Canadian Military Oral Histories
User Collection Public
The Canadian Military Oral History Collection is composed of interviews of veterans of WWI, WWII, the Korean War and the War in Afghanistan. Over 370 recordings done by Dr. Reginald H. Roy and his students are the largest holding in this category. Historian Hal Lawrence also donated over 180 recordings that he collected of Canadian Naval personnel.
Collection descriptions
The following are descriptions of the major collections of interviews that make up the collection:
Reg Roy collection
Dr. Reginald H. Roy was the Chair of Military History (1968-1988) and the Social Sciences Research Centre (1970-75) at the University of Victoria. The Reg Roy fonds contains over 370 sound recordings of oral histories conducted over his career and was recognized by Lieutenant-Governor Iona Campagnolo in 2005.
Social Sciences Research Centre collection
This is an important subset of the Reg Roy collection of military oral histories and consists of extensive interviews with Major-General George R. Pearkes and other interviews with his family and a number of personal and professional associates for his biography entitled For Most Conspicuous Bravery: A Biography of Major-General George R. Pearkes, V.C., Through Two World Wars (1977).
Hal Lawrence collection
This collection includes approximately 120 interviews conducted by Commander Hal Lawrence in collaboration with National Defence/Défense nationale on the Canadian Navy (1940-1995). Some of these interviews have been transcribed and some are only available as transcripts.
Shawn Cafferky collection
This collection of 14 interviews by military historian Dr. Shawn Cafferky of the University of Victoria's Department of History were conducted in 1997 and refer to the experimental Squadron VX-10, and the testing and use of the Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King helicopter.
Military oral history class interviews
Since 2005, the History Department has offered a Military Oral History seminar course as a component of the Canadian Veterans Oral History Project, a joint project of the Royal United Services Institute of Vancouver Island (RUSI VI) and University of Victoria. The seminar course offers students the opportunity to interview veterans for course credit and the resulting interviews are deposited with University of Victoria Special Collections.
Elizabeth Hazlitte collection
This collection is comprised of six interviews with veterans of WWI conducted from 1983-84 by Elizabeth Hazlitte, a nurse at Victoria's Veteran's Hospital at the Memorial Pavilion.
David Stafford collection
This collection is comprised of nine interviews conducted by Dr. David Stafford, retired history professor at the University of Victoria, for his monograph on clandestine operations in WWII.
Copyright policy
The material is to be used solely for the purpose of research or private study. Any use of the copy for a purpose other than research of private study may require the authorization of the copyright owner of the work in question. The user must assume full responsibility for obtaining copyright permission to publish items in whole or in part.
Although the University of Victoria has permission to make the oral histories available to researchers, the copyright belongs to the interviewees. If extensive passages are used for publication, exhibition or presentation permission from the copyright holder is necessary.
Publication credit
The University of Victoria Special Collections will be given a copy of the book, article, exhibition catalogue, or supporting publication in all cases of publication, exhibition, or presentation of the oral history reproductions. In such cases a credit line citation should read as follows:
University of Victoria, Special Collections, Military Oral History Collection,
[Name of Interviewee], [Record ID Number]
Image: Elizabeth Hazlitte interviewing World War One veteran Egbert Browning in 1983
Permalink: http://vault.library.uvic.ca/collections/4a7eade6-d0b7-4807-8cd2-6eb9c5a66937
Collection Details
- Items 789
- Last Updated 2025-04-01
Parent Collections (1)
Works (789)
311. Ross, D.: my naval experiences (May 12, 1997)
- Title:
- Ross, D.: my naval experiences (May 12, 1997)
- Description:
- Interviewee: Ross, D., An interview/narrative of Commander D. Ross's naval experiences. Interview took place on May 12, 1997., Interviewer: Cafferky, Shawn, Rank: Commander. , and ABSTRACT: No summary available.
- Subject:
- Military history, Naval history, and Personal narratives--Canadian
- Contributor:
- Ross, D. and Cafferky, Shawn
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1997-05-12
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Sound
- Extent:
- 2 sound recordings (MP3)
- Geographic Coverage:
- Canada
- Coordinates:
- 60.10867, -113.64258
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- One original audio cassette in Special Collections.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- reminiscences, oral histories (literary genre), sound recordings, and interviews
- Archival Item Identifier:
- RD_467
- Fonds Title:
- Shawn Cafferky collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC353
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/shawn-cafferky-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2013-01-10
- Technical Note:
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 44 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Digitized by JF, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview migrated to digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2013. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
312. Rogers, Robert Gordon: my armed forces experiences (February 25, 2004)
- Title:
- Rogers, Robert Gordon: my armed forces experiences (February 25, 2004)
- Description:
