Location Details

Canada has played an integral role in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) since the signing on 4 April 1949. Canada's commitment to have four fighter wings in Europe resulted in the creation of the 1 Canadian Air Division with its Headquarters in Metz, France and the following Wings located in France and Germany:
    1 (F) Wing at Marville, France;
    2 (F) Wing at Grostenquin, France;
    3 (F) Wing at Zweibrücken, Germany; and
    4 (F) Wing at Baden-Söllingen, Germany.

Logistical support for the Division was provided by 30 AMB in Langar, England.

Many Canadians who served at Marville and their families lived in Belgium. Belgium is within 20 kilometres of Marville. In Florenville, Kathleen Smith, the wife of a service member was buried in the municipal cemetery. Canada is negotiating at present with the Ville de Florenville to obtain a long lease on this grave, the present lease expiring in 2010. Maintenance of the grave marker took place in 2002. A prayer service was held in 2002.

The Ville de Florenville were pleased to have been home to many Canadians. They have erected a monument in the downtown area to remember the Canadians.

Background Information on these sites has been extracted from: the Pinetree Line Web Site; the 2 (F) Wing RCAF Grostenquin, France Information Booklet (1957); publication 4 CMBG Canada's NATO Brigade, 1983, Moritz Schauenburg Gmbh & Co. KG.