My big brother Bob was inducted into an Armed Forces Hall of Fame in Ottawa last weekend.
He has mixed feelings about being singled out but since he doesn't read my blog it's probably safe to recount the tale.
He was an RCAF pilot stationed in England during world War Two and he flew a Lancaster, the biggest of the bomber aircraft.
It was expected that there would be a forty-percent loss of life in the squadron.
Bob's main worry was to conceal from his crew that he was the youngest one of them by quite a few years.
On his 34th mission he was flying over Germany when his plane was attacked and seriously damaged with some explosives still on board.
Fire broke out in the cabin and he ordered his crew to leave; they parachuted out, one by one.
Bob stayed with the plane until it had safely passed over a town and then he jumped, and by this time his uniform was starting to burn.
That was the moment he remembered his chute was due for inspection but it did its job.
He spent a rainy night sleeping in a field and next morning he cautiously approached an old farmer heading to a nearby barn. Once the farmer grasped that Bob was from the downed ship he took him home and fed him, then proudly marched him around to show him off to the neighbors and finally he was turned over to the authorities where his burns were treated.
He was relieved to learn he was in neutral Sweden and was reunited with is crew. A month later he was returned to England and later was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross.
Bob was 21 years old at the time.
What can you possibly do to top that?
Well, two years later he married a Canadian WAAC in England after just six dates and they just celebrated their sixtieth anniversary.
2 comments:
I'm glad you mentioned his age. It's incredible to think of how much responsibility he took on at such a young age. And it helps me remember how many wars are fought by children. Your brother's story is one I still recount with pride.
As a fellow WW-II veteran here in the U.S. I aspplaud your service and bravery. Many Americans volunteered for the R.A.F. and some sacrificed their lives, not ever knowing that America would even be involved. I wish we could lstill maintain this kind of neighborly love and respect today....but, sadly, many Canadians and Americans have come to disaagreement.
Post a Comment