- An interview/narrative of Major Robert Gordon Rogers's experiences during World War II. Interview took place on February 25, 2004., ABSTRACT: Major Robert Gordon Rogers Rogers speaks of training in England, daily life in England and fighting in France. He focuses a great deal on the Duplex Drive (DD) tank which was used in the landing. Also speaks somewhat on the current state of the world and Canada’s Military., Rank: Major. , Interviewer: Graham-Knight, John Brandon, and Interviewee: Rogers, Robert Gordon
- Subject:
- World War (1939-1945), Personal narratives--Canadian, Military history, and World War (1914-1918)
- Contributor:
- Graham-Knight, John Brandon and Rogers, Robert Gordon
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2004-02-25
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Sound
- Extent:
- 2 sound recordings (MP3)
- Geographic Coverage:
- England and France
- Coordinates:
- 52.16045, -0.70312 and 46, 2
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- One original audio cassette in Special Collections.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- sound recordings, oral histories (literary genre), reminiscences, and interviews
- Archival Item Identifier:
- RRG_449
- Fonds Title:
- Military oral history collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC141
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2012-12-04
- Technical Note:
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 44 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Digitized by JF, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview migrated to digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2012. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
313. Planes, Frank: my Army recollections (2005)
- Title:
- Planes, Frank: my Army recollections (2005)
- Description:
- Rank: Private. , ABSTRACT: Private Frank Planes How got involved in "Gumboot Navy." Enlisted at Little Mountain Barracks. Gets on boat with Regimental Sergeant Major Harry Kemp who enlisted him. Was assigned as Quarter Master and Machine Gunner with Lewis machine Gun. Becomes snipper. Becomes part of anti-submarine campaign. Wally Layton from Metlakatla become skipper. Might have witnessed Air contingency that bombed Dutch Harbour. Ucluelet Harbour Plane Crash of Bomber. Was picked to patrol water between Victoria and Ahousaht. Leonard Nelson coverd water from Ahousaht to Cape Scott. From Cape Scott to Metlatakla was patrolled by Wally Layton. Discusses air support. Discusses wedding. Discusses time at see 1090 days, and machine gun and pension. Talks about when enlisted and how he they changed his race from Aboriginal to French. Would not recognize him as hereditary chief. Discusses life after Army, and trying to get back into fishing business. Fishing on boats out of Victoria, Prince Rupert. Pacific Bell was first boat. Started Pacific Bell Fishing company. Fished Halibut. Got caught in 3 hurricanes. Tape 1, Side 1 001 - How was recruited to Gumboot Navy 1943 080 - starts on Journey to Little Mountain Barracks 160 - Is made aware that will be serving on a ship 290 - takes officers on yacht to York Island close to Seymour Narrows 350 - Join Harry Kemp on boat Tape 1, Side 2 001 - learning how to dismantle machine gun 019 - finds out will be submarine hunter 033 - talk of training on water as child 059 - takes engineers into pipeline site 100 - wife follows him around island 106 - discusses air support and campaign (possibly air rade on Dutch Harbour) 245 - training of loggers as guerilla fighters 350 - Ucluelet harbour plane crash 370 - sets Alberni Inlet on fire. Tape 2, Side 1 001 - Resumes Alberni Inlet fire story 020 - Picked to cover water from Victoria to Ahousaht 055 - discusses air support 065 - looks at pictures 080 - wedding talk 120 - discusses pension 145 - thew out uniform 160 - internal name of gumboot navy 180 - Discusses Dutch Harbour bombing 193 - Practiced machine gunning with sea lions? 200 - enlistment story about race, enlisted him as frenchman instead of indian 255 - Talks about his hereditary chiefs name 300 - Travelling as youth with older ladies from village food gathering 330 - After get out of army, lifestyle Tape 2, Side 2 001 - Buys first boat 040 - Starts Pacific Bell Fishing Company 070 - Fishes almost 1 million lbs of Halibut 082 - Got caught in 3 hurricanes 142 - Sell big fishing boat 160 - Buys small boat 200 - small boat featured in thriller film called "lighthouse" 250 - look at pacific trap shooting association trophies 380 - thoughts on war Tape 3, Side 1 001 - Aboriginal strategies on avoiding war 030 - Family history 045 - end tape, Interviewee: Planes, Frank, Interviewer: Wood, Jessica, and An interview/narrative of Private Frank Planes's experiences whilst serving in the Fishermen's Reserve. Interview took place in 2005.
- Subject:
- Canada. RCAF Station (Ucluelet, B.C.), Military history, Fishers, and Fishing
- Contributor:
- Wood, Jessica and Planes, Frank
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2005
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Sound
- Extent:
- 5 sound recordings (MP3)
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia--Prince Rupert, British Columbia--Victoria, Ahousaht (First Nation), British Columbia--Ucluelet, and Alaska--Dutch Harbor
- Coordinates:
- 48.94153, -125.54635, 53.8898, -166.5422, 48.4359, -123.35155, 49.2833, -126.0667, and 54.31507, -130.32098
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Original sound recording on audio cassette also available.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- oral histories (literary genre), reminiscences, sound recordings, and interviews
- Archival Item Identifier:
- PF_542
- Fonds Title:
- Military oral history collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC141
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2012-08-21
- Technical Note:
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 44 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2012. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
314. Rogers, Robert G.: my Army recollections (2005)
- Title:
- Rogers, Robert G.: my Army recollections (2005)
