Historical Narrative
1 Air Division Headquarters
"Canadian Forces Network" - Radio Stations
30 Nov 59
During the past 18 months negotiations have proceeded with the French and German governments to allow the three bases in France and the two bases in Germany to operate radio stations, for the purpose of providing entertainment and news of a Canadian flavour. The content of programmes would consist almost entirely of tapes provided by the CBC at the expense of the Department of National Defence.
The original intention was to have a landline from the Canadian Army Radio Station in Werl, Germany to 3 (F) Wing, Zweibrucken and for the programmes from the Army to be retransmitted over the landlines and the RCAF micro-wave network to the five RCAF units. At present it appears that delays in the provision of a landline and the excessive cost of a landline will necessitate a separate RCAF network headquarters originating programmes from CBC tapes obtained from the Army after they have used them.
The transmitters have been purchased from a French manufacturer and the purchase of studio equipment is now in hand in conjunction with DDP. These purchases are from Public Funds.
In December 1959 Mr. Jack Craine of the CBC Armed Forces Programming Department visited the Air Division units and had discussions with appropriate staff officers at Air Division Headquarters. One of the results of these discussions was the decision to recommend that the CBC take over the operation of the radio stations.
An important aspect of these radio stations in both Germany and France is that they are to operate within all regulations laid down by the appropriate national broadcasting authorities, on an FM band on wave lengths specified by the German and French governments.
The staff of the radio stations is voluntary at present except for one Supervisor of Air Division Broadcasting Services, Mr. KT Haslem from CBC who is paid by the DND. It is intended to ask that the permanent staff be provided from public resources. The maintenance of all equipment purchased from public funds would be the responsibility of the Telecommunications organization within Air Division.