Message to Youth
Heroes Remember
Message to Youth
Transcript
Description
Mr. Spear passes on a message to youth, to appreciate all that they have and to enjoy their freedom.
Allen Maxwell Spear
Mr. Spear lived in Sussex, New Brunswick, before attending Business College in Saint John - he worked in Bathurst, New Brunswick, for a number of years before joining up. Mr. Spear had not enjoyed his Army camp experience in high school and was attracted to joining the Air Force, particularly as a fighter pilot, because of the recognition the Air Force was receiving in the Battle of Britain. He joined as soon as the Air Force lowered the education requirements to high school which allowed him to qualify. After much basic and initial flight training, Mr. Spear was excited to begin Spitfire training in England in fall 1941. In early 1942, he was stationed to North Africa. The camp locations changed often as the RAF and German Air Forces leapfrogged back and forth across the desert. A few months later (July 1, 1942), his engine gave out during a mission. He landed his plane behind German lines, was captured as a POW, and was shipped to Sulmona, Italy for internment. In September 1943, when the Italians capitulated, the POWs at the Sulmona camp escaped. Mr. Spear, along with two other Canadian POWs managed to escape by travelling along the mountains, avoiding the valleys where they were more likely to run into Germans, until they met up with other Canadian troops in November 1943. After being shipped back to England, Mr. Spear was returned to Canada to serve as a Staff Pilot at a Bombing and Gunnery School in Mountainview, Ontario. A post he held until the end of the War, at which time he was discharged.
Meta Data
- Medium:
- Video
- Owner:
- Veterans Affairs Canada
- Duration:
- 00:48
- Person Interviewed:
- Allen Maxwell Spear
- War, Conflict or Mission:
- Second World War
- Branch:
- Air Force
- Rank:
- Warrant Officer
- Occupation:
- Spitfire Pilot
Related Videos
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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