SFTS #34

 

British Commonwealth Air Training Plan

No. 34 SERVICE FLYING TRAINING SCHOOL - MEDICINE HAT

Feb. 26, 1941 - Nov. 17, 1944

PRAIRIE WINGS now available. 
A book giving a detailed account of the #34 S.F.T.S. in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada.

Service Flying Training School Unit Badge
Motto: Our skies have changed but not our duty
Under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan No. 34 service flying training school operated from Medicine Hat airport from April 8, 1941 to November 17, 1944. The school was awarded the prestigious E pennant for efficiency in training many pilots for allied air forces in World War II. Appreciation is expressed to Medicine Hat and its residents for the cooperative and warm hospitality known to all stationed here.
Site Marker at
Medicine Hat Airport		 This memorial made possible by contributions from No. 34 S.F.T.S. association members and families branch 17 Royal Canadian Legion and private donors. This site was provided by the City of Medicine Hat
Site Marker at
Medicine Hat Airport

White cross at Hillside Cemetery with headstones in Background.
FORTY-EIGHT AIRMEN DIED IN TRAINING ACCIDENTS IN THE MEDICINE HAT AREA
MOST LIE BURIED IN THE FIELD OF HONOUR IN HILLSIDE CEMETERY, MEDICINE HAT

Line up of Harvards in April 1941 in Medicine Hat Alberta Canada.
Harvard Trainers, Medicine Hat, 1941

Harvard Trainer
Photo credit: Harold Bennett, Ely, UK.

During the Second World War there was a tremendous need for air and ground crew to be trained far away from the air battle fields of Europe. The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan - sometimes known as the Empire Air Training Plan was established. Canada was certainly far removed from the war front and became a great training 'factory' for men from around the world. Medicine Hat was chosen by the British Royal Air Force and the Royal Canadian Air Force for the training of pilots for both single and twin engine aircraft. Personnel came from England, Canada, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, the USA, Finland, Argentina, Fiji, Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland, France, Norway, Czechoslovakia, Denmark and Ceylon. Forty-nine were killed in training accidents in the Medicine Hat area. Of the 2000 graduates of this Station many would die before the end of the war in many far flung geographical locations.

This website seeks to honour those men who trained at #34 S.F.T.S., especially those who died.

Prairie Wings, a 200 page coffee style book has now been published as of November, 2001 and is based upon personal interviews, and the 'secret' diaries of this installation. 

If you have any information or questions related to this site please contact
    David J. Carter at


Also check out Behind Canadian Barbed Wire, the story of POW in Canada
Crash Scene, Medicine Hat Alberta
click for larger image

Crash scene Medicine Hat Alberta
click for larger image

June 1941. An accident occurred when an Oxford aircraft while taking off collided with another Oxford which was undergoing engine work-up. No one was injured.

 

Copyright © 1998, David J. Carter