IF DAY carriers
 

I was looking at a downloaded photo on my computer of "If Day" in Winnipeg (Feb 19, 1942). It shows a nice line of early Canadian carriers cruising up mainstreet, simulating a German occupation. It was done as a war bonds measure.


Anyway, I notice that all the carriers have windscreens on them. I have not noticed that before, nor seen reference to them in Canadian manuals. Perhaps this was just a locally produced item for the near arctic conditions we get here in Manitoba. Thought some would find it interesting.


Here is a link to a video. You can see things like the manitoba license plates on the battery boxes of the carriers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8scLEt70yIE

If Day newspaper
 

I have collected some If Day stuff over the years.

Wow!! I had not heard of IF Day before. That is one hell of a way to scare the crap out of the locals. They went to some lengths to do this, with the uniforms, newspaper headlines and all. Thanks for sharing Rob and Rob.

They raised several million in 1942 dollars from the Winnipeggers that day. They are normally a frugal lot (after all, they have to pay the heating bill or else they will die) so this was quite successful.

I wonder what Regiment(s) provided the Carriers?

David

I've been trying to figure that out myself. They have the early DND numbering system where the initials of the unit are on top of the letter and then over the DND number. But I can't make out the lettering in this photo. Perhaps they are on the video....will look.

Did anyone seriously think that Germany could invade Canada when it had failed to invade the UK and was bogged down in Russia ?

Great idea for raising money though, they could do it again with Mexicans this time who will presumably set their sights on Canada after the US.

David

I have the orginal newspaper...
 

here are copies. Cheers Rob

Rob,

The early Ford instruction book does mention windscreens. A similar instruction book exists for vehicles built for the “Department of National Defence Canada”. I do not know if the windscreens are mentioned in the Canadian version.

Colin

Good info, thanks Colin.