Salute to the Pathfinders
This day focused on the Pathfinder Squadrons and in particular the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Bazalgette Vicoria Cross flight.. Our Pathfinders Luncheon guests enjoyed speaker Reg Lane, a wartime c/o of 405 Squadron. Following the banquet and a concert featuring the King’s Own Calgary Regimental Band, all eyes turned skyward as three sky-divers jumped carrying the red, green, and yellow colours used by the Pathfinder Squadrons. Two additional jumpers followed, one carrying an RCAF flag. A painting depicting a raid led by the Canadian Pathfinder Squadron #405, on the railway yards at Montzen, Belgium was unveiled. Our special guest, Reg Lane DSO DFC & Bar, was the Master Bomber on this raid that was successful but at a heavy cost in Canadian aircraft and aircrew. Mr. Lane’s aircraft is one of those portrayed in the painting. An appropriate and thrilling conclusion to the day was a flypast of two Tutor jets, from CFB Moose Jaw, Sask., led by Nanton native Capt. Dan Robinson.