- Description:
- ABSTRACT: Robert Rogers Side 1 Robert Rogers enlisted at 20 in 1939, joined the First Canadian Hussars, trained at Borden. In England with little equipment his unit moved around to fool Germans, unprepared, ill-equipped; trained on Rams in England, very poor tanks, trained on infantry cooperation, then switched to Sherman tanks Training for D-Day landing in DD tanks. D-Day landing described. Rogers returns to Canada to prepare for Japanese task force. First Hussars black day June 11. German tank superiority assessed. How armoured regiments operated with infantry. How Typhoons were called down on tank targets. Living conditions in Normandy. Quality of training. Anecdote about an untrained replacement. Manpower shortage deplored. Zombies. Tactics against German tanks-tracers and Typhoons used. Infantry cooperation described. Reinforcement officers untrained in tanks. Resentment at politicians over manpower shortage. Side 2 Life before D-Day with wife. D-Day landing discussed, attack on beach defences. The black day June 11 described. Rogers returns to Canada, to RMC to prepare for invasion of Japan. Discusses quality of some COs, issues with alcohol. How RMC grads outshone others. How drunken officers got sacked. Brigadier sacked. Prewar training dismissed. Uselessness of tanks in 21st century. Wife's adventures with Red Cross in Europe. Side 1 000-enlists, trains fifth armoured div. 032-5th Div. broken up 100-officer training, arm'd training 160-In England, no gear, no tanks 200-get Ram tanks 222-get Shermans, train 280-train for D-Day landing, DD tanks 300-D-Day landing by 1st Hussars 360-Returns to Canada for Japan invasion 385-Regiment's black day, June 11, Le Mesnil-Patry 423-Pride in Sherman tanks, German tanks better 443-Lack of tank versus tank training 450-Tanks in infantry support 463-Using Typhoons against German tanks 500-Living conditions, eating 509-Replacement problem, anecdote 544-Rogers complains, nearly sacked, Zombies at Borden 565-Working with Typhoons 572-Infantry support role 600-German tank advantages 605-Spare treads on tank body 635-Manpower, new officers untrained Side 2 000-Tanks uselessness at night. 070-With wife before D-Day 093-Preparation for D-Day, maps of targets 101-D-Day landing 145-Dick Powell knocks out pill box. 160-Battle -never saw Germans, except prisoners 175-Black day, June 11, Le Mesnil Patry 222-Rogers back in Canada, RMC, preparing Sixth Division for Japan. 256-Leadership, some inadequate colonels, some drunken ones. A drunken brigadier 302-Frank White takes over: night and day 310-Pre-war Training in COTC: a joke 326-Lack of preparation repeated today 335-Officers improved in NW Europe 367-Rogers to RMC 380-Wife's adventures with Red Cross 400-Rogers in Ottawa, 44-45, Interviewee: Rogers, Robert G., Interviewer: Weatherbe, Steve, and An interview/narrative of Robert Rogers's experiences during World War II. Rogers served with the 1st Hussars of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps. Interview took place in 2005.
- Subject:
- Tanks (Military science), Operation Overlord, World War (1914-1918), World War (1939-1945), and Military history
- Contributor:
- Rogers, Robert G. and Weatherbe, Steve
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2005
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Sound
- Extent:
- 2 sound recordings (MP3)
- Geographic Coverage:
- England and Japan
- Coordinates:
- 52.16045, -0.70312 and 35.68536, 139.75309
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Original sound recording on audio cassette also available.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- reminiscences, interviews, sound recordings, and oral histories (literary genre)
- Archival Item Identifier:
- RRG_537
- Fonds Title:
- Military oral history collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC141
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2012-08-14
- Technical Note:
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 44 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2012. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
315. Reeves, Ken: my armed forces experiences (February 3, 2005)
- Title:
- Reeves, Ken: my armed forces experiences (February 3, 2005)
- Description:
- Rank: Lieutenant-Colonel. , Interviewer: Miller, Bryce, ABSTRACT: Lieutenant Colonel Ken Reeves (Cassette 1) Born in England 1929 into a military family. Moved to Canada in 1943 at the age of 14. Became a member of the militia and then joined the Royal Canadian Regiment in 1946 at the age of 17. Discusses reasons for joining the army. Describes time served with SAS. Commissioned as a second Lieutenant in 1951. Discusses details of training in Wainwright Alberta. Describes transportation to Korea. Arrived in Korea in March 1953. Assigned to B Company in the first Royal Canadian Regiment. Describes daily life as a soldier in Korea, detailing Patrols and other duties. Discusses the implications of fighting a "static war." Explains effects of Static War on moral of troops. Describes war as "Platoon Commander's War" Goes into detail describing events which occurred during the battle for Hill 187, which he was wounded. Explains role of Koreans attached to Commonwealth divisions or, "KATCOMS." Describes roll as Secretary of Officers Mess. Discusses confidence in senior officers as well as other soldiers. Gives reaction to signing of the cease fire. Describes conditions on troop ship during trip home. Criticizes quality of Canadian equipment. (Cassette 2) Finishes discussion on Canadian equipment. Talks about interaction between Canadian soldiers and British and American soldiers. Discusses ideology of the war. Describes impact of the "Forgotten War" stigma and lack of recognition by Canadians of the Korean war., Interviewee: Reeves, Ken, and An interview/narrative of Ken Reeves's experiences during the Korean War. Lieutenant Colonel Reeves served with the Royal Canadian Regiment. Interview took place on February 3, 2005.
