Witnessing Both Sides of War
Heroes Remember
Witnessing Both Sides of War
Transcript
Description
Mr. Carter-Edwards recounts experiencing both sides of the war - fighting the enemy and later being held as their prisoner in a concentration camp.
Ed Carter-Edwards
Edward (Ed) Carter-Edwards was born on April 2, 1923, in Montréal, Quebec, and was raised in Hamilton, Ontario. He enlisted in August 1942, and then joined 427 (Lion) Squadron, 6 Royal Canadian Air Force Group, in Leeming, England. He was a wireless operator air gunner and completed 21 successful missions in a Halifax bomber. On his 22nd mission, Mr. Carter-Edwards was shot down near Paris. He was betrayed to the Gestapo by a collaborator, threatened with execution and forced into the Fresnes prison, near Paris. He spent five weeks in the prison in 1944 followed by a five-day trip in a French cattle car to the notorious Buchenwald concentration camp. He was there for three and a half months as one of 26 Canadians - 168 allied airmen in all. He was forced to participate in two death marches shortly before the end of the war. Once released from service and safely back home, Mr. Carter-Edwards returned to Hamilton and worked at the appliance manufacturer Westinghouse. He was married in 1946, and he and his wife raised three children.
Meta Data
- Medium:
- Video
- Owner:
- Veterans Affairs Canada
- Recorded:
- June 25, 2012
- Duration:
- 1:27
- Person Interviewed:
- Ed Carter-Edwards
- War, Conflict or Mission:
- Second World War
- Location/Theatre:
- Japan
- Battle/Campaign:
- Bomber Command
- Branch:
- Air Force
- Units/Ship:
- 4th Medium Artillery Regiment
- Occupation:
- Wireless Air Gunner
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Reasons for Joining up
Mr. Carter-Edwards speaks about growing up quite secluded and hoped that the Air Force would help him break out of his shell.
Forming a Crew
Mr. Carter-Edwards describes his role as wireless air gunner and how they formed their crew.
Hazards In Flight
During flight operations on a target to Berlin, Mr. Carter-Edwards speaks about the very frightful experience he had exposed to constant attack from night fighters, anti-aircraft and the anxiety felt of mid-air collision.
Targets and Tinsel
Mr. Carter-Edwards talks about some of the different duties he had while on a mission; dropping tinsel in hopes of jamming the enemy’s radar, monitoring the radio for communications from base and jamming German radio communications.
Decision to Bail Out
After Germans ignited the aircraft, Mr. Carter-Edwards and the crew bail out and after a rough landing, he reunites with one of his crew.
Running for our Lives
Once on the ground, Mr. Carter-Edwards describes how he and his fellow crew member become separated. After a rough few nights fighting the elements, he seeks food and refuge from two french ladies he chance encounters.
Taken to a Safe Hiding House
After receiving assistance from a young couple, Mr. Carter-Edwards describes how he was provided with a new identity and began his journey through Paris to Spain.
En route to Paris by Car
En route to Spain, Mr. Carter-Edwards describes the brutal beatings he and three fellow airmen receive after being stopped at a checkpoint and accused of being spies and saboteurs.
Taken Prisoner by the Gestapo
Mr. Carter-Edwards speaks about the emotional trauma experienced after spotting the young couple in Fresnes Camp that had risked their lives for him.
A Murder in Cold Blood
Travelling five long days to another camp by cattle car, Mr. Carter-Edwards recalls an incident of cold blooded murder of a young french lad.
Entering Buchenwald Prison Camp
Mr. Carter-Edwards recalls witnessing the sights of buildings with smoke stacks, hearing the word “Buchenwald” and realizing their destination.
45,000 Walking Skeletons
Mr. Carter-Edwards describes the sights of poor men and women milling around this notorious slave labour camp being exposed to all the brutal elements and treatments of prisoner life.
Bombing over Buchenwald
While Americans drop bombs over the camp, Mr. Carter-Edwards stands among the devastation, watching as leaflets are dropped over the camp, reluctant to catch one in fear for his life.
Being Sick in Camp
While in the infirmary, Mr. Carter-Edwards witnesses the sick and dying prisoners all around him; the most horrific environment ever witnessed.
Closer to Freedom
Mr. Carter-Edwards credits a doctor who treated him at camp and a young Dutch record keeper who kept his name off a list for quarry duty with ultimately saving his life.
Roll Call Twice a Day
While guards counted slaves, Mr. Carter-Edwards describes the helplessness he felt and emotional impact experienced while stepping over the bodies of sick and dying prisoners unable to assist them.
Depths of Desperation
Surrounded by death, Mr. Carter-Edwards speaks about the feelings and belief he had of never getting out of Buchenwald alive.
Surviving to tell his Story
Mr. Carter-Edwards explains the difficulty he faced trying to tell his story about his time in the concentration camp.
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