Remembering the day that Canada declared war against Germany

I remember hearing the news on September 1, 1939; German troops swarmed across the Polish border and unleashed the first Blitzkrieg (surprise attack) the world had seen. Hitler had been planning his attack since March- ever since German troops occupied the remainder of Czechoslovakia. I was shocked that Hitler was this powerful and I predicted that he would be striving for world domination. The world was also surprised as it was breaking news everywhere. Everyone was talking about Hitler and the Blitzkrieg.

On September 10th of 1939, Canada declared war on Germany for a couple of reasons. War was declared in response to the fact that Germany had invaded Poland the previous week. Also, Britain and France declared war on September 3rd as Germany failed to withdraw their troops from Poland.

I remember the chaos on the streets when Canada declared war on Germany. My fellow male citizens were running around the streets wanting to enlist in the Canadian Corp. so they could support Canada in battle. Men were swarming around enlistment offices. I saw some people crying, especially women, since they knew their husbands would be going to war. Some citizens were not very warmhearted about going to war. Canadians were unprepared because we were still trying to get over the 10 year depression that was experienced. I remember some males were very excited to go to war because they wanted to join the war effort and support Canada. Posters were being put up as soon as Canada declared war on Germany. The advertisements to enlist appeared on everything from billboards, shop windows and theaters, to buses and streetcars and even matchbox covers. The streets were like a sea of indecisive people; having to make a decision weather they should enlist or stay at home and support for their families.

I knew what I was going to do. I remember seeing a poster that said to enlist to become part of the RCAF, which encouraged women aged 21 to 41 to join. From the poster, being a combat pilot seemed intriguing. I wanted to try something adventurous, since the majority of my life was uneventful, so I enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force. I was scared when I enlisted because being part of the RCAF would change my life. I would be leaving a lot behind.

What do you remember about the day Canada declared war on Germany? What decisions did you have to make? Was this decision a good or bad choice?

Remembering Difficult Missions

Since I was one of the first women RCAF pilots, I was typically responsible for helping other women train to become part of the RCAF. This responsibly was not very easy, seeing that most of us women were accustomed to cooking, washing clothes, and taking care of the family at home. However, since the job of a housewife involved picking up the pieces of their family, the women I trained had good work ethic and they were willing to learn. I was very courageous and wanted to explore something new. Training to become a RCAF pilot was hard work and you had to be motivated to become one.

There wasn’t much action back at home except for training women to become RCAF pilots. The most difficult mission happened when I was shipped overseas to replace a male RCAF fighter. War officials overseas were experiencing a shortage of personnel. Men were needed for actual combat duties and for training duties at British Commonwealth Air Training Plan schools across Canada. Combat divisions overseas needed support and additional troops. To let as many men as possible fight for Canada and fulfill wartime duties, some of us were called to the front line of fighting. We took over many responsibilities once held by men.

Women RCAF pilots were mainly part of the second line of wartime operations, encouraging males to get prepared for battle. It was completely different for me. I was terrified. I said my final goodbyes to my loved ones and got shipped overseas to Yorkshire, England. Let me tell you, being separated from loved ones and not having proper love was very difficult to live with. I felt emotionally broken.

Battling against the German air force was not the best experience. Knowing that at anytime your life could be taken from you was horrifying. Having thousands of German pilots shooting at your allies was not a happy encounter. I was glad I made it out safe, despite the fact that many were killed.