Welcome to the Death Sentence
Heroes Remember
Welcome to the Death Sentence
Transcript
Description
Mr. Taschuk recalls his welcome to Bomber Command being a shocking one. He also describes how necessary it was to learn to control ones own terror.
Neil Taschuk
Mr. Taschuk was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. His father, a Russian immigrant, fought for Canada in the First World War. Mr. Taschuk joined the air force along with many others from the community, and was sent overseas as soon as he had earned his wireless air gunner (WAG) wings. He was assigned to a Lancaster in Bomber Command's 434 Squadron. Given the casualty rate at the time, it was a near death sentence. Against huge odds and having experienced numerous near misses, he and the rest of his crew were one of few in bomber command who were never injured in any action, training, or other mishaps.
Meta Data
- Medium:
- Video
- Owner:
- Veterans Affairs Canada
- Duration:
- 04:27
- Person Interviewed:
- Neil Taschuk
- War, Conflict or Mission:
- Second World War
- Branch:
- Air Force
- Units/Ship:
- 434 Squadron
- Occupation:
- Wireless Air Gunner
Related Videos
Controlled Terror
Mr. Taschuk recalls a bombing run over Germany, during a particularly dark night, when the light from an explosion revealed how close they’d come to having a collision.
Climbing an Invisible Ladder
Mr. Taschuk recalls seeing a Lancaster accidentally drop their payload on another Lancaster directly below them, and seeing the bomb aimer fall from the damaged plane.
Terrifying Fly Along
Mr. Taschuk recalls an interrogation officer being terrified during a fly along on a bombing run over Germany.
A Plane With No Propellers!
Mr. Taschuk recalls his first encounter with a jet - the German Me-262.
Radar and Flak
Mr. Taschuk explains how the incredible German radar made their flak fire very accurate and dangerous.
Pictures - Flying Through Flak
Mr. Taschuk explains how he was able to take pictures while on missions. He then recalls an instance of flying through a barrage of flak, displaying a picture he took of the hole the Lancaster left in the smoke.
Kick the Bomb Away From the Plane
Mr. Taschuk recalls having to manually release a bomb stuck in the bay, and watching it fall through flak.
Jamming German Signals
Mr. Taschuk describes how engine noise was used to jam German transmissions.
German Civilians More Dangerous Than Soldiers
Mr. Taschuk describes how a Lancaster bomber, who bailed out over the German countryside, had to be saved from a mob of civilians by soldiers at a nearby.
Bomb the Target, No Matter the Target
Mr. Taschuk explains why he didn’t think too much of the bombing targets they were assigned, and recalls a mission targeting a civilian mining town.
Young, Stupid and Invincible
Mr. Taschuk explains why only young men were assigned to Bomber Command, and recalls how callous and self-centred crews would become.
Love the Lancaster
Mr. Taschuk explains why the Lancaster remains his favourite wartime aircraft, recalling some stories highlighting its capabilities.
- Date modified: