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Dobson, William: my Air Force recollections (June 21, 1977)

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Interviewee: Dobson, William, b. 1914

An interview/narrative of William Dobson's experiences during World War II. Flight Lieutenant Dobson served with the Royal Air Force and the Royal Canadian Air Force. Interview took place on June 21, 1977.

ABSTRACT: Flt.Lt. (Rev.) William Dobson Royal Air Force Royal Canadian Air Force Dobson_W_0048_01.mp3 (Side 1) Born on Oct. 8, 1914 in Duncan, B.C. Worked and saved for five years to put himself through the University of Edinburgh (1936-1939). Returned to Canada upon the outbreak of war. Travelled to Britain on a Greek freighter and joined the Royal Air Force (R.A.F).. Trained as a wireless operator, air gunner. (10:00) Rose to sergeant, commissioned as a pilot officer in 1942. Describes training. On his second tour over Germany he was a flight lieutenant in a Canadian Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force (R.C.A.F.), responsible for all wireless operators. Comments on the use of "tinsel" and "fish pond". Not too much heavy work involved. Good ground crew relations. (20:00) Flying anecdote, operational comments. Longest operation: ten hours to Czechoslovakia. Describes role of pathfinders. He served first with 4 Group, R.A.F. which had a high rate of loss (about five per cent per raid), then 6 Group, R.C.A.F. where it was lower. British airfields internally well spread out, thus much use of bicycles was necessary. Buildings kept small, no permanent hangers. (40:00) Dobson_W_0048_02.mp3 Comments on mess life which promoted unity. Discusses permanent force aircrew and personal hostilities. (51:00) (Side 2) Young people today must understand the world in a realistic way. Understand human nature. Consider patriotism. Must not rule out all physical, mental, and spiritual abilities. (03:15)

Rank: Flight Lieutenant.

In Collection:
Contributor Subject Language Keyword Date created Relation
  • Part of the Reginald H. Roy collection of interviews.
  • Facts from Mrs. Dobson, Sept. 20, 1988: Will Dobson, formerly Editor of the Cowichan Journal, entered the Anglican priesthood in 1971.
Resource type Rights statement Extent
  • 2 sound recordings (MP3)
Geographic Coverage Coordinates
  • 51.5, 10.5
  • 60.10867, -113.64258
  • 54.75844, -2.69531
Additional physical characteristics
  • One original sound cassette (ca. 55 min.) : 1 7/8 ips, 2 track, mono. ; 2 sound cassette copies : standard, mono. in Special Collections.
Physical Repository Collection
  • Canadian Military Oral History Collection
Provider Genre Archival item identifier
  • DW_048
Fonds title Fonds identifier Is referenced by Date digitized
  • May 28, 2007
Technical note
  • Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 22 kHz. In .mp3 format at 64 kbps and 22 kHz. Digitized by AN, 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 2007. 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
Thumbnail Title Date Uploaded Actions
file details SC141_MilitaryOralHistory_GenericThumbnail
file details Dobson_W_0048_01.mp3
file details Dobson_W_0048_02.mp3