Shooting At Enemy Planes

Heroes Remember

Shooting At Enemy Planes

Transcript

I was walking along and this German plane, fighter plane, come by and he was way, way down low, and he had this, what do you call that thing on his, in the cockpit, like, you know, he had it back and he was, as if he was going on a Sunday drive, or something. And he was going fairly slow, so I figured I'd take a shot at him with my rifle. And I must have come damn close, because he come zipping right back and I hid there for about 15 minutes like he circled around and that trying to see where, I guess, where it come from, so that made me a little happier. But then, since that, I done that twice. I done it another place just outside of Dieppe, but I was drinking that day, and I did the same thing but I... was a great big tree, and he circled around about four times, and I was... Every time he'd circle, I'd circle, like, the tree, like, you know, and I figured I was safe, at that. I think it was a big oak tree. But, they... At both times, I must have come close, because they wouldn't, you know... because there's, there's no way that they'd know that it, it went by them, unless... It might even hit the plane. I don't know. But I took aim like they used to tell you, like, you know, shoot ahead, but this, this... Both of them weren't, I think they were just looking around to see, you know, the buildup of stuff, and stuff like that. But that made me..., but in that... Since that, I've been thinking that, that's how foolish I was. Not for me, but I could have had other people killed, you know. They, they could just turn around and, and figure that was them, you know, that shot at them and, and then fire on them.

Description

Mr. Loranger talks about a dangerous way to relax; shooting at enemy fighters.

Paul Loranger

Mr. Loranger was born in Seseninika, Ontario in 1927. His family later moved to Englehart, Ontario, where his father was employed with the Canadian National Railway, and they were able to ride out the depression in relative comfort. Mr. Loranger joined the army at age 16, became disillusioned when denied entry into the paratroopers, quit, and then re-enlisted. Once in England, however, he joined the Calgary Highlanders, and was quickly sent to France. There, he was involved in driving out remnants of the German Army. He was recalled to England when his age was discovered, and eventually sent home to Canada. He worked for the CNR until his retirement. Mr. Loranger now resides in Harriston, Ontario.

Meta Data

Medium:: Video
Owner:: Veterans Affairs Canada
Duration:: 2:00
Person Interviewed:: Paul Loranger
War, Conflict or Mission:: Second World War
Location/Theatre:: France
Battle/Campaign:: Normandy
Branch:: Army
Units/Ship:: Calgary Highlanders, 5th Brigade
Rank:: Private
Occupation:: Infantry

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Shooting At Enemy Planes

Heroes Remember