Matthews, Herbert: my Canadian Maritime Air Support experiences (March 12, 2014)
PublicInterviewer: Jezierski, Janel
An interview/narrative of Lieutenant Herbert Matthews's experiences whilst serving with Canadian Maritime Air Support. Interview took place on March 12, 2014.
Interviewee: Matthews, Herbert
Rank: Lieutenant.
ABSTRACT: Narrator: Matthews, Herbert Title: The Value of Oral History Explored Through Canadian Maritime Air Support, 1941-1994 Interviewer: Interviewed by Janel Jezierski Extent 1 sound recording (MP3 or list other format) file length: 1:23:59, file size: 907,500 (kB) Interview Date and Location 12 March 2014, Victoria BC. Synopsis: The interview begins with some details on Lieutenant Matthews' background, including where he was born and growing up during the Depression. He then discusses his decision to enlist and his work prior to doing so. Next, Lt. Matthews describes his training experience and how he volunteered for Astro-Navigation school in Rivers, Manitoba. The narrative then turns to his travelling across Canada and oversees to Scotland where he is posted to Bomber Command. Next he discusses training for Bomber Command and joining 120 squadron in Silluth, Scotland. Lt. Matthews then describes his position as a navigator and trainer, including his tasks and their relevance to the war effort. At 30:25 Lt. Matthews begins a discussion on the Mid-Atlantic Air Gap and the measures taken to close it. He emphasizes the importance of U-Boat Suppression and gives his thoughts .on how crucial the Mark Ill Low Level Bombsights were to the war effort. Next, Lt. Matthews discusses the U-boat he and his men sunk that resulted in his obtaining a Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). He then discusses how his responsibility for the death of the men on the U-boat affected him after the war, and how some of his friends experienced similar struggles. Next, Lt. Matthews describes the U-boat suppression and navigation that took up the rest of his time in Bomber Command, and the impact of U-boat technology advancements. Lt. Matthews then compares his experiences in bomber and coastal command. He also talks about his relationship with the other pilots in his squadron, who were of a variety of nationalities, and what they did for leisure. Next he discusses the overall effectiveness of his crew and elaborates on his thoughts about which factors were the most decisive in winning the Battle of the Atlantic. Then Lt. Matthews discusses factors that impacted the moral of his crew, and the level of contact he had with home during the war. Finally, the narrative turns to Lt. Matthews' post war training in the Bahamas, his life after the war, and the overall impact of the war on his life. 0:00- 1:27: Background, upbringing, education before enlistment 1:27- 9:30: Enlistment, Initial Training, Observer School Training 9:30- 14:35: Travel to Clyde, Scotland and start of kit-bag troubles 14:35- 19:45: Posting to Coastal Command, Astro-Navigation Training 19:45- 30:25 Bombing Command at 120 Squadron in Ireland, Reykjavik (Iceland) on Very Long Range Liberators (VLR), tasks as navigator, MET cards 30:25-40:00 Mid Atlantic Air Gap, U-Boat suppression, Mark Ill Low Level Bombsight, Leigh Light, Night attack 40:00 - 48:32: Mid-Atlantic Day attack, sinking the U-boat, aftermath 48:32 - 53:44 Supression, Rosengarten, training new navigators (land navigation, the mountain scare), Astro-Compass in North Atlantic circle 53:44 - 59:00: Russian convoy, U-Boat advancements (air sea rescue officer's plane), morale, bomber vs. coastal command 59:00 - : crew and leisure, Leigh Light and training, overall effectiveness of crew, opinions on war Battle of the Atlantic, Iceland and radar, morale, contact with home 1:15:00: post- war in the Bahamas, radar bomb site 1:22:14: Life after the military, overall impact Suggested Clip(s) for Archive: 30:25-40:00 Mid Atlantic Air Gap, U-Boat suppression, Mark Ill Low Level Bombsight, Leigh Light, Night attack 40:00 - 48:32: Mid-Atlantic Day attack, sinking the U-boat, aftermath 48:32 - 53:44 Supression, Rosengarten, training new navigators (land navigation, the mountain scare), Astro-Compass in North Atlantic circle Subject Key Words World War Two; Canadian Air Force; Observer School; Navigator Training; Coastal Command; Bomber Command; 102 Squadron; Clyde, Scotland; Astro-Navigation; Reykjavik, Iceland; VLR Liberator; Mid Atlantic Air Gap; Battle of the Atlantic; Maritime; U-Boats, suppression of; Rosengarten; Leigh Light; Mark Ill Bombersights; radar.
- In Collection:
- 1 sound recording (MP3)
- 48.4359, -123.35155
- Original sound recording (AIFF) also available.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- MH_806
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/military-oral-history-collection
- March 12, 2014
- Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 128 kbps and 44 kHz. Recorded in digital format by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2014. 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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