Always afraid while flying

Heroes Remember

Always afraid while flying

Transcript

I never got shot, bullet shot, got shot at a lot, like in Pentalaria, we were sent there from, where was it, Malta because there was some supply ships coming in to Tobrook. I think they threw everything at us. I was absolutely terrified; not as bad as one New Zealander I knew who couldn't let go of the navigation table, that's sick but I was terrified – scared stiff. I didn't want to die. Who does? Not every day, it's a different, it's boredom or scary, boredom or scared. You're never even-steven.

Description

Mr. Campbell describes being constantly afraid while in the air.

William Campbell

William Campbell was born on March 14, 1920 in Almont, Ontario. His father was a First World War veteran, and his brother had enlisted when World War Two broke out. Mr. Campbell enlisted in the Haldeman Rifles, but after not being called up he switched to the Air Force. After training in Canada, he went to England and joined a Blenheim crew. Mr. Campbell was deployed to Middle East Command, where he took part in successful bombing raids against Rommel's fuel and ammunition stores. He was then sent to the Far East to participate in the bombing runs to Burma and China. Mr. Campbell was fortunate to survive a crash landing after an engine failure. While still stationed in India he also instructed American pilots in low-level bombing techniques.

Meta Data

Medium:: Video
Owner:: Veterans Affairs Canada
Duration:: 1:01
Person Interviewed:: William Campbell
War, Conflict or Mission:: Second World War
Battle/Campaign:: North Africa
Branch:: Air Force
Units/Ship:: 159 Squadron
Rank:: Sergeant
Occupation:: Navigator

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Training profile

Mr. Campbell describes the various aspects of his Canadian training which led him to become an air observer in the Air Force.

Air combat expensive

Mr. Campbell discusses the economic impact of keeping just one bomber in the air.

Blowing Rommel's ammo dumps

Mr. Campbell describes re-equipping his Blenheim for low level attack, after which his crew is assigned the task of blowing up Rommel's ammunition dumps in Derna, Libya. The mission is successful.

No rest for the weary

Mr. Campbell describes being sent from Egypt to the Burma theater to assist the Americans against the Japanese. After arriving in Rangoon, and with no rest, he immediately goes on a bombing run to Singapore. After returning to Rangoon, and still not having rested, his crew is sent to a safer airfield in Lashio, Burma. Finally, after a stiff tot of rum, he sleeps around the clock.

Political instability and fear

Mr. Campbell describes feeling uneasy due to the anti-British sentiments prevalent in India. When his aircraft is forced to crash land he and his crew mates decide to take drastic measures if threatened by the locals.

Low level bombing instruction

Mr. Campbell describes volunteering to teach American pilots low-level flying after a US Liberator squadron is decimated by the Japanese air force. He then describes his pilot being offered a Victoria Cross in exchange for his (and his crew's) life.

Date modified:: 2019-06-20