Climbing an Invisible Ladder
Heroes Remember
Climbing an Invisible Ladder
Transcript
Description
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.
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:
- 01:47
- Person Interviewed:
- Neil Taschuk
- War, Conflict or Mission:
- Second World War
- Location/Theatre:
- Europe
- Branch:
- Air Force
- Units/Ship:
- 434 Squadron
- Occupation:
- Wireless Air Gunner
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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.
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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.
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