Met an interesting guy at the barber shop yesterday

While I was sitting there waiting I struck up a conversation with a old fellow. He had 39 missions as a tail gunner in a Halifax bomber (Commonwealth heavy 4 engine bomber from WWII). He said that of the 108 guys who went through school with him for being a tail gunner only 8 survived the war. He also said as the Halifax only had 1 pilot they were all trained to do one another's job.

He also had a 35 year career with the Vancouver Fire Dept. and figured he knew my uncle who was also a fireman after the war.

I have sent my uncle his phone number and address hopefully they have some shared history.

He also said that the flak was worse over the Ruhr than Berlin.

Always lucky to spend some time with one of the greatest generation.

KTK

 

The flak over Ruhr doesn't surprise me, but I'd expect it in a bit further,

Very interesting though especially the pilot thing.

 

Brave man, love to hear some of his memories.

 

Very cool! And to hear that he might have known one of your relatives is a cool thought. And I agree, it's always amazing to spend time with the people of the Greatest Generation.