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• 1 2024-03-15T22:01:52+00:00 Camp Little Norway 2 visual_path 216 2024-08-19T20:28:40+00:00 In 1939, Bernt Balchen came to the United States on a crucial mission to negotiate purchasing aircraft and ammunition for the Norwegian Government. Balchen -- a dual citizen -- had extensive contacts in the aviation industry. Then in 1940 with the Norwegian Government-in-exile in London, his new goal was to set up a training camp and school for expatriate Norwegian airmen and soldiers in Canada. Balchen negotiated directly with Canadian government officials to obtain use of airport facilities at the Toronto Island airport on Lake Ontario known as "Little Norway." The camp officially opened in November 1940. The first commander was Hjalmar Riiser-Larsen, and then Major Ole Reistad took over early 1941. In May 1942, the training camp moved to Muskoka Airport north of Toronto.
  
  The Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNAF) training center had two centers: Muskoka Airport for flying training, and Vasle Skaugum for a recruiting and recreation center. Funding for this was done completely by the Norwegian government-in-exile in London through the Norwegian Merchant Marine. According to the British in the book Camp Little Norway in Pictures, "This merchant Marine has supplied Great Britain with fifty percent of her oil and one-third of her foodstuffs during the war. The Norwegian government also is paying for all Norwegian military activities overseas, including the Norwegian Army and Navy in action, amounting altogether to the sum of about $1,000,000 in American Money -- a year." In total during the war, over 2,500 Norwegian airmen were trained at Camp Little Norway.
  

  Wings for Norway

  The Norwegian Air Force Training Center in Canada received $400,000 in gifts for planes and military equipment and other activities. A large part of this was thanks to the Camp Little Norway Association. To show their appreciation, the Air Force asked the Royal family including Crown Prince Olav, Crown Princess Märtha and the Royal Children to christen the gift planes from the donors. View videos of the christening of the planes here. The planes carried various names, including El Gaucho III, Minnesota, and the Spirit of Little Norway. To explore more images and videos from Camp Little Norway and the endeavors of the RNAF, explore the digital collection of Campbell Norsgaard. 
  
  Learn more about the life of the soldiers, the Royal Family at Camp Little Norway, and the Camp Little Norway Association below!