Description

This new book is the biography of Lt. General Reg Lane, DSO, DFC, CMM, CD who was one of Canada’s and Bomber Command’s leading Pathfinder Aces. Completing two tours with No. 35 Squadron, all on the early Halifax Mk. II bombers. In the summer of 1943, he was commissioned to fly to Canada, and bring back across the Atlantic the first Canadian built Lancaster, KB700 “Ruhr Express”, a special adventure. He eventually took command of No. 405 “Vancouver” Squadron, from Johnny Fauquier.

After the War, Reg stayed in the RCAF, commanding RAF Odiham and the No. 120 Transport Wing before returning to Canada with his English wife. Reg went on to command the 4th Fighter Wing for NATO in Germany, and several, command postings in Canada, including staff postings in Ottawa during the Avro Arrow debacle. Eventually he took over as Deputy Commander of NORAD, one of the most senior appointments in Western Defence, before retirement in October 1974.

He remained active in retirement giving lectures and regularly visiting the UK, being patron of the 6 (RCAF) Group Bomber Command Association, and Yorkshire Air Museum’s Canada Branch. He was inducted into the Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame in 2000.