Norseman

Photo source: thisisme.ca

Very little light can be thrown on this generation ( the No. 2 (AC) Squadron stage) in the ancestry of No. 123 (Army Co-Operation Training) Squadron until the eve of war. On 24 August 1939 the Squadron, still under the command of S/L Van Vliet, received instructions from Ottawa to move, as quickly as possible, to Halifax, Nova Scotia. Two days later the move began, the aircraft (eight Atlas and one Norseman) leaving Trenton at 0600, the road party two hours later and the rail party at midday. After arrival at Halifax, "A" Flight was detailed to remain at that base while the rest of the Squadron moved to Saint John, New Brunswick. Late in October part of No. 118 (Auxiliary) Squadron moved from Montreal, Quebec to Saint John where it was brought up to strength bit the transfer of six officers and 43 airmen from No. 2 (AC) Squadron together with that unit's aircraft and most of its equipment.

On 1 November 1939 the remainder of No. 2 (AC) Squadron (five officers and 93 airmen) departed by rail from Saint John and Halifax, rendezvoused at Moncton, New Brunswick and reached Ottawa the next day. Here additional personnel were posted in; Lysander aircraft were received to be fitted with armament and wireless for delivery to operational units; and air and ground training was resumed.  The intention at this time was to form on Army Co-Operation Wing of three squadrons (Nos. 2, 110 and 112 squadrons), concentrated at Ottawa, to accompany the Canadian Army Active Service Force overseas. Prior to the concentration of these units No. 2 was to direct their training. On 16 December 1939 however, S/L Van Vliet's unit was "temporarily" disbanded and most of its personnel were posted to No. 1lO Squadron.

Westland "Lysander"

Photo source: thisisme.ca

Upon the disbanding of No. 2 Squadron the School of Army Co-Operation was revived under the command of F/L  (Flight Lieutenant – equivalent to an Army Captain) D.M. Smith.  Throughout 1940 the School remained at Rockcliffe, working closely with Nos. 11O and 112 (AC) Squadrons prior to their departure overseas. On the whole, however, little can be ascertained about the School's history during this period as it did not begin keeping a dairy until the beginning of March 1941 when its strength was reported as four officers and 61 airmen under the command of S/L E.H. Evans. The diary was not very illuminating, as most of its entries were simply “Normal routine - nothing of interest.” There are a few references to cross-country flights, a photo mission over Petawawa, Ontario, a "course of instruction”, one or two minor prangs and one serious accident.  On 5 April 1941 Lysander 432 crashed at Cardinal, Ontario, causing the death of P/O R.B. Aitken and his air gunner Sgt (Sergeant) Howard Winfield Chase.