Located 30 km north of Nanton,
the Town of High River has played a significant role
in Canada's aviation history.
| British Commonwealth Air Training Plan |
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"Have you figured out what you would do if you were driving along a road with a nervous horse and an aeroplane from the High River Aerodrome suddenly swooped down and frightened the horse into a runaway that smashed your wagon and injured the animal and yourself?" This quote from the High River Times (January, 1921) refers to the age of aviation coming to High River and possible conflicts with the traditional day-to-day life in the small Alberta town. |
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Early in 1921, the Canadian Air Force (soon to become the Royal Canadian Air Force) commenced operations at High River using a grass field northeast of the town. The unit had originally been established at Morley, Alberta in 1920 but the flying conditions near the mountains were less than ideal for the small aircraft. In 1921, four portable "Bessoneau" hangars that had been used in France by the Royal Flying Corps during WW I were erected and associated buildings were constructed northeast of High River.
Bessoneau hangars were canvas-covered with strong wooden frames. They had been used extensively in France and an experienced crew could erect one in a few hours. They had canvas curtains instead of doors and the dirt floors and lack of heat were serious disadvantages but they were the only shelter available at the time that they were used in High River and also at Rockcliffe, Ontario.
Sub-stations were located at Pincher Creek and Eckville. With ten aircraft in service that summer, High River enjoyed the distinction of being the site of the largest air station in Canada. 284 flights totaling over 700 hours in the air were recorded during that first summer. Most of the flights were patrols over the forestry reserve with the hope of spotting fires in their early stages. One of the aircraft went to Jasper, flying the park's superintendent about the park collecting survey and other information.
Under the auspices of W.W. Grant, the station was also very involved in radio that was then in its experimental stages. In 1922, the most powerful transmitter in North America was operated at the air station and when Grant was able to speak with someone in Hawaii it was hailed as a miraculous new step. Grant went on to establish the first commercial radio station in Alberta.
The purpose of the station was to fly daily fire patrols over the foothills and mountains between Eckville and Pincher Creek. A huge fire had recently destroyed vast areas of forest in southern Alberta. The station was also involved in air photography, the collection of air samples for botanical studies, and even dropped mailbags to the Prince of Wales when he was visiting his E.P. Ranch west of High River. Early experimentation in the field of parachuting was undertaken at the base and in 1925 a jump from a D.H. 4 aircraft piloted by Punch Dickens, who was then an officer at the base, was an impressive accomplishment. By 1930, a series of look-out towers had been established along the eastern slopes of the Rockies and the forest protection flights were curtailed. Some flight testing continued until the station was closed in 1931.
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The Calgary Aero Club had been active since 1927 flying out of an airfield in the Renfrew district of northwest Calgary. Upon the outbreak of war, the club was one of the largest in the British Empire, with 1000 listed members so it is not surprising that it was selected to spearhead southern Alberta's involvement with the BCATP. A contract was signed whereby the Club agreed to operate an elementary flying training school. The club members recommended High River as it had been used frequently by instructors and was thought to be suitable. However, Lethbridge was selected as the site and in early 1940 hangars and associated buildings were constructed and training commenced in July. Bill Smith was the original Chief Flying Instuctor. There were nine instructors and 24 students were in the first class.
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 Original flight instructors at #5 EFTS at Lethbridge. (l-r) Joe Patton, Homer Thompson, Bill Roy, Jock Palmer, Bill Smith, Ken Piper, Frank Hawthorne, Fred Lasby. [ Glenbow Archives NA 1170-3 ] |
However, high winds in the area proved to be a problem. In fact many landings were accomplished by "bulldogging" the Tiger Moths. Ground crews on the flatbeds of trucks on either side of the aircraft would reach out and steady the wings and assist in taxiing back to the hangars. The school was moved to High River in June, 1941 and the Lethbridge facilities became home to a Bombing and Gunnery School.
#5 EFTS was built on the site of the former RCAF Station where the Bessemer hangars were still available. Previous flying at High River had been done from grass but soon runways, a large hangar, barracks, drill halls, offices and other associated buildings and facilities had been constructed. The roads on the base were named after famous Canadian aces of the First World War (Bishop Drive, Brown Street, etc.). The school officially opened on September 23 with a ceremony attended by 2500 people. It included spectacular displays of flying. |
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Most of the staff were civilian but gradually many of the instructors became RCAF officers. The instruction of pilots for the war overseas was, of course, the priority of any BCATP school. However the social background to the instruction played an important supporting role. #5 EFTS had an orchestra, band, recreation hall, a stable to house the horses used by the riding club, and a recreation hall that was used regularly for concerts, dramatic productions, and movies.
De Havilland Tiger Moths were used to train the pilots until late 1942. The bi-planes served well, one veteran (#4080), had flown a total of 2359 training hours and carried at least 200 different pilots. It was involved in four accidents but none of the students had been injured. The Tiger Moths were replaced by Fairchild Cornells, an American built aircraft. A low-wing monoplane, they were somewhat underpowered. This was particularly noticeable on warm summer days at High River's elevation. |
 No. 5 EFTS Tiger Moths flying from grass at High River |
The BCATP's efforts to train pilots had been very successful and during 1944 it became clear that there would soon be an excess of qualified airmen. In March, 1944, the impending closure of the base was announced and by October operations were being wound down.
The main hangar still stands at the former site of No. 5 EFTS. An addition has been added to the south side and it is currently occupied by Willow Creek Homes Inc, a company that manufacturers modular housing. The building may be seen to the west of Highway #2, about two km north of High River. The owners are very aware of the history of their facility and proudly fly an RCAF flag outside the building.
Nanton's Warren Twins trained at the base and went on to fly Spitfires during the war. As well, Murray Peden, a Stirling and B-17 pilot and author of the highly acclaimed book, "A Thousand Shall Fall," learned to fly at No. 5 EFTS.
 Cornells at #5 EFTS (High River) |
 Tiger Moth line up at #5 EFTS (High River) |
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 Book written by Chief Ground Instructor, D. Carlton Jones. |
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