Masters, Robert L.: my Air Force recollections (November 27, 1982, and March 19, 1983)
Interviewee: Masters, Robert L., b. 1922
ABSTRACT: Flight Sgt. Robert L. Masters Royal Canadian Air Force Masters_R_0157_01.mp3 (Cassette 1, Side 1) Born on May 14, 1922 in Nelson, B.C. His family moved to Seattle, Wash. where he was educated. For a time he worked for the Boeing aircraft plant at Sea Island, B.C. Joined the R.C.A.F. on Nov. 3, 1941. Explains patriotic feelings and the need to stop fascism. Trained as a wireless air gunner in Alberta. Poor food and a rough trip to England. Some difficulty between commissioned and non commissioned air crew. Civilian experiences in England. Posted to a conversion unit (Handley Page Halifax bombers). Joined a R.A.F. crew as mid-upper gunner and posted to No. 51 Squadron, R.A.F., No. 4 Group stationed in Yorkshire. Masters_R_0157_02.mp3 (Cassette 1, Side 2, transcript p. 21) Navigation exercises, bomb runs, gunnery practice against fighter aircraft. Feelings toward danger of mid-air collisions, learned landing techniques. On his third operational trip to Düsseldorf/Krefeld on June 21, 1943 his aircraft was shot down during the "photo run" by radar-controlled flak. Comments on the heavy flak defenses of the Ruhr; a fifty-mile belt of anti aircraft defenses. German radar was efficiently used and rapidly directed blinding searchlights or night fighters to the bomber aircraft. As mid-upper gunner he saw the line of shell bursts approaching the aircraft, but, before he had time to warn the pilot, the flak hit the port wing, damaging both engines. Refers here to pictures of the aircraft taken the day after it crash landed and the procedure used by the tail gunner to evacuate his position. The pilot had managed to crash land in Belgium. Explains feelings and technique of bailing out of the Halifax; plenty of time in their case, about half an hour after being hit. Discusses the use of homing pigeons which were standard equipment in bomber aircraft in 1943. Crews thus were able to advise England if they were safe. Pigeons were later discontinued since they could not survive the high altitudes common later in the war. Recalls a recent visit to the crash site where he was able to recover a few small artefacts from his aircraft. Masters_R_0157_03.mp3 (Cassette 2, Side 1, transcript p. 42) He parachuted into a field of cows. Avoided German troops, entered a small pub where he met members of the Belgian resistance who hurried him away. This area was close to the village of Mol in north-eastern Belgium. Opinion of some resistance fighters and the informer who later caused the capture of some of his Belgian friends. Reflects on concentration and extermination camps and his dangerous association with the resistance. Attitude of the Gestapo toward civilians helping Allied airmen. Explains the system of five-man resistance cells. Masters_R_0157_04.mp3 (Cassette 2, Side 2, transcript p. 62) Operated for a time in a terrorist cell, most frequently against Belgian collaborators. In hiding in Turnhout, near Mol. Constant moves necessary. With false papers travelled by train and tram to Antwerp and Brussels. Moved to the French border as a first step to return to England, but returned to Brussels when news received that the previous group had been stopped in Paris. Moved to Liege (Sept. 1943) where he joined the terrorist group. Many of the families with whom he stayed were not involved in the resistance beyond hiding somebody for a few days. Masters acted as armourer for his group; reconditioned a considerable variety of arms. Personally thought the group was in danger due to slack security. Here he met an American airman (Harry) with whom he later attempted to escape to Switzerland. (end of transcript, p. 80.) Masters_R_0157_05.mp3 (Cassette 3) In a party of three plus a guide they made their way to Paris which they quickly passed through, then on to Besancon, near the Swiss border. German patrols were very troublesome. Only "Harry" was able to cross a small river into Switzerland. Walked to the point of exhaustion attempting to find a safe route. Masters_R_0157_06.mp3 Eventually ran into a German motorcycle patrol. After a stop in the local jail they were placed in the civilian prison in Besancon. Describes cellmates, very poor food, and living conditions. Luckily he had kept his R.C.A.F. identification card and through this was able to be identified by the air force interrogation centre at Frankfurt (Dulag Luft). Fortunately the Germans did not check for any underground connection. Describes Dulag Luft, Red Cross clothing, trip by train to Frankfurt in extreme cold. Masters_R_0157_07.mp3 (Cassette 4) Sent to Stalag 5A. Describes Argentinian "milk jam" in the Red Cross parcels; milk condensed until it reached the colour and consistency of peanut butter. Very good on bread. Returns to his experiences in Belgium and the friends he made during the war and had renewed since. (total cassette time: about five hours)
Rank: Flight Sergeant.
Interviewer: Stafford, David A. T.
An interview/narrative of Robert L. Masters's experiences during World War II. Flight Sergeant Masters served with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Interview took place on November 27, 1982 and March 19, 1983.
- In Collection:
- 7 sound recordings (MP3)
- 52.16045, -0.70312
- Four original sound cassettes (ca. 300 min.) : standard, mono. in Special Collections.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- MRL_157
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/david-stafford-fonds
- January 21, 2009
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 44 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 32 kHz. Digitized by KG, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Transferred from audio reel to audio cassette between 1987-1997. Interview migrated to digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2009. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
- Rights
- 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
- DOI
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