Americans in the RAF in 1940

[Bill Walker]

Hi Alex;

The Clayton Knight Committee used a number of ways to get around the American neutrality laws, including faking citizenship and travel papers. That is part of the reason a lot of the Americans in the RAF and RCAF show up as Canadians in the records. They had the backing of some senior elements within the US government, and managed to stay one small step ahead of the rest of the US government, most of the time. Think Iran-Contra, 1930s style. It was a little cloak-and-dagger at times.

Even the Clayton Knight rejects were told how to enter Canada as a tourist, and what to say when they signed up (wink wink, nudge nudge).

You are probably right, a lot could have still been in Canada by 1940. The original post just said "On another forum, an American has asserted that there were 10,000 Americans in the RAF in 1940." There were several RAF Schools and Manning Depots in Canada by then. Remember, Clayton Knight hand picked experienced people, and almost all went straight to being staff pilots, instructors,administrators or ground crew at units in Canada and the UK, not as students. Some later volunteered for active duty, and would have then undergone further training. Also, RAF records of the time didn't always distinguish between RAF and RCAF units. This was just fine with the Canadians at the time, by the way. To put in it perspective, remember that Canadian citizens (real or otherwise) traveled with UK passports until after the War.

We also need to remember that by 1940 the RAF was a big organization, and 10,000 or so people spread across it wouldn't have really stood out at the time. Another historical tidbit to put that in perspective: in September 1939 there were more Canadians with RAF commissions on active flying service in the RAF then there were officers in the entire RCAF, including the Auxiliary Squadrons.