The things you learn about family, late in the game

[Let'sgoflying!]

Background:
Dad (88yrs, in BC Canada) and I chatted briefly tonight about my uncle (George - dad's brother in law, d. circa 1985).
Both aviators. Here is what dad wrote, after I sent him a link to photos from some of the Victory A/C factories in Canada. Never had anyone shared that my uncle 'flew cover on the French beaches during D-day'.
Wish I'd known him better.

slightly redacted emails:
Yes he did but like many young men after the war he only spoke of certain days that scared him, the last day was flying cover as the troops were landing on D day along the French coast; flack scared the hell out of them. I remember another funny thing that he said he did, was very embarrassing at Hamilton airport while training to fly a Tiger Moth they use to land, refuel and then take off immediately, one time some one yelled fire he jumped out of the airplane and as he ran he pulled his parachute. If you ever get down to Ottawa the Liberator on display at the at the Air Force museum is one of the several that he flew for he showed me his name in the log book. Love Dad

-----Original Message----- From: Dave Taylor
Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2014 7:25 PM
To: Alan Taylor
Subject: Re: Manufactured Victory > Vintage Wings of Canada

>That's right, I had forgotten. Did he see combat?


Alan Taylor wrote:
>
> I should have mentioned the Liberator is the only type of aircraft that your uncle George flew during the war. Dad

 

[Jthamilton]

That's cool! I just think its so sad that we're losing history every day. What they did and accomplished at their age will never be repeated and I hope we never have too!

I took care of a gentleman last month who did aircraft carrier landing operations during World War II.He just lit up as we talked. Apparently his ship managed the most landings during WWII as they were stationed off the gulf and was used mostly for training pilots. His favorite aircraft was the Corsair! I could have talked all day to him!

 

[eaglepilot]

I tried to interview a family friend who had flown Hawker Typhoons in the war, was shot down and was a POW for about 14 months. He would not talk about it, despite my encouragements. Found out parts of the story from others.

Many of the veterans will not talk about their experiences. That's history we'll never know.