Educational Resources 
TEACHER'S GUIDE AND LESSONS

Introduction

  • The Yellow Wings to Victory documentary, half-hour version, is available for free on the film website located at www.yellowwingstovictory.ca 

  • This version is available for free Public Access, educational use, and for CAPA-ACCA Member Museums to duplicate on their websites and in their exhibits

  • The Yellow Wings to Victory documentary and educational resources will also be made available to classrooms across the country through McIntyre Media's educational streaming services, along with additional resources and lesson plans 

Education Lesson Plans

Grade level: Grades 10 to 12 

Lession Presequite: 
1) View the Documentary 
2) Teachers be prepaired to ask follow-up questions, present quizzes and lead discussions on the material presened

Subject Matter Focus:
Canadian History, World History, Second World War

Area of Focus:
Canada in 1939, leading up to the Second World War (prewar)

Topics: 

  • Canada during the 1930s and the state of the Dominion in 1939
  • The Commonwealth prepares for war in Europe 
  • The launch of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP)

Questions for Discussion:

  1. What challenges did Canada face as a Dominion in 1939? 
  2. How did these challenges influence Prime Minister Mackenzie King's position to propose, launch, and invest in the creation & operation of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan? 
  3. The BCATP was an immense program, an enormous undertaking for the Dominion of Canada at the time. How big was the Program?

Topic: 

  • The need for training of pilots and aircrew

Questions for Discussion:

  1. Why did Dominion Countries come together to train pilots and aircrew? 
  2. What were the training challenges facing the Air Forces that were unique compared to the training of recruits for the army and navy during WWII?
  3. Why was screening and testing made a priority at every stage?
  4. Describe the various stages of BCATP Training and the multiple crew skills and responsibilities.

Subject Matter Focus:
Campaigns involving Canadian's during WWII


Topic:

  • The Battle of the Atlantic

Discussion Points:

  1. Why was the Battle of the Atlantic one of the first significant challenges faced by the Allied Leadership? 
  2. How were the first graduates of the BCATP involved in protecting the convoys crossing the Atlantic?


Topic:

  • RAF Bomber Command

Discussion Points:

  1. Describe the crew required and the tasks to be performed to fly a large WWII bomber.
  2. What were the objectives of the Allied Bombing Campaign in Europe?


Topics: 

  • The creation of the RAF Second Tactical Air Force
  • D-Day and the Battle for Europe


Discussion Points:

  1. Describe the air campaign before the landing of the army that helped the success of the ground forces?
  2. What contributions did BCATP graduates in RCAF Fighter and Ground Support Squadrons make to the military campaign through Northwestern Europe?


Topic:

  • The Legacy of the BCATP

Discussion Points:

  1. How did the BCATP contribute to Allied Air Forces and the air battles during WWII? 
  2. Are there any BCATP facilities or airfields in your local community?
  3. Do any of the students have relatives who went through the BCATP and/or served in the Air Force, or who served or were involved in WWII? 
  4. Where was your family during the war years of 1939-1945? Were they affected by the war?
  5. Who were some of the men and women in the local community who were part of the BCATP and or served in the RCAF?
  6. Name the three closest active airports to former BCATP training Bases?

School and Student Activities and Exercises

  • Visit an Aviation Museum and exhibit with artifacts from the BCATP.  
  • View interviews with WWII Air Force veterans on CAPA-ACCA Museum websites.


Topic:

  • Remembering: Stories told by the Cenotaph

Research Exercises:

  1. Cenotaphs across Canada record our fallen Service Members. Please encourage students to visit a cenotaph or graveyard in their community and research the names and histories of local individuals who were lost during World War II. 
  2. Introduce research methods that students can use to visit Museum websites and lists to trace the story behind a fallen airman.


Topic:

  • Women's contribution during WWII 

In June 1941, the Canadian government formally decided to allow the enlistment of women in the armed forces and established the Canadian Women's Army Corps (CWAC). As the war continued and men were sent overseas, there was a pressing demand to fill administrative and non-combat roles within the military. Canadian women were called on to fill the gap. In the BCATP, women filled not only more traditional clerical and cooking duties; they also acquired specialty skills by enrolling in Technical Trade Training Schools. Women were primarily enrolled in the four main rapidly growing trades: aero-engine mechanic, air frame mechanic, sheet metal worker, and fabric worker (at the beginning of the war, many aircraft had canvas-covered wings that needed assembly and, due to the Canadian weather, frequent maintenance).  The RCAF knew it had the makings of an excellent force of skilled workers to ensure the smooth operation of the BCATP. The services provided by the Women's Division remain among the most significant contributions to aircrew training. In addition to the uniformed positions, many women were employed on a basis.  By the end of World War II, 17,000 women served in the RCAF and many more were hired as civilians on Bases across the country.

Reading assignment:

  1. Review the RCAF website 
  2. How many women are currently members of the RCAF? 
  3. Who is the current Commander of the RCAF?  
  4. Where did Lieutenant-General Jamie Speiser-Blanchet, CMM, CD, earn her wings, and what were some of her accomplishments before being appointed? 

Education Address for Additional Resources

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