The life of an RCAF fighter pilot was that of a waiting game; never knowing when the enemy would attack, never knowing where. The orders to intercept bombers were often followed by sheer chaos as pilots raced to their fighters, scrambling into the air to meet an overwhelming enemy threat.
As a fighter pilot raced up in his aircraft to meet the enemy there was an air of tension and nervousness as there was a fairly high risk that he may not live beyond that flight. The pilot
had to have sharp wits about him and be alert at all times in order to
evade and destroy the enemy bomber and fighter escort aircraft. They
also carried out a ground attack role in which they would fly low and
attack enemy troops, tanks, trains, etc. They also provided armed escort for the bombers attacking the enemy. The machine guns and small
caliber cannons were usually installed in the wings and were fired from the cockpit.
One of the leading fighter aces of the Second World War was Calgary's
own Flying Officer W.L. "Willy" McKnight. Before being lost in action
on January 12, 1941, he destroyed 16 1/2 enemy aircraft and damaged one
other to become Canada's fourth leading ace. He flew during the Battle
of Britain and was awarded the DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross). One
day in May 1940, he destroyed an Me. 109 and on the following day, while on patrol with his squadron, he shot down three more enemy aircraft.
On his return flight he used his remaining ammunition and caused many
casualties in a low-flying attack on a railroad line along which the
enemy was bringing up heavy guns. It is for these reasons that one of
Calgary's main roadways, McKnight Blvd is named after this famous
pilot.
