Air combat expensive

Heroes Remember

Air combat expensive

Transcript

Well you have an expensive machine, varying costs, you have, we figured it cost fifty thousand dollars to train each of us. But a little wee Blenheim like that, you got three guys that's one hundred and fifty thousand for openers, not counting the airplane or the bombs or anything. We always figured that that's what it cost and I think we were low because it takes 14 guys to keep a guy in the air. So when you consider all your people, all your radio guys, your riggers and your fitters and all those guys, armorers, it's a lot of people. They're all, most of them non-commissioned, but they go right to W 01 and that's a... you have a fair investment, everybody, costs a lot of money.

Description

Mr. Campbell discusses the economic impact of keeping just one bomber in the air.

William Campbell

William Campbell was born on March 14, 1920 in Almont, Ontario. His father was a First World War veteran, and his brother had enlisted when World War Two broke out. Mr. Campbell enlisted in the Haldeman Rifles, but after not being called up he switched to the Air Force. After training in Canada, he went to England and joined a Blenheim crew. Mr. Campbell was deployed to Middle East Command, where he took part in successful bombing raids against Rommel's fuel and ammunition stores. He was then sent to the Far East to participate in the bombing runs to Burma and China. Mr. Campbell was fortunate to survive a crash landing after an engine failure. While still stationed in India he also instructed American pilots in low-level bombing techniques.

Meta Data

Medium:: Video
Owner:: Veterans Affairs Canada
Duration:: 1:24
Person Interviewed:: William Campbell
War, Conflict or Mission:: Second World War
Branch:: Air Force
Units/Ship:: 159 Squadron
Rank:: Sergeant
Occupation:: Navigator

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Training profile

Mr. Campbell describes the various aspects of his Canadian training which led him to become an air observer in the Air Force.

Blowing Rommel's ammo dumps

Mr. Campbell describes re-equipping his Blenheim for low level attack, after which his crew is assigned the task of blowing up Rommel's ammunition dumps in Derna, Libya. The mission is successful.

Always afraid while flying

Mr. Campbell describes being constantly afraid while in the air.

No rest for the weary

Mr. Campbell describes being sent from Egypt to the Burma theater to assist the Americans against the Japanese. After arriving in Rangoon, and with no rest, he immediately goes on a bombing run to Singapore. After returning to Rangoon, and still not having rested, his crew is sent to a safer airfield in Lashio, Burma. Finally, after a stiff tot of rum, he sleeps around the clock.

Political instability and fear

Mr. Campbell describes feeling uneasy due to the anti-British sentiments prevalent in India. When his aircraft is forced to crash land he and his crew mates decide to take drastic measures if threatened by the locals.

Low level bombing instruction

Mr. Campbell describes volunteering to teach American pilots low-level flying after a US Liberator squadron is decimated by the Japanese air force. He then describes his pilot being offered a Victoria Cross in exchange for his (and his crew's) life.

Date modified:: 2019-04-03