- Subject:
- Canada. Canadian Army. Royal Canadian Regiment, Military history, and Korean War (1950-1953)
- Contributor:
- Miller, Bryce and Reeves, Ken
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2005-02-03
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Sound
- Extent:
- 3 sound recordings (MP3)
- Geographic Coverage:
- Korea (North) and Korea (South)
- Coordinates:
- 36.5, 127.75 and 40, 127
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Two original audio cassettes in Special Collections.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- reminiscences, oral histories (literary genre), sound recordings, and interviews
- Archival Item Identifier:
- RK_444
- Fonds Title:
- Military oral history collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC141
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2012-11-23
- Technical Note:
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 44 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Digitized by JF, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview migrated to digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2012. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
316. Foot, George: my Air Force recollections (February 11, and 17, 2005)
- Title:
- Foot, George: my Air Force recollections (February 11, and 17, 2005)
- Description:
- An interview/narrative of George F. Foot's experiences during World War II. Group Captain Foot served with the Royal Air Force. Interview took place on February 11 and 17, 2005., Interviewee: Foot, George, Rank: Group Captain. , Interviewer: Scales, Peter, and ABSTRACT: Group Captain George F. Foot Royal Air Force (Cassette 1, Side 1) Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He sailed to England in 1937 to join the RAF. On April 4, 1938 Foot started Elementary Flying Training School at Sywell, in Shropshire, England. When war was declared on September 3, 1939, Foot was in training at RAF Station Calshot, on Southampton Water, flying Stranraer flying boat. In July 1941 Foot flew a secret mission to Archangel, Soviet Union. Crew of 5. No armament. Went to Invergordon, Scotland, with his Catalina flying boat [similar to US Navy's Consolidated PBY5]. Took five British diplomats, who would set-up the Lend-Lease Agreement. When they landed a Soviet soldier would not let Foot and his crew go ashore. German surrender: on May 9, 1945, Foot was the operations officer at 202 Flying Boat squadron in Northern Ireland, doing anti-submarine work with Coastal Command, that day all 16 of 202 Squadron's Catalinas were airborne, looking for U-boats that had been ordered to surface and to be escorted to Allied forces. Discussion of escort convoys, navigation and radar, Catalinas and Sunderlands. By 1943 the Coastal Command aircraft started to get control of the sea. Same activity was going on in the Far East and in the South Atlantic. There were RAF Catalinas at Bathurst, Africa, at Madras, and at Gibraltar. (Cassette 1, Side 1 half-way) The Saro London flying boat could not land in bad sea conditions, but Catalina could make dramatic landings in rough sea. The Londons had to be landed in Gibraltar harbour if the weather was bad. Discussion of his time in Sri Lanka, India and Singapore during the war. In London after the war, Foot worked in Air Ministry, at Bush House. Foot was 36 and a squadron leader, Personnel invited Foot to interview for an attaché job. The interview of Foot found him suitable for diplomatic work. He studied Russian in London and later in Paris; he received his 21st class Interpreter certification. (Cassette 1, Side 2) Description of the Battle of the Atlantic. Further discussion of Russian language training. In May 1952 Foot and family moved to British Legation, Budapest, Hungary, which was under Soviet hegemony. [Hungarian Revolt was in Oct-Nov 1956, a few months after Foot left Budapest.] Describes his time in Hungary. Foot's job was the photography of aircraft and airfields. French ambassador wanted to speak to president of Hungary, and Foot translated for him. The Soviet ambassador was Yuri Andropov, who later became General-Secretary of the Soviet Union. [Andropov was in Hungary from 1953, including as Soviet ambassador 1954-March 1957.] Foot participated in only one covert mission in Hungary. Foot drove an MI-6 "cultural attaché" to a secret drop, to give a radio to her main source, codename "Charles". Christmas 1954: Foot was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his successful attaché work. (Investiture was at Buckingham Palace on February 22, 1955). Foot developed principles for effective intelligence collection. In 1985 at a reunion in Berlin, Foot learned that the current RAF deputy chiefs were still following his principles. (Cassette 1, Side 2, halfway) Foot was appointed the first RAF Deputy Chief of the British Commanders'-in-Chiefs Mission to the Soviet Forces in Germany, a mission known as BRIXMIS. In 1956 Foot and his family moved to Berlin. His mission was to gain intelligence on the Soviet 24th Air Army and the East German Air Force. When he first got the appointment he didn't know what the mission was, only that he would be promoted to group captain (G/C). Foot was sent to improve the quality of technical intelligence of Soviet aircraft and equipment, coming from Berlin. Discussion of his time with BRIXMIS and the difference between Soviet-Communist character and Russian character. (Cassette 2, Side 1) Description of his time at RAF Station Ternhill, in Shropshire and of flying Flying Boats until 1941. Further discussion of his assignment to the Far East in 1945. (Cassette 2, Side 1, half-way) August 15, 1945: Foot was in Ratmalana when the Japanese surrendered. Foot was serving at the RAF base at Miho; on Honshu in Japan when in August 1947 the British (through Lord Mountbatten) granted independence to India, and Pakistan split from India. Further description of BRIXMIS and the Cold War. BRIXMIS had nine Army, three RAF, one RN, and one JIB personnel. BRIXMIS served in East Germany from 1946 to 1990. The whole outfit, on the British side, was run initially by the Foreign Office. (Cassette 2, Side 2) BRIXMIS and SOXMIS formed that the same time. "SOXMIS" was the British name for the Soviet side. The Soviets kept allowing access to the their side because they were running agents and moles in the British zone. The Soviet mission was headquartered in Bunde, near the HQ of the BAOR; the British mission was supposed to operate from Potsdam. Under the Robertson-Malinin Agreement, British personnel could travel legitimately behind the Iron Curtain. The RAF had two cars with Soviet plates. Brits traveled in uniform. Had 31 passes. BRIXMIS did not run agents. BRIXMIS collected technical intelligence. Foot describes early Cold War developments. BRIXMIS' findings debunked Soviet misinformation. Discussion of photo missions. (Cassette 2, Side 2, halfway) Further discussion of BRIXMIS. In 1957, at age 44, Foot left the RAF to accept a civilian position in Ottawa, at the Intelligence Directorate of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). At DAI, did liaison with the Americans, and then helped the Canadian air attaché program. USAF attachés adopted Foot's photographic techniques. (Cassette 3, Side 1) Soviet airline flights to Canada had Canadian pilots on board. Foot briefed these pilots and gave them cameras. 408 Squadron, at Rockliffe (Ottawa), did flights in Canada's North. Foot briefed them. Foot became Head of Attaché Services, training air, army and navy attachés who were bound for the Iron Curtain. Foot trained them in how to get intelligence. In 1968 he joined Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (DIAND), to help with reorganization; he worked there for 5 years. Foot retired in April 1973. (Cassette 3, Side 1, half-way) Foot made his second trip to Moscow, August 1941, for Lend-Lease. Took four British diplomats and Colonel-General Golikov from Invergordon, Scotland, to Archangel, USSR. Foot was given an interpreter, and they toured Moscow. Discusses his time pre- BRIXMIS and his impressions of the cold war. (Cassette 3, Side 2) Foot offers an analysis of BRIXMIS. Discusses his wife's contributions to his career.
