Sager, Arthur H.: my Air Force recollections (March 22, 2005)
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 March 22, 2005.
Interviewee: Sager, Arthur H.
Rank: Squadron Leader.
ABSTRACT: Squadron Leader Arthur H. Sager (ret’d.) Squadron Leader Arthur Sager was interviewed on the 22nd of March 2005. He was in England as a reporter when war broke out in 1939. He felt he was a pacifist and didn't want to kill people and felt that being a fighter pilot in the sky was the best means to do so and thus applied to the RAF but was not accepted due to not having proper identification. He went back to Canada and taught for 6 months then upon receiving the proper education, he applied to the RCAF. He commanded his own squadron the 443 consisting of Spitfires. He is the only surviving wartime officer of the squadron which is now a helicopter squadron located in Esquimalt. His previous education was high school and then received a B.A. at the University of British Columbia. He explained that being in great physical shape proved to help more than anything else in his training to be a fighter pilot. He discusses his commonwealth training and how he was able to avoid being a bomber pilot by going AWOL and not doing as well as he could on some exams in order to be selected as a fighter pilot. He explains how he was a bad shot at the beginning because he shot at the wrong time. He contributes his success to the more experience he gained after each mission. He tells how dangerous it was escorting bombers. His instructors were those on leave from fighting in Europe and he explains that he learned a lot from hearing about their experiences. His training as a fighter pilot took place in England. He explains the importance of a cockpit check and how his experience of not doing an extensive check and the repercussions of it. He took off into a core spin and was lucky to survive from it during training in England. He explains operations he took part in starting with the invasion of France. He received an award from the French government for his leadership of his squadron during the liberation of France. He then talks about his battles over Holland against experienced German pilots recently returning from the Eastern Front. He explains that his dogfights would last no more than 3 to 4 minutes. The main fighter he was up against was Messerschmits 109. He took part in the Battle of Arnhem during Operation Market Garden. He explains the advantages each aircraft when comparing the Spitfire to the German fighters. The fuel injection in the German aircraft was a distinct advantage. The spitfire could out turn German aircraft. He explains teamwork was an important part to having success in the air and compares his squadrons to the German ones he was up against. He talks about a story of chasing a German fighter and how he ran out of bullets trying to shoot him down. He figured the pilot was a rookie and was able to scare him off by flying so close to him.
Interviewer: Allen, Nicholas
- In Collection:
- 1 sound recording (MP3)
- 52.16045, -0.70312
- 48.69096, 9.14062
- One original audio cassette in Special Collections.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- SAH_451
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/military-oral-history-collection
- December 5, 2012
- 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.
- 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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