To understand why and how the Air Cadet League of Canada came into being, it is necessary to recall the early days of World War II. France had fallen and Britain was under heavy attack from the air, in what is now known as the Battle of Britain. An invasion of Britain seemed imminent. The critical need was for more aircraft – and for more young men trained to fly them. During this time there grew in Canada the idea of a organizing a select corps of teenage youths who would devote some of their spare time to preparing for the day when they would take their places as aircrew in the ranks of the RCAF.
In 1938 and 1939 there were already unofficial groups of “Air Cadets” in existence in places such as Vancouver, Montreal, Windsor, Penhold, and Winnipeg. Many of these units were army cadet corps affiliated with RCAF units, and adopting RCAF uniforms, customs and training. By late 1940, the success of these cadets units was clear and the idea of creating a national Air Cadet program began.
In 1940, the Minister of National Defence for Air, Charles G. Power, who was very much aware of the need for this type of Air Cadet training, called in a group of influential civilians and asked them to set up a country-wide voluntary organization to sponsor and develop this growing movement. The response was immediate, and a civilian organization was soon created to work on a partnership basis with the RCAF. As it later developed, this partnership was to be the main reason for the striking success of the Air Cadet Movement in Canada. On the 19th of November, 1940, an Order-in-Council was passed authorizing the organization of the Air Cadets
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