live exercise called Synthex/Guest. This exercise proved unrealistic and did not provide any useful training for the intelligence section.

A Squadron Intelligence Officers Course was held at 4 (F) Wing Baden-Soellingen from the 18^th – 22^nd November 1957. The object of the course was to train selected RCAF officers:

1. to undertake squadron combat intelligence duties during exercises and operations
2. to indoctrinate squadron aircrew on current intelligence and intelligence procedures
3. to emphasis the function and importance of intelligence

Student officers were required to hold secret security clearance and where possible have a unit retainability of one year. 23 officer students successfully completed the course.

During the period in review liaison and staff visits were made by this staff to 12^th Air Force HQ at Ramstein, Germany; USAF(E) HQ at Wiesbaden; 4 ATAF HQ at Trier; SHAPE HQ at Paris; 2 ATAF HQ at Munchen Gladbach and to all Air Division bases.