The Americans are coming!

Who knew that years ago, the popular fresh water beach of Wasaga was home to an important chapter in Canadian history.
During the War of 1812, travel on the Great Lakes was the key to supply. The Nottawasaga River was used to travel from Georgian Bay and Lake Simcoe, which then connected to Lake Ontario.
The British had a supply ship, the Nancy, which the Americans believed was on its way back from Fort Michilimackinac. In fact, the Nancy was in the River, and her commander, Lieutenant Woseley, tried to hide her from the US troops. When the US landed on the beach they discovered its mast in the trees. Woseley only had 22 seamen, 23 indians and 9 Voyageurs against a force of over 500 US soldiers and three ships, the Niagara, Tigress and Scorpion.
They battled on the beach, with the British/Canadians falling back and destroying the ship to prevent its capture.
Woseley's men escaped and travelled to Michilimackinac, and eventually turned the tables on the US. Two of the US ships were left to defend the area, Worsley and 92 men in four rowboats captured the Tigress in De Tour Passage, and on the following day, the Scorpion was lured into position and also captured.
In honour of these battles, War of 1812 re-enactors create battles representing the various military operations in the area, in an event called Wasaga Under Siege. This year, the tall ship St Lawrence II will play the part of one of the US ships.



The battle activities were centred on Nancy Island, which was created by the sunken hulk of the Nancy. In the encampment, a musket and canon demonstration was held.




then everyone headed to Beach One for the US attack.









After the battle the sun set in a glourious display of colour!

Greatest Show On Turf

For the third time, I ventured to the Geneseo Air Show, held at the 1941 Historical Aircraft Group. Every year they hold an airshow, featuring World War Two aircraft, with a few other aircarft such as the F-16 Viper jet.
This year, the theme was Tuskegee Airmen, famous for the Red Tail Mustangs used to escort US bombers during the war.











Another great plane to see, one of the only left flying, was the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver, from the West Texas wing of the Commemorative Airforce











A few acrobatic teams were on hand, including Rob Holland,





The Canadian Harvards,





and a Pitts Special



Also on hand were the Westland Lysander III of the Canadian Warplane Heritage,





A C130 from the 109th AW Scotia NY



a C-47A Dakota from 1941HAG



and a Fairey Firefly Mk.6, also from CWH





Some B-25







And considering WW2 is famous for having nose art, a couple of Dolls were around as well!!







And there was one fast mover, the F-16 of Viper West








And Geneseo is also the home to the movie version of the Memphis Belle, a B-17.











and of course, the P-51 Mustang was also well represented, with 4 aircraft.













And perhaps my favourite World War 2 Fighter Plan, the Chance Vought F4U Corsair.