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Assessment of RCAF Contribution to Victory

Mr. Spear reflects on the RCAF's contribution to the Allied victory.

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.

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.

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.

POW Escape Attempts

Mr. Spear describes attempts made to escape from the POW camp in Sulmona, Italy.

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.

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.

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.

First Enemy Contact

Mr. Spear describes his first contact with enemy aircraft and air to air combat.

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.

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.

Remembrance Train

Mr. McKiel describes his experience with the Remembrance Train.

Date modified:: 2019-02-19