- Subject:
- Cold War (1945-1989), Canada. Royal Canadian Air Force, World War (1914-1918), World War (1939-1945), and Military history
- Contributor:
- Foot, George and Scales, Peter
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2005-02-11/2005-02-17
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Sound
- Extent:
- 6 sound recordings (MP3)
- Geographic Coverage:
- Northern Ireland and Germany
- Coordinates:
- 54.5, -6.5 and 51.5, 10.5
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Three original audio cassettes in Special Collections.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- oral histories (literary genre), interviews, sound recordings, and reminiscences
- Archival Item Identifier:
- FG_433
- Fonds Title:
- Military oral history collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC141
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2012-09-06
- Technical Note:
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 44 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Digitized by JF, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview migrated to digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2012. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
317. Kinnis, Arthur G.: my Air Force recollections (February 11, and March 7, 2005)
- Title:
- Kinnis, Arthur G.: my Air Force recollections (February 11, and March 7, 2005)
- Description:
- Interviewee: Kinnis, Arthur G., Interviewer: Johnson, Gene, ABSTRACT: Flight Lieutenant Arthur Kinnis Royal Canadian Air Force Art Kinnis Pt 1.mp3, Art Kinnis Pt 2.mp3 Brief summary provided by interviewer. Mr. Kinnis then asked to provide background info. Born in Trail British Columbia on 05 April 1915. Member of the boy-scouts and later district scout master. Married on 01 September 1938 and had a daughter in 1940. "As war was underway there was only one thing I felt that I could do. And that was to join the forces." Chose the Air Force. "I liked taking photos, so I thought that this would be my best chance to get some good snap." Few details about training. In England "A warrant officer had the whole parade out on review, and, he said, 'I want the gunners over here; mid upper, there; and, oh yes, we can use the bomb aimers. You here. We're using you fellows up quite quickly.'... Those were very discouraging words, because I was by this time an air bomber and fully expected to get into action fairly soon." Describes being shot down. Describes the difficulty of exiting aircraft. As he floated down he witnessed Lancaster crashing. Made contact with "honest looking individual" who happened to be mayor of local town. Put in contact with resistance and had to prove his identity. Asked to identify bodies of fellow crewmembers. Told that skipper had been sent to hospital and radio operator last seen hiking towards Paris. Describes funeral of 3 dead crewmembers. During funeral, Lancaster's 3 long delayed bombs went off. "Almost like a salute to the three who had been killed." Describes safe house. "Been wanting to get back to England." Moved to Paris. Original plan was to be flown out on a Lysander or travel overland to England via Spain. During transit between resistance cells Mr. Kinnis was "sold" out to Gestapo. Describes the strength and weakness of the resistance. One resistance cell didn't know what the other was up to. Initial interrogation at Paris then put on Black Mariah van and transferred to Fresnes prison, about 20 miles from Paris. "As soon as we had those steel doors clanged behind us we knew life was going to be different." Description of conditions at Fresnes. Describes disciplinary measures. A guard, goon, hit Mr. Kinnis and burst his right eardrum. "At no time did we know how many people were in Fresnes. We knew there were a lot." On 15 August 1944, prisoners were brought to rail station and loaded onto 40 and 8s, so called because they were designed to transport 40 men or 8 horses. &5 loaded onto Mr. Kinnis' car; some cars had many more. "It was a most uncomfortable set-up." No ablution facilities and no privacy. Arrived at Buchenwald and prisoners were separated into groups. Processed and assigned numbers. Train trip had taken 5 days. Train had been the last one to leave Paris. "If we had stayed in the house... I would have been free." "We decided we had to get organized." Collected the names, serial numbers and Buchenwald numbers of 168 Allied aircrew. "Life in Buchenwald itself was very grim... there were rumours galore." What did you do to get through this? Group and individual efforts described. 17 SOE brought in the day before the 168 airmen. "The next thing we knew they'd been all murdered." SOE names also recorded in Kinnis diary. Lost 2 airmen due illness. All in ill health. Danish police incarcerated at Buchenwald. These men brought with them food rations that they shared with the airmen. Gives details of inmate-guards that helped the SS. Underground network existed and used to send messages out with work details. Underground snuck list of 168 names out to Nehru which was a Luftwaffe station. "There was no love lost between the Luftwaffe and the SS." "Within 2 or 3 days we had a visit from Luftwaffe officers" who arranged to get men onto a train and transferred to Stalag Luft III located near the town of Sagan. Once at Stalag Luft III the airmen had to prove their identity. Many airmen expressed disbelief that they had been to Buchenwald. Stalag Luft III a big improvement over Buchenwald. In January/February POWs were evacuated and forced to march away from advancing Soviet army. Great March. Some marched north towards Lubeck. American POWs were marched south towards Moosberg. Encountered no animosity from German civilians. Mr. Kinnis was sent to Luchenwald, Stalag 3A. Asked about food and recipes at Stalag III. Great interest in food. "Had to imagine sweetness." Recipes included in diary. What got you through it? Scouts. Talks