RCAF Station Souris


RCAF Station Souris was a Second World War British Commonwealth Air Training Plan station located near Souris, Manitoba, Canada. It was operated and administered by the Royal Canadian Air Force.

History

World War II

Souris hosted No. 17 Service Flying Training School. The school opened 8 March 1943 and closed 30 March 1945. Aircraft used included the Harvard and Anson. Emergency, or relief, landing fields were located at Hartney and Elgin.

Aerodrome information

In approximately 1942 the aerodrome was listed as RCAF Aerodrome - Souris, Manitoba at with a variation of 14 degrees east and elevation of. The aerodrome was listed as under construction and serviceable. Five runways were listed as follows:
Runway NameLengthWidthSurface
2/20Hard surfaced
2/20Hard surfaced
14/32Hard surfaced
14/32Hard surfaced
8/26Hard surfaced

A review of Google Maps on 10 June 2018 shows that only the inner 14/32 runway remains as hard surfaced. The outer 14/32 runway and the 2 former 2/20 runways have been reclaimed for agricultural use. A review of the Souris Glenwood Industrial Air Park page shows the former 8/26 runway is still maintained as turf.

Relief landing field – Hartney

The primary relief landing field for RCAF Station Souris was located approximately 19 miles south-west. The site was located approximately 1 miles south of the now unincorporated community of Hartney, Manitoba. The relief field was laid out in the standard triangular pattern. In approximately 1942 the aerodrome was listed as RCAF Aerodrome - Hartney, Manitoba at with a variation of 14 degrees east and elevation of. Three runways were listed as follows:
Runway NameLengthWidthSurface
2/20Hard
14/32Hard
8/26Hard

A review of Google Maps on 10 June 2018 shows a clear outline of the aerodrome at the posted coordinates.

Relief landing field – Elgin

The secondary relief landing field for RCAF Station Souris was located approximately 10 miles south. The site was located approximately 3 miles north of the unincorporated community of Elgin, Manitoba. The relief field was turf with a triangular runway layout. In approximately 1942 the aerodrome was listed as RCAF Aerodrome - Elgin, Manitoba at with a variation of 13.5 degrees east and elevation of. Three runways were listed as follows:
Runway NameLengthWidthSurface
2/20---'Turf
14/32---'Turf
8/26---'Turf

A review of Google Maps on 10 June 2018 shows no identifiable trace of the former aerodrome in the vicinity of the posted coordinates.

Present

The aerodrome is now the Souris Glenwood Industrial Air Park.