RCAF Station Souris was a

Second World War World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

British Commonwealth Air Training Plan The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP), often referred to as simply "The Plan", was a large-scale multinational military aircrew training program created by the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand during the Second Wo ...

(BCATP) station located near Souris,

Manitoba Manitoba is a Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada at the Centre of Canada, longitudinal centre of the country. It is Canada's Population of Canada by province and territory, fifth-most populous province, with a population ...

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its Provinces and territories of Canada, ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, making it the world's List of coun ...

. It was operated and administered by the

Royal Canadian Air Force The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF; ) is the air and space force of Canada. Its role is to "provide the Canadian Forces with relevant, responsive and effective airpower". The RCAF is one of three environmental commands within the unified Can ...

(RCAF).

History

World War II

Souris hosted No. 17 Service Flying Training School (No. 17 SFTS). The school opened 8 March 1943 and closed 30 March 1945. Aircraft used included the

Harvard Harvard University is a private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1636 and named for its first benefactor, the Puritan clergyman John Harvard, it is the oldest institution of higher lear ...

and Anson. Emergency, or relief, landing fields were located at Hartney and

Elgin Elgin may refer to: Places Canada * Elgin County, Ontario * Elgin Settlement, a 19th-century community for freed slaves located in present-day North Buxton and South Buxton, Ontario * Elgin, a village in Rideau Lakes, Ontario * Elgin, Manit ...

Aerodrome information

In approximately 1942 the aerodrome was listed as RCAF Aerodrome - Souris, Manitoba at with a variation of 14 degrees east and elevation of . The aerodrome was listed as under construction and serviceable. Five runways were listed as follows: A review of Google Maps on 10 June 2018 shows that only the inner 14/32 runway remains as hard surfaced. The outer 14/32 runway and the two former 2/20 runways have been reclaimed for agricultural use. A review of the Souris Glenwood Industrial Air Park page shows the former 8/26 runway is still maintained as turf.

Relief landing field – Hartney

The primary relief landing field (R1) for RCAF Station Souris was located approximately 19 miles south-west. The site was located approximately 1 mile south of the now unincorporated community of Hartney, Manitoba. The relief field was laid out in the standard triangular pattern. In approximately 1942 the aerodrome was listed as RCAF Aerodrome - Hartney, Manitoba at with a variation of 14 degrees east and elevation of . Three runways were listed as follows: A review of Google Maps on 10 June 2018 shows a clear outline of the aerodrome at the posted coordinates.

Relief landing field – Elgin

The secondary relief landing field (R2) for RCAF Station Souris was located approximately 10 miles south. The site was located approximately 3 miles north of the unincorporated community of

Elgin, Manitoba Elgin is an unincorporated community recognized as a local urban district in the Municipality of Grassland in the Canadian province of Manitoba, Canada. It currently has a population of just over 100. Major attractions The Elgin and District Hi ...

. The relief field was turf with a triangular runway layout. In approximately 1942 the aerodrome was listed as RCAF Aerodrome - Elgin, Manitoba at with a variation of 13.5 degrees east and elevation of . Three runways were listed as follows: A review of Google Maps on 10 June 2018 shows no identifiable trace of the former aerodrome in the vicinity of the posted coordinates.

Present

The aerodrome is now the Souris Glenwood Industrial Air Park.

References

External links

Bruce Forsyth's Canadian Military History Page
{{DEFAULTSORT:Souris Royal Canadian Air Force stations Military airbases in Manitoba Military history of Manitoba Airports of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan Former Canadian Forces bases in Canada Buildings and structures in Westman Region, Manitoba