Armed at all times
Heroes Remember
Armed at all times
Transcript
Description
Mr.Snell recalls having to be armed at all times while working on the planes, in case of an invasion on the airbase.
John “Jock” Snell
John Snell was born in Calgary, in April 1920. He was the middle child of three, having an older sister and a younger brother. Mr. Snell's family lived through the depression where they survived on $85.00 a month, which had to support their family of five. After struggling as a farmer Snell's father took a job as a milkman. Mr. Snell remembers helping his father on the milk route on Saturday's so his father could join his friends in a game of cricket. Mr. Snell dropped out of school only months before finishing and pursued a career as a radio repair technician, which little to his knowledge would pave the way for his career as an instrument mechanic in the air force. He quickly rose through the ranks of the air force and at the age of twenty he became a commanding officer in charge of over thirty five men. Mr. Snell retired from the air force in December 1969, with just over 30 years of service.
Meta Data
- Medium:
- Video
- Owner:
- Veterans Affairs Canada
- Duration:
- 1:31
- Person Interviewed:
- John “Jock” Snell
- War, Conflict or Mission:
- Second World War
- Battle/Campaign:
- Battle of Britain
- Branch:
- Air Force
- Units/Ship:
- 110 Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force
- Occupation:
- Instrument Mechanic
Related Videos
First Impressions
Mr. Snell talks about his first impressions of his RAF base in England.
Going overseas
Mr. Snell talks about going to the airbase in Rockcliff, and within three months being shipped overseas to England.
Arrival in England
Mr. Snell recalls his awareness of the invasion of the low countries in France and Dunkirk when he arrived in England.
Lysander Air plane
Mr.Snell discusses the Lysander Air plane.
Impending Invasion
Mr.Snell recalls how the ground crew were concerned that they were expected to defend the airbase if an invasion occurred.
Red Alert in Digby
Mr.Snell talks about being sent to Digby after the Battle of Britain and the roles the ground crew played to get the flight crews ready for missions while on Red Alert.
Lone bomber attack on the airbase
Mr. Snell recalls witnessing a lone bomber attacking his base on two occasions.
Offensive Strike
Mr. Snell talks about being rotated onto a base after Digby and recalls an offensive strike that occurred there.
405 Squadron
Mr. Snell describes basic duties of the ground crew, and the responsibility he had becoming a Sergeant at the age of 21.
Pathfinders
Mr. Snell talks about the pathfinders and the accomplishments of their missions.
Dangers of Bombing Operations
Mr. Snell talks about the 157 airplanes and 900 air crew lost in three years, and the danger of the bombing operations over Berlin.
D-Day reflections
Mr. Snell talks about what the atmosphere was like just prior to D-Day, and one of the big events for bomber command post D-Day.
Post War Reflections
Mr. Snell reflects on whether the war was worth the amount of lives lost, and the relationships between the crew.
Transportation on the airbase
Mr.Snell talks about how the air crew used bicycles for transportation around the base.
Night time take off for bombing operations
Mr. Snell reflects on the take off at night for bombing missions, and what the ground crew had to do if flight crews did not come back from these missions.
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