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Flight Training
Mr. Spear recalls his flight training in Windsor Mills, Quebec, (near Sherbrooke) and Dunnville, Ontario, (near Lake Erie) ending with him earning his wings.
Operational Flight Training - The Spitfire
Mr. Spear describes being posted to an operational training unit in South Wales, England, and recalls his orientation to the English countryside as well as his first Spitfire flight.
First Enemy Contact
Mr. Spear describes his first contact with enemy aircraft and air to air combat.
Engine Failure: Down Behind Enemy Lines
Mr. Spear recalls the ill fate he met with after turning down leave because he felt he hadn't accomplished anything yet, and volunteered for a mission.
Captured!
Mr. Spear recollects being picked up by German soldiers after a belly landing in the desert, and being turned over to the Italians to be interned.
Life as a POW: Sulmona, Italy
Mr. Spear recalls life as a POW, describing the camp at Sulmona, Italy and how the availability of Red Cross parcels greatly affected the POWs diet.
POW Escape Attempts
Mr. Spear describes attempts made to escape from the POW camp in Sulmona, Italy.
Escape From Sulmona
Mr. Spear recalls when the Italians capitulated, how the Canadian POW's in the Sulmona camp escaped in small groups as the rest of the POW's, who had congregated together to march south, were recaptured by Germans.
Return to Duty
Mr. Spear recalls returning to duty after escaping the Sulmona, Italy POW camp. He explains the reason he was not returned to active duty.
Bombing and Gunnery School, Staff Pilot
Mr. Spear describes being posted to a bombing and gunnery school in Mountain View, Ontario as a staff pilot.
Assessment of RCAF Contribution to Victory
Mr. Spear reflects on the RCAF's contribution to the Allied victory.
Not All Could Serve
Mr. Spear reflects on his impressions of individual's contributions to the War effort; specifically, how it took him some time to understand and appreciate that for various reasons, not everyone could contribute as directly as he and other troops did.
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