RCAF Station Jarvis Belgian trainee graduated. Women were admitted to the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1941 as members of the Women's Division - the "WDs". The first WDs, 70 in number, arrived at Jarvis on 27 April 1942, and within six months airwomen were serving in many areas of the station including the control tower, the bomb plotting office, the kitchens, and the stores. Airwomen were not permitted to serve as aircrew. A key member of the famous "Dambusters" (No. 617 Squadron RAF) trained at Jarvis: RCAF navigator, Harlo “Terry” Taerum. In May 1943, in Operation Chastise, commonly known as the "Dambusters
No. 56 Squadron RAF No. 56 Squadron RAF Number 56 Squadron, nicknamed 'the Firebirds' for their ability to always reappear intact regardless of the odds, is one of the oldest and most successful squadrons of the Royal Air Force, with battle honours from many of the significant air campaigns of both World War I and World War II. During the First World War, the Squadron had many aces amongst its ranks such as James McCudden, Albert Ball, Reginald Hoidge and Arthur Rhys-Davids, developing a fierce reputation for the unit. In the Second World War, they fought in the Battle of Britain, and operated as