Problems in the Bombing Stream

Heroes Remember

Problems in the Bombing Stream

Transcript

On one occasion, we were part of the early bombing group. We were the first wave and the winds were quite, they were more favourable than what we anticipated and so we were actually gaining on the time. We should have cut back our speed a bit and didn't and the bomb aimer was all set to drop the bombs and the master bomber did not put down the correct signal. The signals weren't on the ground. The bomb aimer was waiting for the flares to come up and just as his time went by the flares ignited, but it was too late for him to hit his button He could have, in most cases if he had ever thought it through, you would have dropped the load rather than you were too late. You wouldn't say you were too late. You'd be just extending the bombing area. So we decided that we would go around again. It's humourous when you think of it because you didn't want to do that first run. So why would you do anything to necessitate a second run. So in order to get out now there's anywhere from 400 to 1000 air craft in this stream coming through this target area and you're somewhere in the front of it. So you have to get out of that stream without hitting anybody and being hit by anybody and without somebody else shooting you because that was a problem. So gradually you would move over, move over, move over until you were able to turn around and go back, but this is all time and the attack is only going to last 28 minutes and that's from the first to the last of these 800 bombers through there. So you have to move over a bit, move over a bit, move over a bit until probably two minutes have gone by before you actually even turn back. Then you have to go back to the other side of the target area to get back into the stream. So that's another three to four minutes. Now you're five minutes, seven minutes gone. By the time you get back around in the stream, because again you can't dive across you have to edge your way back in and then do the target and drop your bombs and get out. You're going to be lucky if you have anybody else behind you. You're probably going to be one of the last people along so your next problem, the night fighters are looking for the stragglers.

Description

Mr. Campbell describes how missing your bomb drop meant exiting and re-entering the bomber stream for a second try, and how dangerous this could be.

John Campbell

John Campbell was born in October, 1923 in Coleman, Alberta. He was the younger of two brothers. His father was a coal miner and Mr. Campbell credits the mine’s support of the local school for his good education. Following the death of both his parents, he went into the mine. Because of the diverse ethnic mix in Coleman, the onset of war saw many miners return home to serve in their respective forces. He enlisted in 1942, joining the Air Force and becoming a bomber pilot. He finished his full complement of thirty-two missions with the same crew. After the war he remained in the Air Force and was a first responder on the DEW Line.

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