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Henigman, Clarence Francis: my Air Force recollections (May 30, and June 13, 1985)

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Interviewee: Henigman, Clarence Francis, b. 1920

An interview/narrative of Clarence Francis Henigman's experiences during World War II. Flying Officer Henigman served with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Interview took place on May 30 and June 13, 1985.

Rank: Flying Officer.

Interviewer: Hill, Mark C.

ABSTRACT: Flying Officer Clarence Francis Henigman Royal Canadian Air Force Henigman_C_0080_01.mp3 (Side 1) Born in 1920 in Saskatoon; moved to Victoria in 1938. Planned to work his passage to England to join the R.A.F. The war intervened in Sept. 1939 and he volunteered for R.C.A.F. air crew. Was called up in Aug. 1940. (10:00) Manning depot, Toronto. Initial training school at the Hunt Club in Toronto where air crew members received their designation. (23:00) Was chosen as a wireless air gunner. Was posted to No. 3 Wireless Training School in Calgary and later, in Mar. 1941, the gunnery and bombing school in Mossbank, Sask. Was awarded wings and sent overseas as a sergeant in June 1941. (35:00) Impressions of England. Operational training unit where he attempted to remuster as a navigator. Was sent to No. 7 Squadron, R.A.F. Took navigational training on Vickers Wellingtons. (45:00) Henigman_C_0080_02.mp3 Was not crewed up, but used as a spare crew member. Operational flights were taken in Short Stirling bombers. Comments on heavy casualties. (10:00) First operational flight against Essen. Preparations, briefing, heavy flak over target. On his second operation, which was against Emden, was shot down over the Dutch coast by a night fighter. All the crew parachuted safely. (25:00) They were quickly captured, then taken to Amsterdam, then Dulag Luft near Frankfurt where they were interrogated. They were sent to Stalag Luft 3 about ninety km. from Berlin. Much activity within the camp, German food almost adequate compared to later in the war. Red Cross parcels kept them in reasonably good physical shape. The guards were honest and did not pilfer the parcels. Occasional raids by the Gestapo searching for contraband. Several clandestine radios were in the camp and a news sheet was produced. (45:00) Henigman_C_0080_03.mp3 (Side 2) Educational programs from the University of London were obtained through the Red Cross. Camp life, escapes, guards were bribed with coffee, chocolate, etc., in order to obtain some of the necessities. (10:00) Escape committees were established; great spirit of co-operation. From Stalag Luft 3 they were taken through East Prussia to Lithuania, to a new camp, Stalag Luft 6. (26:00) Comments on the U.S. Air Force P.O.W.s., an independent, fractious group which had difficulties in organizing. The cold and dampness were serious problems in winter. The Germans issued wooden clogs which, for warmth, were much more effective than leather boots. A considerable amount of clothing was received from the Red Cross and in parcels from Canada. Regular inspections by the International Red Cross; if one was ill one had a chance of repatriation. The Germans were very conscious of medical care and treatment. (45:00) Henigman_C_0080_04.mp3 In June 1944 they were transported in boxcars to Torun (Thorn) on the Vistula River (Camp No. 357) where they stayed for about six weeks. Then by train to a camp near Hannover. Food became scarce. The winter of 1944/45 was very hard; sickness and low morale a problem. In Apr. 1945 marched westward across Luneberg Heath. Eventually were given one American Red Cross parcel. Their column of P.O.W.s was strafed by R.A.F. Typhoons; perhaps fifty were killed. (20:00) Quite ill. Was aided and fed by some German soldiers; liberated by the British army and (30:00) flown to Brussels, then to England. Was commissioned pilot officer. Henigman_C_0080_05.mp3 Many amenities were provided to ex-P.O.W.s: special rations, free rail passes, a wonderful time. Returned to Canada in July 1945. R.C.A.F. provided a poorly organized reception at Lachine, Que. Was discharged in Aug. 1945. Regrets not taking the opportunity to obtain a university education. (44:00)

In Collection:
Contributor Subject Language Keyword Date created Relation
  • Part of the Reginald H. Roy collection of interviews.
Resource type Rights statement Extent
  • 5 sound recordings (MP3)
Geographic Coverage Coordinates
  • 60.10867, -113.64258
  • 39.76, -98.5
  • 54.75844, -2.69531
Additional physical characteristics
  • One original sound tape reel (ca. 180 min.) : 1 7/8 ips, 2 track, mono. ; 3 sound cassette copies : standard, mono. in Special Collections.
Physical Repository Collection
  • Canadian Military Oral History Collection
Provider Genre Archival item identifier
  • HCF_080
Fonds title Fonds identifier Is referenced by Date digitized
  • June 11, 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
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file details SC141_MilitaryOralHistory_GenericThumbnail
file details Henigman_C_0080_01.mp3
file details Henigman_C_0080_02.mp3
file details Henigman_C_0080_03.mp3
file details Henigman_C_0080_04.mp3
file details Henigman_C_0080_05.mp3