At the start of the Second World War, the British Government looked to the Empire and Dominions for air training help because the United Kingdom did not have the space to accommodate training and operational facilities, and because aerodromes in the United Kingdom were vulnerable to enemy attack. Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand signed the Agreement on 17 December 1939, it listed the percentage of trainees each country would send, the percentage of costs each would take on, the training schedule, and the aerodrome-opening schedule.

Between 1940 and 1945, some 151 schools had been established across Canada with a ground organisation of 104,113 men and women. By the end of the Second World War, the BCATP (Canada) and the EATS (Australia/NZ) had produced 131,553 aircrew, including pilots, wireless operators, air gunners, and navigators for the Air Forces of Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

During the early war years the RAAF & RNZAF’s primary task was to train aircrew for the RAF under the Empire Air Training Scheme, however when Japan entered the War both the RAAF and RNZAF turned their attentions increasingly to the protection of the Pacific and their own shores.

When the BCATP and EATS came to a close on 31 March 1945, the four participating governments had spent CAN $2.2 billion on the training plan, CAN $1.6 billion of which was Canada’s proportion.

The first New Zealand squadron manned by EATS-trained Pilots was 485 Squadron. 485 flew Spitfires bought by public subscription and were placed at the disposal of the RAF in March 1941.

This article will present a number of covers to and from New Zealanders who trained at some of these facilities. (To be continued)

(Fig 1) Cover sent from Waipu (J Class 34mm, 23 OC 41 2. Censor 129. Addressed to No 6 AOS (Air Observer School) Prince Albert Saskatchawan. Redirected to No 5 B & G School (Bombing & Gunnery School) Canadian MPO 1206. Airmail rate 4/-.

(Fig 2) Backstamp of Prince Albert Sask. Nov 3 1941.

(Fig 3) Cover sent from Auckland 9 Feb 1942. Civilian Censor 105 and addressed to RCAF HQ Ottawa. Redirected to 6 AOS. Airmail rate 1/3d.

(Fig 4) Backstamped with Ottawa MPO No 304 – RCAF HQ.

(Fig 5) Cover sent through MPO 312 Vimy Barracks, Barriefield, OC 3 .

(Fig 6) Addressee MPO 304 RCAF HQ.