about taking interior decorating in New York. Talks about courses in Stalag III. Designed his house. "That occupied a lot of my time." Great exchange of ideas amongst prisoners. Would give and take courses. Wife had found out in January that he had been taken prisoner, "but at no time did she know that I'd been at." Talks of meeting wife in Montreal and remembers telling her of Buchenwald. Didn't think anyone would want to hear about it. "It wasn't long before we found out that if we did say anything, people wouldn't believe us. They'd think we were line-shooting." Newspapers had claimed that no allied personnel had been sent to concentration camps. "The government did nothing to back us up." Mr. Kinnis had given government complete list of prisoners; government lost it. Asked to think back to initial training. Did training include egress, survival and evasion? Mr. Kinnis states that little training was given. People basically pointed to the exits.... Plans made for a second interview. Second Interview: 07 March 2005 Forced March. "One of the most delightful things that happened was that after only a few days at Stalag 3A I heard my name called from the other side of the fence." In February 1945 was reunited with his engineer and pilot. They filled him in on what had happened to them and to the best of their abilities to the rest of the crew. Recounts evacuation from Stalag III. 10,000 POWs from Stalag III. Approximately four days march. "Spremberg was the last of our marching. Boarded trains." Americans south to Moosberg. Some north to Lubeck. Mr. Kinnis' section went to Stalag 3A: Luchenwald. "Guards were as tired as we were."... "We had more freedom there." Describes arrival of Russians. ... "This mad Russian in the tank kept going"... Describes the way the Russians treated them. Also describes an execution of a German by a Soviet female soldier. "The war was over on May the 8th and we were still prisoners", Americans sent over a convoy of trucks to pick them up, but "it wasn't in the cards." The prisoners got onto the trucks, but were forced off by the Russians at bayonet point. A few prisoners escaped, but most played it safe and stayed put. Taken to Halle, processed and given a number for transfer back to England. "Felt that a good interrogation should have been given to all of our guys who'd been to Buchenwald." Not enough was done. Were you ever able to speak to your wife or your children about it? "We never talked about it." POW convention in 1981, Mr. Kinnis told fellow POWs about it. Give details about various conventions. "Big hunt for names started in 1983." "Whenever we went to a convention, we went as a group." Discusses differences between a regular POW and a Buchenwald POW. Regarding Buchenwald, different groups of prisoners assigned a different colour, how did you see yourself in relation to other groups? "Lots of rumours about what happened," but didn't really know. Discusses American bombing of Buchenwald industrial facilities. "Marvellous piece of bombing."... Describes it as precision bombing. "Those of us who were bomb-aimers looked for a place to hide... pilots and others" a bit slow to follow. POWs saw evidence of atrocities. Resistance and Underground were in camp. SOE discussed. Exempt from work details. After the majority of the airmen were shipped to Stalag III, some of the remaining airmen were put to work; they were no longer protected by their group identity. Loathing for SS. Post war disbelief. Even mother did not believe his story. Buchenwald POWs began to question if it had actually happened. No official recognition. Worked with local Member of Parliament in order to gain recognition. In a 1979 McLean's Magazine article, four airmen claimed they had been incarcerated at Buchenwald. In 1983 the Buchenwald POWs began organizing. Up until that time they hadn't realize the degree of psychological problems that the group was experiencing.... Very few KLB (Koncentration Lager Buchenwald) club members smoke. Remarkably few divorces. Credits wives for what they did for their KLB husbands. Group wasn't aware of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. Very close ties between members. Much closer than the camaraderie normally associated with a military unit.... Provides details of the assistance that members provide one another.... In 2002, the Canadian Government finally acknowledged that Canadians airmen had been sent to Buchenwald. Apologies for being so slow. Provides information about compensation provided various airmen who had been incarcerated at Buchenwald. Provides information on class action law suits in U.S. (45 minute break) Talks about German compensation. Victims wanted Germany to pay, not the Canadian Government. Provides additional information about compensation packages offered to other allied airmen. Department of Veterans Affairs apologized for delayed recognition. Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. Veteran Affairs aware that the Buchenwald POWs are suffering from it. Discusses what Veterans Affairs has done and not done for the Buchenwald POWs. Discusses the use of rail transport by the Germans. Talks again about the train trip out of Paris.... Describes the KLB crest. Crest was designed while at Buchenwald. Mr. Kinnis describes the difficulty of working indoors. A number of things still affects him. Discusses again what got him through the experience. "The house was my salvation." Emphasizes the importance of sticking together., Rank: Flight Lieutenant. , and An interview/narrative of Arthur Kinnis's experiences during World War II. Flight Lieutenant Kinnis served with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Interview took place on February 11 and March 7, 2005.
- Subject:
- Military history, World War (1939-1945), Stalag III A, World War (1914-1918), and Canada. Royal Canadian Air Force
- Contributor:
- Johnson, Gene and Kinnis, Arthur G.
