The crew of the Liberator
Heroes Remember
The crew of the Liberator
Transcript
Description
Mr. Moore talks about the Liberator and the crew assignments for her. He also talks about why the Liberator was used in addition to the other well-known RAF aircraft (Halifax's, Sunderlands, Lancasters).
Ken Moore
Born in Rock Haven, Saskatchewan, Ken Moore was the youngest of eight children. His father died when he was very young and his mother raised the family on her own. After graduating from highschool, he hitchhiked to Vancouver, BC and joined the Air Force. During the war, he piloted 61 missions, in Liberators, on coastal escort duties and submarine patrols. During one such mission, his crew sank two U-boats in 22 minutes. Because of this act he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and the Silver Star (by the US).
Meta Data
- Medium:
- Video
- Owner:
- Veterans Affairs Canada
- Duration:
- 01:56
- Person Interviewed:
- Ken Moore
- War, Conflict or Mission:
- Second World War
- Location/Theatre:
- Europe
- Branch:
- Air Force
- Units/Ship:
- 224 Squadron
- Occupation:
- Pilot
Related Videos
Air Training and Liberators
Mr. Moore talks about his training and how he ended up flying Liberators for 61 missions.
Convoy escort duties
Mr. Moore talks about how sturdy the plane was, and the evolving role of the Liberator, from long range to shorter convoy escort duties.
Two U-boats sank on same sortie
Mr. Moore tells how he and his crew detected and sank two U-boats in 22 minutes. He also talks about how some of his flying techniques may have helped them (when three other crews were lost).
Attacking submarines
Mr. Moore describes how low he would fly on a surface attack on a submarine and how depth charges and acoustic and magnetic homing torpedos were used.
Leadership
Mr. Moore became a leader at the young age of eighteen. He expresses his thoughts about leadership, a big part being consideration for other people and knowing your people.
Taking on two destroyers (Part 1 of 2)
Mr. Moore describes how his crew always stuck together on a night out. He then describes a particularly close call in attacking a submarine being flanked by two destroyers.
Taking on two destroyers ( Part 2 of 2)
Mr. Moore continues his story, with great emotion, desrcibing how difficult it was splitting up the crew, because of how close they had become.
Prairie pride
Mr. Moore talks about how his Prairie background helped instill a sense of do-it-yourself behaviour, and the values that came from that.
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