The WIFU and the IRFU suspended operations for the duration of World War II. With the WIFU operations suspended, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers created their own league in Winnipeg. The league consisted of the Bombers (civilian team), the RACF Flyers (service team) and the University of Manitoba Bisons (students). For the western playoffs, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers combined players from all three Winnipeg City League teams and formed the Winnipeg RCAF Bombers. In addition to forming a stronger team, the combined team format ensured that Winnipeg would have a team available for the Grey Cup if any or all of the service men got called into active military duty.