RCAF Station Carberry, Manitoba

[sapper740]

Abbotsford municipal airport uses two WWII era runways for it's operations today. RCAF Station Abbotsford was the war-time home of 24 EFTS and 5 OTU, if memory serves me correct. A portion of the airfield is now home to 192 Airfield Engineer Flight Abbotsford, my old unit. We worked hand-in-hand with the city who now owns the airport and practiced our BRATT (Base Repair after ATTack) and RRR (Rapid Runway Repair) techniques while at the same time effecting repairs or improvements to the facilties. Once while operating a Ditch-Witch to run electrical power to a new parking lot we started kicking up dozens of war-dated spent .50 BMG cases from what we assumed was where the armourers tested the defensive weapons of the B24's flown there during the war.

[r.morrison]

If your interested Derek, you should get in touch with local Abbottsford "historian" Micheal DezMazes. I would say Mike is probably one of the foremost authorities on 5 OTU. He has a gazillion photos and tons of articles on the airport. He has done many a display and seminar for the local populace as well as "out of towners". PM me and I'll connect you up with him. Cheers.....Robert

[Marc Montgomery]

Although Lancasters get all the glory, fact is most Canadia aircrew flew Halifax..I think 70% of Canadian crewed flight were Halifax.

Sadly I dont think there's a flying Halifax, although a suitable restoration is in Trenton, it will never fly.

Interestingly most of the Canadians interned at Stalug Luft III (the great escape) seem to have been shot down from Wellingtons.

BTW- the majority of the people working on the tunnels,, planning, preparing maps, compasses, clothing, etc etc. were Canadians. dont think any Americans were involved at all.

Meanwhile, the MTB shop in Montreal during the war, apparently also made wings for the Mossie...makes sense as they had all the woodworking skills and equip