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2005-02-11/2005-03-07
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Sound
- Extent:
- 2 sound recordings (MP3)
- Geographic Coverage:
- Germany--Luckenwalde, Québec--Montréal, and Germany
- Coordinates:
- 51.5, 10.5, 45.50884, -73.58781, and 52.09029, 13.16772
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Original recordings (MP3) on compact disc (CD-R) in Special Collections.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- sound recordings, oral histories (literary genre), reminiscences, and interviews
- Archival Item Identifier:
- KAG_438
- Fonds Title:
- Military oral history collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC141
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2005-02-11
- Technical Note:
- Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 128 kbps and 44 kHz. Digitized by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2005. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
318. Ladbury, Robert G.: my Air Force recollections (February 15, and 23, 2005)
- Title:
- Ladbury, Robert G.: my Air Force recollections (February 15, and 23, 2005)
- Description:
- Rank: Flight Lieutenant. , Interviewer: Nicks, Jennifer, ABSTRACT: Flight Lieutenant Robert Ladbury Royal Canadian Air Force (Cassette 1) Track 2: General discussion on DFC's. Track 3. Reasons for enlisting. Learned to fly Tiger Moths in 1939, waited for call up after war broke out. Track 4: On application he stated that he had finished high school (he had not). December 1st moved to London to Air Crew Receiving Centre, underwent all kinds of tests. Sent to grading school - this was to decide who was to become a pilot. He was found suitable as pilot material and was sent to Canada to train on Tiger Moths. Went solo after just 7 hours, his first flight was in 1942. (7 minutes) Fighter activity was in Russia. Trained on Anson's (bomber command) at Service Flying School. Went back to England in June 1943. Many pilots were lost during training. Went on BAT, (Beam Approach Training) course, flying Tiger Moths with BAT, learning how to fly an aircraft with Beam approach. Description of further flight training and elementary computers (20 minutes) He learned to fly Sterling's, biggest aircraft of its time. Required an engineer on crew as everything was electrical. All had to sign disclaimer for flying Sterling's. (32 minutes) Further description of the "Suicidal Sterling". Attended ground school, then 14 hours on Lancaster's. Ladbury was assigned to an Australian squadron, 460 Squadron at Benbrook. Trained from 1 December 1941 until April 1944. (39 minutes) Description of mess. Went to bomb in France. When they returned of the four RAF crews only one remained. Two Dutch crews were still there. (45 minutes) Untrained in radar though it was used in operations. Posted to 100 Squadron. Reposted to new unit to do Pathfinder duties. Did not know D-Day was coming up. Description of Pathfinder duties. (Cassette 2 ) Track 1: Briefings Track 2: Description of mess life at Benbrook. Went to special operations in France on full moons to bomb railway yards. Bomber Command pilots who successfully completed their tours, hit most of their targets, received a DFC. When finished he became a test pilot rather than an instructor. Discussion of morale which remained high. Lack of Moral Fibre, only knew of one person who lost his nerve. (28 minutes) Discusses his crew. Observations on the bombing campaign, he felt it went on too long, by October of 1944 they were bombing already bombed out targets. Further discussion of life in Benbrook and their relationship with the community. Track 3: Did not work Track 4: Discussion of night fighting and further reference materials (see reading list). (Cassette3) Track 1: Description of runways and emergency equipment. All went to Thetford for a battle course and taught unarmed combat. They practiced dummy runs to know how to escape. (7 minutes)They were dropped about ten miles out of the city and left to find their own way back. His particular group burglarized a hospital because there was food inside the window. Track 2: The pilot was held responsible for their crew (more important than rank). On some occasions higher-ranking officers were taken in their aircraft. Never a problem between rank and branches of the service. Track 3: All materials were donated to the Lancaster Museum in Nantun. Track 4: FIDO; three pipes on either side of the runway that ran the length of the runway full of gasoline heat would be used to disperse fog used a number of times. Thousands of gallons of gasoline provided a tremendous inferno. F/Lt. Ladbury's recommended readings to learn more about Lancaster's and Bomber Command: Middlebrook, Martin. The Nuremberg Raid: 30-31 March 1944. (London: Cassell & Co. {Cassell Military Paperpack series} 1980). Peden, Murray. A Thousand Shall Fall. (Canada: Canada's Wings Inc. 1979) Pearce, F/Lt. David H (DFC). Dark Skies and Dead Reckoning. (Victoria Australia: Coal Country Printers Pty Ltd. 2000) Garbett, M. and B. Goulding. Lancaster. (London: The Promotional Reprint Company. 1997) (All of F/Lt. Ladbury's materials can be found in the Nantun Lancaster Museum), Interviewee: Ladbury, Robert G., and An interview/narrative of Robert Ladbury's experiences during World War II. Flight Lieutenant Ladbury served with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Interview took place on February 15 and 23, 2005.
- Subject:
- Operation Overlord, Military history, World War (1914-1918), World War (1939-1945), and Canada. Royal Canadian Air Force
- Contributor:
- Ladbury, Robert G. and Nicks, Jennifer
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2005-02-15/2005-02-23
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Sound
- Extent:
- 5 sound recordings (MP3)
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia--Victoria and England
- Coordinates:
- 48.4359, -123.35155 and 52.16045, -0.70312
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Three original audio cassettes ; 3 digital audio MiniDiscs in Special Collections.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- reminiscences, interviews, oral histories (literary genre), and sound recordings
- Archival Item Identifier:
- LRG_439
- Fonds Title:
- Military oral history collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC141
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2012-09-24
- Technical Note:
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 44 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Digitized by JF, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview migrated to digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2012. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
319. Calder, John M.: my Air Force recollections (February 16, 2005)
- Title:
- Calder, John M.: my Air Force recollections (February 16, 2005)
- Description:
- Interviewer: Nicks, Jennifer, An interview/narrative of John Calder's experiences during World War II. Flight Lieutenant Calder served with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Interview took place on February 16, 2005., ABSTRACT: Flight Lieutenant John M. Calder Royal Canadian Air Force Calder_J_0117_01.mp3 Flight Lieutenant Calder served with 235 Squadron in Coastal Command. He flew Mosquito's and Beaufighters. He was also awarded a DFC for his engagement with four Dornier 217s of which two were shot down and two were damaged. He was responsible for flying armed rovers, which were, essentially, seek and destroy missions. He also had the opportunity to escort a damaged aircraft into an airfield that was under fire., Interviewee: Calder, John M., and Rank: Flight Lieutenant.
