Schurman, Don: my Air Force recollections (November 3, 2007)

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Interviewee: Schurman, Don, b. 1923

An interview/narrative of Don Schurman's experiences during World War II. Dr. Schurman served with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Interview took place on November 3, 2007.

Interviewer: Tumchewics, Louise

ABSTRACT: Interview Summary Interviewee: Dr. Don Schurman Interviewer: Louise Tumchewics November 3, 2007. Victoria, British Columbia The interview begins with a brief introduction to Don, his birth in Truro, Nova Scotia in 1923 and the process and motivation for his enlistment in the RCAF at age 17 1/2. He describes his basic training at Dorval, Quebec, his selection for wireless operation school and the nature of his training and Fingal and Guelph, Ontario.. He recalls his selection for Bomber Command after his initial selection for coastal command was cancelled. He reflects on the high calibre of bomber crews "the cream of the crop." He recounts his journey to Bournemouth, UK and the additional wireless training he received in. Northern Ireland, for additional training. He recounts being shipped to a base at Honeybourne, the crew assignment process and the members of his almost all-Canadian crew. He describes his captain's leadership skills and the ideological closeness of crew despite personal differences. Schurman discuss the aircraft he flew. He flew Wellingtons at Honeybourne, and Halifaxes and later Lancasters operationally. He gives his opinion of Halifaxes and Lancasters and compares the two aircraft. He describes the radio equipment he used, his responsibilities and routine as a wireless operator. He recounts his ineptness with radar despite hours of training. Never experienced jamming of radar, but did jam German radar, by using Window. Tells of throwing window out of the aircraft. Schurman discusses preparation for and duration of trips. HE recalls the very thorough briefing and expresses admiration for the RCAF's intelligence gathering process. HE recounts his feelings immediately prior to his first trip, the routine and responsibilities of an average trip. Schurman recounts his trip to Chemnitz 6-70 miles from Dresden, the night Dresden was bombed. He did not realize how hard Dresden was going to be hit and could see the colour of the sky where Dresden was. He gives opinion of post-war interpretations of this history. He describes his longest trip to Schwarzenberg, Austria and flying mining runs on the North Sea. He relates a story of mining the Oslo fjord, Kiel harbour, and the tactics used by his pilot to avoid flak and searchlights. He discusses the dangers of Bomber command and feels that training accidents a result of insufficient. He mentions that his most harrowing experience which occurred in operational training unit at Honeybourne, and goes on to briefly describe a near-crash in a Halifax V. He describes the post-operational return to a squadron and the very thorough de­ briefing of crews by intelligence officers. He mentions the good luck of 409 squadron as they had very low loss rates while he was flying with them. He discusses on case of a inan who was sent away for lack of moral fibre. He reflects on how his crew kept up morale, and activities they did together as crew in their spare time. At the end of the war Schurman was given a choice of staying on to fight against the Japanese or going home. He mentions his participation in humanitarian missions to Brussels to fly ex-POWs home at the end of the war. He describes a photograph of wireless school, and points out survivors and casualties. He talks about books describing the unfortunate fate of a friend. The interview concludes with his reflection on how the war has shaped the way he lived his life and generational differences.

In Collection:
Contributor Subject Language Keyword Date created Relation
  • Part of the Military Oral History Class collection of interviews.
Resource type Rights statement Geographic coverage Coordinates
  • 54.5, -6.5
  • 60.10867, -113.64258
  • 54.75844, -2.69531
Physical repository Collection
  • Canadian Military Oral History Collection
Provider Genre Archival item identifier
  • SD_763
Fonds title Fonds identifier Is referenced by
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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