Canadian airmen interned in US - March 1940?

[Leendert]

I happened to read in a Dutch newspaper of 11 March 1940 that two military Canadian airmen were interned in the US (New York State) after their airplane had made a crash landing and got heavily damaged. Authorities in Washington, DC "would investigate the matter."

Who can shed some light on this little history? Thanks.

Regards,
Leendert

[RSwank]

This appears to be the incident. I will see what else I can find:

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6855...falls-tribune/


I think this article gives more of the sense of the incident. Interned is in quotes and the mention of a "short period of time" for internment. They were held by US customs agents. Also the use of the phrase "technically the flyers are liable for internment for the duration". I suspect they were checked out in a local hospital and then taken to the border in a day or so.

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6855...sa-republican/


Here is the rest of the story. They were put up in a local home and then released.

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6855...ttawa-journal/


The pilot:

A.E.L. CANNON (C1077), Albert Edward Lucien Cannon

He was later killed in Saigon in 1957 while serving on the international truce supervisory commission.

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1931...e-evening-sun/

https://www.newspapers.com/image/501532331/



The other man, possibly?? Flight Sgt J. Duguid Can/4217A , RCAF
as seen on this page: https://www.fbcoverup.com/docs/libra...an-01-1945.pdf

[Leendert]

Thanks for the quick reply. With the provided info I found it must haven been Lysander with RCAF serial 419 (http://www.rwrwalker.ca/RCAF_401_450_detailed.htm).

Although unrelated here, I remember having read somewhere that the Canadian training airfields were not to be built close to the American border lest unexperienced student pilots would make incursions. Of course this all changed when the USA entered the war.

Regards,
Leendert