Harzan, Herbert: my naval experiences (November 10, 2006)

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An interview/narrative of Commander Herbert Harzan's experiences whilst serving with the Royal Canadian Navy. Interview took place on November 10, 2006.

ABSTRACT: Commander Herb Harzan Interview with Commander Herb Harzan was conducted on November 10th, 2006 at the University of Victoria in Victoria, British Columbia. Interview was conducted by Titania Guterson. The interview starts with Commander Harzan explaining his choice for joining the Canadian Navy. Commander Harzan began his naval career by entering the Venture Officer Training program. From there he trained to become a pilot. He began by flying fixed-wing aircraft and then he moved on to helicopter training. Commander Harzan explains what a typical training day looked like, including the difference between training on fixed-wing and helicopters. Commander Harzan explains how the system of re-qualifications changed throughout the years. Commander Harzan talked about his different posting including Shearwater, Ottawa, and Victoria. Commander Harzan mentions the HMCS Bonaventure, the DDH where helicopters flew off destroyers, and his time in the VX10 experimental squadron. Commander Harzan explains a helicopter exchange program that he took part in with the United States. He also explores the difference between Canada and the U.S. and between exercises and missions. Commander Harzan flew in both the East and West of Canada and he explains what each was like, how they were run, and what the differences were. Commander Harzan briefly mentions his posting to Europe for two years with NATO. Commander Harzan spent most of his time talking about the Sea King helicopter. Commander Harzan describes Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and how helicopters, ships, and other aircraft played a role. Commander Harzan also goes on to talk about unification and the effects it had on the Navy.

Rank: Commander.

Interviewee: Harzan, Herbert

Interviewer: Guterson, Titania

In Collection:
Contributor Subject Language Date created Relation
  • Part of the Military Oral History Class collection of interviews.
  • Title of paper: "Canadian Naval Aviation in the Post-war Period: Oral History vs. Secondary Sources".
Resource type Rights statement Extent
  • 1 sound recording (MP3)
Geographic coverage Coordinates
  • 48.4359, -123.35155
Additional physical characteristics
  • Original recording (DVF) on compact disc (CD) in Special Collections.
Physical repository Collection
  • Canadian Military Oral History Collection
Provider Genre Archival item identifier
  • HH_481
Fonds title Fonds identifier Is referenced by Date digitized
  • January 23, 2013
Technical note
  • Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 16 kHz. Digitized by JF, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview migrated to digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2013. 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 Harzan_H_481_01.mp3