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Walls, Gerald: my Air Force recollections (November 9, 2007)

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An interview/narrative of Gerald Walls's experiences during World War II. Walls served with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Interview took place on November 9, 2007.

Interviewee: Walls, Gerald

Interviewer: Tumchewics, Louise

ABSTRACT: Interview Summary Interviewee: Gerry Wails Interviewer: Louise Tumchewics November 9, 2007. Victoria, British Columbia. The interview begins with a brief introduction to Gerry, his birth and early life in rural Saskatchewan. He recounts leaving the family farm, joining the RCAF and his basic training at Manning Depot in Edmonton. He mentions his selection for navigation school because of his high marks in math and physics in high school, which were an indication that he was suited for the occupation. He describes the specifics of Gee and H2S, the instruction that he received on them and evaluates the adequacy of his pre- combat training. He discusses his two-week embarkation leave, in which he returned home, got married and then traveled to England. He describes his months-long delay at Bournemouth prior to being assigned to an operational training unit. Describes trip to England, and arrival in Bournemouth and months delayed there while awaiting assignment to an operational training unit. He talks about the crewing assignment process, describes his fellow crew members, and the friendly relationship that developed amongst them. Walls tells of his crews' assignment to 429 squadron, gives more information on the size and activities of the squadron. He discusses flying on the Halifax m and the improvements of the Halifax m over the Halifax V and gives his opinion of the Halifax III as a combat aircraft. He describes the detailed briefing navigators and pilots received prior to trips, and the briefings received by the entire crew. He recounts his crew's pre-flight and his own good luck tokens and rituals. He describes the routine of an average operational trip, his responsibilities as a navigator and the interaction among crew members, particularly pilot and navigator, while in flight. Walls recounts one of his most harrowing experiences that occurred on a trip to Mannheim: Walls mentions the loss rates of 429 squadron and discusses two incidents of aircrew he knew personally who lost their nerve and were unable to fly because of the stress and strain of flying and losses. He recalls the methods used by his crew to keep up morale and cope with hardships. He reflects on the generational difference between young people then and now and changing ideas of hardship and duty. Walls remembers that the war ended early for him as he completed a full tour and was sent away from operational service to be a navigation instructor. His captain had completed a full tour as well and was screened at the same time. He recalls the disappointment he and his captain felt at the prospect of leaving their crew and the efforts the crew made to stay in touch throughout the years. The interview concludes with Walls' reflection on the effect of his wartime experience on his personal development, and the effect that similar activities had on fellow members of his generation.

In Collection:
Contributor Subject Language Keyword Date created Relation
  • Part of the Military Oral History Class collection of interviews.
Resource type Rights statement Extent
  • 1 sound recording (MP3)
Geographic Coverage Coordinates
  • 60.10867, -113.64258
  • 54.75844, -2.69531
Additional physical characteristics
  • Original sound recording (WAV) also available.
Physical Repository Collection
  • Canadian Military Oral History Collection
Provider Genre Archival item identifier
  • WG_764
Fonds title Fonds identifier Is referenced by Date digitized
  • November 9, 2007
Technical note
  • Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 56 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 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 Walls_G_0764_01.mp3