- Subject:
- Military history, World War (1939-1945), Canada. Royal Canadian Air Force, and World War (1914-1918)
- Contributor:
- Nicks, Jennifer and Calder, John M.
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2005-02-16
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Sound
- Extent:
- 1 sound recording (MP3)
- Geographic Coverage:
- Canada
- Coordinates:
- 60.10867, -113.64258
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- One original digital audio MiniDisc (ca. 80 min.) ; 1 sound cassette copy in Special Collections.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- oral histories (literary genre), sound recordings, reminiscences, and interviews
- Archival Item Identifier:
- JMC_117
- Fonds Title:
- Military oral history collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC141
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2010-05-17
- Technical Note:
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 44 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Digitized by JF, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview migrated to digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2010. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
320. Sager, Arthur H.: my Air Force recollections (February 17, 2005)
- Title:
- Sager, Arthur H.: my Air Force recollections (February 17, 2005)
- Description:
- Interviewer: Johnson, Gene M., Rank: Squadron Leader. , An interview/narrative of Arthur H. Sager's experiences during World War II. Squadron Leader Sager served with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Interview took place on February 17, 2005., ABSTRACT: Squadron Leader Arthur Hazelton Sager Norman Reid Pt 1.mp3 Squadron Leader Sager was born in Hazelton, "Middle name actually a mistake, " where his father had interned as a medical missionary. Both parents were English. Worked through university. Traveled to England to become an actor. Became a newspaper reporter. Interviewed a number of European refugees and this convinced him that, "although a staunch pacifist," the day for pacifism had passed. Attitudes of 1920s and 1930s youth quite different from today. "We were inculcated with the idea that war was evil... we were pacifists... we didn't scoff at [WWI] veterans" but didn't treat them appropriately. Youth today seems more thankful for the sacrifices of veterans. Was there a specific interview that influenced you? Refugee camp near Ramsgate and an interview with a young piano teacher, both shook him. Both were about six weeks before the war. His Cockney landlady also influenced him.... Why come back to Canada instead of joining the RAF. Only sure way to get into aircrew training.... Required a birth certificate. Mother refused to sign an affidavit concerning his birth unless he returned to Canada and join RCAF. Discusses training as a pilot. "Deliberately did poorly on" some subjects and did his best on the Link trainer in order to make certain he didn't become a navigator. What makes a good pilot? Completed training and shipped out to England in 1941. Stationed in South Wales. What type of emergency and survival training was provided? Discusses what happens to a Spitfire when ditched into the sea. Also briefed about what to do in the event of being shot down over occupied Europe.... Mentions that escape routes through Spain were already set up. Who to contact? "You were informed to stay clear of two categories... one was the clergy, the church; the other was the police.... You didn't ever contact well-to-do looking people." Aircrew were advised to approach "only the poorest. And then you were put into touch with the resistance." Knew two pilots who were captured. What was the Spitfire like? Comparison with the Hurricane. Spitfire "had feminine lines." Discusses the disadvantages of carburetion. Provides other information about the aircraft.... Problems with the Packard Merlin engine.... >>>After the Normandy invasion the Spitfire was used as a strafing aircraft. For ground attack, devised techniques to minimize risks. "Found some way to divert the attention of the ground gunners." Would divided the squadron into 3 and attack from different positions. Discusses reasons for becoming a fighter pilot.... Being a pacifist, he envisioned attacking only fellow fighter pilots who had an equal chance.... Esprit de Corps was absolutely essential. Everyone had a very important role to play.... "If they had the feeling that what they did was worthwhile" the whole team would benefit. Teamwork was important. Line Shoot. Memoirs that were originally taped for his blind sister. Talks about various things related to fatigue. Went sent back to Britain, primarily due to fatigue, he felt as if he were abandoning his squadron.... Describes a couple of emergencies... Came back to Canada. Assigned to Jericho as discharge officer. "One day... a cable came through; discharge A. H. Sager.... I discharged myself..." Some difficulty at reintegrating into civilian life. Went to university. President of U.B.C., Dr. Norman McKenzie, needed somebody to publicize U.B.C.'s veterans' education program.... Mr. Sager worked with Dr. McKenzie for two years. 9000 veterans were put through the program... Group Commanders would keep close vigil on their men and send them off if they became tired. How does this compare to Bomber Command and its use of such terms as Lack of Moral Fibre (LMF)?.... During WWII, no one knew much about psychiatric problems and stress. Different ways to handle different cases. Need to ensure the safety of the squadron. The term LMF was unjustified, but those in charge have to think about the team., and Interviewee: Sager, Arthur H.
- Subject:
- Military history, World War (1939-1945), World War (1914-1918), and Canada. Royal Canadian Air Force
- Contributor:
- Johnson, Gene M. and Sager, Arthur H.
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2005-02-17
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Sound
- Extent:
- 1 sound recording (MP3)
- Geographic Coverage:
- Europe and England
- Coordinates:
- 48.69096, 9.14062 and 52.16045, -0.70312
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Original recording (MP3) on compact disc (CD-R) in Special Collections.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- interviews, sound recordings, oral histories (literary genre), and reminiscences
- Archival Item Identifier:
- SAH_450
- Fonds Title:
- Military oral history collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC141
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2005-02-17
- Technical Note:
- Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 128 kbps and 44 kHz. Digitized by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2005. Migration metadata by KD and MT.