Zimmer, Ignatius John

8 BGS (8 Bomb and Gunnery School)

The Bombing and Gunnery School (B&GS) offered instruction in the techniques of bomb aiming and aerial machine gunnery to Air Observers, Bomb Aimers, and Wireless Air Gunners. These schools required large areas to accommodate their bombing and gunnery ranges, and were often located near water. The Avro Anson, Fairey Battle, Bristol Bolingbroke, and Westland Lysander were the standard aircraft used at B&GS schools.

Established in 1940 at the present site of Lethbridge Airport CYQL.

More information on the RCAF Station at Lethbridge AB can be found at

RCAF.Info - RCAF Station Lethbridge

Bomber Command Museum Of Canada

Vintage Wings - Ghosts Of Alberta

Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum - 8 BGS

Project 44 BCATP

Project 44 BCATP

YouTube - Valour Canada Aerodrome of Democracy

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Flying Fortress 9205

Flying Fortress Mk. III 9205

EX USAAF B-17E-BO, serial number 41-9142. Ordered on Purchase Order CA 000115. Also reported as Mk. IIA, both designations probably unofficial. Quote from RCAF receiving report: "very dilapidated, all the parts being badly worn". Used by No. 168 Heavy Transport Squadron, Rockcliffe, for mail flights to Europe. Extensive damage 23 January 1944, in mid air collision with Wellington (probably JA268), between Prestwick and Gibraltar, losing 2 engines. Damage to nose, wings, and tail. Mail jettisoned, returned to the UK, crew received four AFCs and one Air Medal. Nose replaced with fabric fairing, later fitted with flip down metal nose cone. To Gibraltar, via Azores, June 1944. Gear up landing on 19 November 1944 at Rockcliffe. Category C damage at the Azores, 6 April 1945. Carried A/C Plant from Rockcliffe to Sea Island in October 1945. Carried penicillin to Warsaw, leaving Ottawa on 16 November 1945. Flew Vancouver to Rockcliffe non-stop in 7 hours, 26 minutes on 16 January 1946. Transferred to No. 9 (T) Group in April 1946, used briefly for search and rescue by No. 412 (T) Squadron. On standby for Exercise Musk Ox in April and May 1946, while with this unit. Flew to the UK in May 1946, delivering experienced 168 Squadron crews to brief returning Dakota crews on flying the North Atlantic. Sold, to Argentine civil register as LC-RTP, used to carry beef. Reported scrapped in 1964.

1943-12-15 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1944-January-22 Accident: 168 Transport Squadron Loc: Port Reath Names: Demarco | Dickson | Hillcoat | Lebrish | Rosenbaum
1944-May-01 Accident: 168 Squadron Loc: Rock Stn Names: Lloyd | Mcfee | Whitehead
1944-November-19 Accident: 168 HT Squadron Loc: Rockliffe Names: Appleton | Downer | Mackenzie | Ready | Turner
1946-12-27 Struck off Strength Struck off, later sold 2019-08-20