Sager, Arthur H.: my Air Force recollections (February 17, 2005)
Interviewer: Johnson, Gene M.
Rank: Squadron Leader.
An interview/narrative of Arthur H. Sager's experiences during World War II. Squadron Leader Sager served with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Interview took place on February 17, 2005.
ABSTRACT: Squadron Leader Arthur Hazelton Sager Norman Reid Pt 1.mp3 Squadron Leader Sager was born in Hazelton, "Middle name actually a mistake, " where his father had interned as a medical missionary. Both parents were English. Worked through university. Traveled to England to become an actor. Became a newspaper reporter. Interviewed a number of European refugees and this convinced him that, "although a staunch pacifist," the day for pacifism had passed. Attitudes of 1920s and 1930s youth quite different from today. "We were inculcated with the idea that war was evil... we were pacifists... we didn't scoff at [WWI] veterans" but didn't treat them appropriately. Youth today seems more thankful for the sacrifices of veterans. Was there a specific interview that influenced you? Refugee camp near Ramsgate and an interview with a young piano teacher, both shook him. Both were about six weeks before the war. His Cockney landlady also influenced him.... Why come back to Canada instead of joining the RAF. Only sure way to get into aircrew training.... Required a birth certificate. Mother refused to sign an affidavit concerning his birth unless he returned to Canada and join RCAF. Discusses training as a pilot. "Deliberately did poorly on" some subjects and did his best on the Link trainer in order to make certain he didn't become a navigator. What makes a good pilot? Completed training and shipped out to England in 1941. Stationed in South Wales. What type of emergency and survival training was provided? Discusses what happens to a Spitfire when ditched into the sea. Also briefed about what to do in the event of being shot down over occupied Europe.... Mentions that escape routes through Spain were already set up. Who to contact? "You were informed to stay clear of two categories... one was the clergy, the church; the other was the police.... You didn't ever contact well-to-do looking people." Aircrew were advised to approach "only the poorest. And then you were put into touch with the resistance." Knew two pilots who were captured. What was the Spitfire like? Comparison with the Hurricane. Spitfire "had feminine lines." Discusses the disadvantages of carburetion. Provides other information about the aircraft.... Problems with the Packard Merlin engine.... >>>After the Normandy invasion the Spitfire was used as a strafing aircraft. For ground attack, devised techniques to minimize risks. "Found some way to divert the attention of the ground gunners." Would divided the squadron into 3 and attack from different positions. Discusses reasons for becoming a fighter pilot.... Being a pacifist, he envisioned attacking only fellow fighter pilots who had an equal chance.... Esprit de Corps was absolutely essential. Everyone had a very important role to play.... "If they had the feeling that what they did was worthwhile" the whole team would benefit. Teamwork was important. Line Shoot. Memoirs that were originally taped for his blind sister. Talks about various things related to fatigue. Went sent back to Britain, primarily due to fatigue, he felt as if he were abandoning his squadron.... Describes a couple of emergencies... Came back to Canada. Assigned to Jericho as discharge officer. "One day... a cable came through; discharge A. H. Sager.... I discharged myself..." Some difficulty at reintegrating into civilian life. Went to university. President of U.B.C., Dr. Norman McKenzie, needed somebody to publicize U.B.C.'s veterans' education program.... Mr. Sager worked with Dr. McKenzie for two years. 9000 veterans were put through the program... Group Commanders would keep close vigil on their men and send them off if they became tired. How does this compare to Bomber Command and its use of such terms as Lack of Moral Fibre (LMF)?.... During WWII, no one knew much about psychiatric problems and stress. Different ways to handle different cases. Need to ensure the safety of the squadron. The term LMF was unjustified, but those in charge have to think about the team.
Interviewee: Sager, Arthur H.
- In Collection:
- 1 sound recording (MP3)
- 48.69096, 9.14062
- 52.16045, -0.70312
- Original recording (MP3) on compact disc (CD-R) in Special Collections.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- SAH_450
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/military-oral-history-collection
- February 17, 2005
- Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 128 kbps and 44 kHz. Digitized by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2005. 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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