Men who Didn't Have a Chance...
Heroes Remember
Men who Didn't Have a Chance...
Transcript
Description
Mr. Warren reflects on his good fortune to have survived the war and offers a poignant in memoriam for those who weren't so fortunate.
Douglas Warren
Douglas Warren was born on May 28, 1922 in Nanton, Alberta. His father, a farmer, was an isolationist emigrant from the United States. One of four children, Mr. Warren had an identical twin brother with whom he was very close. They had always wanted to fly, and enlisted in the Air Force in 1940. Mr. Warren completed his pilot training in High River, Alberta. Once overseas, he joined #165 Spitfire Squadron in Ayr, Scotland, and was involved in the air battle during the Dieppe Raid, as well as later flying cover on bombing raids. He then joined #66 Squadron at Falaise, France, flying the new SpitfireMK9B in ground attack operations. Mr. Warren was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. After the war, Mr. Warren's exemplary career continued after permanently joining the RCAF. He became Fighter Leader for Canada's Meteor Jet Squadron, served in the Korean War, was a NATO pilot instructor in Germany, and served time with NORAD. Mr. Warren eventually became Assistant Base Commander at Comox from where he retired with the rank of Wing Commander.
Meta Data
- Medium:
- Video
- Owner:
- Veterans Affairs Canada
- Recorded:
- May 7, 1999
- Duration:
- 1:07
- Person Interviewed:
- Douglas Warren
- War, Conflict or Mission:
- Second World War
- Branch:
- Air Force
- Units/Ship:
- 166 Squadron
- Rank:
- Wing Commander
- Occupation:
- Pilot
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Mistaken Identity
Mr. Warren, who enlisted with his identical twin brother, describes an ironic situation which occurs while training in a Link Trainer at High River, Alberta. Mr. Warren's twin is having trouble in this machine, and unbeknown to the instructor, they trade places. Ironically, the marks Mr. Warren gets for his brother are higher than his own.
Aircraft Shortages at Flying School
Mr. Warren describes a shortage of Anson aircraft at Elementary Flying School in High River Alberta. His tongue-in-cheek sense is that more value was placed on recovering the wheels from a downed aircraft than on its pilot. Later, at RAF flying school in Medicine Hat, he retrains in a single engine Harvard which eventually leads him to becoming a fighter pilot.
Air Cover at Dieppe
Mr. Warren discusses the air battle over Dieppe, and the deterrent effect of Allied fighters. He goes on to cite the number of aircraft lost, and explains the discrepancy between claimed and verified German losses on that day.
Value of his Ground Crew
Mr. Warren discusses the importance of his ground crew, and his sense that they were responsible for his safely completing his tour of duty.
Fuel was Critical
Mr. Warren describes several of his combat tasks; sweeps (searching for targets of opportunity), dogfighting and bomber escort. The length of these missions was short due to the Spitfire's small fuel capacity and high consumption rate.
The Spitfire was A Poor Night Fighter
Mr. Warren is in one of three squadrons trained for night fighting. He describes being nearly blinded by flames from his Spitfire's exhaust ports, which made takeoff and landing very difficult.
The New Spitfire 9
Mr. Warren receives a newer Spitfire 9 fighter which is the equal of German fighter aircraft. The new Spitfire can fly at much higher altitude, and with its auxiliary fuel tanks, has a much greater combat range.
Radar Operated Rear Turret - Testing
Mr. Warren becomes involved in the testing of a new radar operated gun in a rear bomber turret. His role is to act as the enemy fighter while tests are run on the new radar's accuracy. Mr. Warren is impressed by how well the new technology works.
Radar Operated Rear Turret – Fatal Flight
Mr. Warren is returning to base in formation with the radar equipped bomber, when the bomber suddenly drops its nose and plunges into a pasture, killing all aboard. Sadly, this was to have been the crew's last tour of duty.
Sweeps at the Falaise Gap
Mr. Warren pilots the modified Spitfire 9B, equipped for low level warfare. He describes, with regret, attacking German horse-drawn equipment, as well as the fact anything on the road was fair game. He expresses admiration for German motorcycle riders who were particularly vulnerable to air attack.
A Very Close Call
Mr. Warren's Spitfire is struck by shrapnel or ack-ack, leaving a hole in the cockpit and him with a numb leg. He jettisons his bombs and returns to base. Smelling something burning, his investigation finds a piece of molten metal in a tin box in his tunic pocket. During this clip, Mr. Warren also explains why Spitfire pilots seldom ejected if their plane was shot down.
Perspectives on Death and Danger
Mr. Warren differentiates between how ground and air forces might view targeting the enemy. He also compares the perspectives of ground and air forces in terms of proximity to the enemy.
Reunion with the Dutch Underground
Mr. Warren describes suppression bombing in the Scheldt designed to keep the Germans heads down while the Canadian army advanced. Years later, at a meeting in Holland, he is surprised to be confronted by a member of the World War Two Dutch Resistance who had been in the area at the time of the bombing.
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