RCAF Station Souris was a

Second World War World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

British Commonwealth Air Training Plan The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP), or Empire Air Training Scheme (EATS) often referred to as simply "The Plan", was a massive, joint military aircrew training program created by the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zea ...

(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 o ...

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...

. It was operated and administered by the

Royal Canadian Air Force The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF; french: Aviation royale canadienne, ARC) 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 environm ...

(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. Founded in 1636 as Harvard College and named for its first benefactor, the Puritan clergyman John Harvard, it is the oldest institution of higher le ...

and

Anson Anson may refer to: People * Anson (name), a give name and surname ** Anson family, a British aristocratic family with the surname Place names ;United States * Anson, Indiana * Anson, Kansas * Anson, Maine ** Anson (CDP), Maine * Anson, Missouri * ...

. Emergency, or relief, landing fields were located at

Hartney Hartney is an unincorporated urban community in the Municipality of Grassland within the Canadian province of Manitoba that held town status prior to January 1, 2015. It along the Souris River. Originally established in 1882, the community is nam ...

and Elgin.

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 Souris Glenwood Industrial Air Park is located east of Souris, Manitoba, Canada. See also *RCAF Station Souris RCAF Station Souris was a Second World War British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) station located near Souris, Manitoba, Ca ...

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

, 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 His ...

. 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

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 Canadian Forces bases in Canada (closed) Buildings and structures in Westman Region, Manitoba