Dunlap, Clarence R.: my Air Force recollections (May 6 - October 28, 1980)

ABSTRACT: Air Marshal Clarence R. Dunlap, C.B.E. Royal Canadian Air Force (Reel 8, Side 1, interviewed by W. S. Thackray) Attended an anti-gas course, visiting munitions factories. New, automated armament machinery purchased in Germany. Helped develop new practice bomb for the RCAF. Shortage of funds in the RCAF, some aircraft had to be grounded. Comments on various aircraft including a few modern machines - Hawker Hurricane for one. Canadian air defences in 1939; both West and East Coast air bases. Returns to account of marriage in England, which he did without Air Force permission, being only an acting flight lieutenant. Penalized with the loss of one year's seniority. Upon return to Canada joined headquarters staff as an armament advisor to the Air Staff. Commanded the guard at Rideau Hall during the visit of the King and Queen in 1939. (90:00) (Reel 8, Side 2) Social life at the RCAF Mess, Rockcliffe. Vigorous efforts by the RCAF were required in order to prepare for war. Warning orders sent to bases in late August, 1939. Aircraft moved from Central Canada to both coasts. Auxiliary squadrons. Flying clubs did much elementary flying training. Early plans for the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP). At air force headquarters at the outbreak of war. Comments on aircraft procurement from the United States. (90:00) (Reel 9, Side 1) Armament Officers in relatively short supply but was able to expand his staff to some degree. Besides the requirement for new equipment, bombing and gunnery ranges had to be established. Comments on Americans enlisting in the RCAF. Armament equipment sometimes difficult to obtain, sometimes due to an aversion to spend large amounts of money! Describes some weird war-time inventions offered to the government. Problems reaching final agreement on the BCATP, division of costs, etc. (95:00) (Reel 9, Side 2) Canadians insisted that Canadian units be formed overseas. BCAPT agreement finally approved. Pressure had to be brought to bear to improve "Canadianization" overseas. Comments on senior officers and the work of the Armament Directorate. Left Air Force headquarters in January, 1942. (90:00) (Reel 10, Side 1) Defence of the aluminum plant at Arvida, Quebec - a priority, thus the air base at Bagotville. Describes new bomb-sights; the Sperry Gyroscope and the Norden model. These effectively incorporated such variables as wind, air and ground speeds, distance (through triangulation). Commands the Air Armament School and the Bombing and Gunnery School at Mountain View, Ont. Aircraft maintenance and support services required "around the clock". Camera gun training. (95:00) (Reel 10, Side 2) Anecdotes. British prizes for early flights. Comments on Mountain View, defence of the West Coast, Wings parades, inspections. Complimentary about the Women's Division (RCAF(WD)), a very useful addition. Cases of lack of air discipline. In August, 1942, was posted overseas - Ferry Command to England. (95:00) (Reel 11, Side 1) Speech to the Convention of Aviation Museum Curators in Ottawa, June, 1980. First flights, early history, Canadian Air Force. (95:00) (Reel 11, Side 2) Atlantic flights, Snyder races, development of the Supermarine Spitfire. Arrived overseas at Prestwick, Scotland, reported to RCAF headquarters in London. Makes the point that RCAF squadrons overseas had a large component of RAF ground-crew. Eventually the Canadians were able to provide nearly all ground/station personnel. Early days of the formation of No. 6 Bomber Group. Comments on equipment, some officers. Appointed commanding officer of the base at Leaming. (90:00) (Reel 12, Side 1) On Jan. 1, 1943, No. 6 Bomber Group came into being. Much training still required. Relations with Bomber Command. The base at Leaming had a satellite station at Skipton. Originally Leaming had one squadron of Handley Page Halifaxes (No. 408) and a heavy conversion unit. Duties at an operational station, attitude of air-crew and of senior officers. Believes that the latter should have operational experience. Flew as a co-pilot on an operation. Station routine, bombing-up, briefing air-crew, mining operations, station defences. Discusses operations, visitors to the station. (95:00) (Reel 12, Side 2) Operational air-crews, 1943. The initiation of the "Window" anti-radar system, - pieces of aluminum dropped to confuse the enemy radar. In 1943 appointed to command the new 331 Wing RCAF (Vickers Wellington Mk. X bombers) in North Africa, the first truly all-Canadian Wing. Issued new, desert-modified aircraft. Despite the careful selection of personnel, morale tended to suffer because of the heat (110 degrees F), poor food, illness, flies, etc. Discusses the role of the padres. Hepatitis broke out among the air-crew. Explains difficulties in establishing air fields in Tunisia. Finally built for them by the U.S. Army Engineers after the Wing staff had laid out the runways, roads, building sites. (95:00) (Reel 13, Side 1) Recap. of the posting of 331 Wing to North Africa. Air Field "built" in the desert in 48 hours. Ready for operations June 24, 1943. Undertook continuous bombing of Sicily. High temperatures had a poor effect on both men and machines. Food and quarters poor, sickness. (95:00) (Reel 13, Side 2) Navigational problems, targets, aircraft maintenance difficult. Virtually continuous operational flying, therefore air-crew tours rapidly expired. As C.O., Dunlap was required to keep "Canadianization" in mind but had to use British and Commonwealth air-crews due to casualties and expired tours. Thus was not popular at RCAF headquarters. Water supply a problem, both short and very poor quality. Comments on Mediterranean Air Force headquarters. Some problems with the satellite airfield. Extreme heat in petrol and bomb dumps. (95:00) (Reel 14, Side 1) No. 331 Wing operations. Comments on Maj-Gen. James Doolittle, U.S. Army Air Corps. Acquired early model Hawker Hurricane as personal aircraft. Wing disbanded and ordered to England, via Algiers. Appointed to command No. 139 Wing RAF at Dunsfold, Surrey, part of No. 2 Group, 2nd Tactical Air Force. Equipped with North American Mitchell bombers (B-24's). Immediately flew operational flights. Heavy flak caused many casualties. Made accurate attacks on flying bomb sites. Some special equipment provided so night bombing could be undertaken. Describes Dutch squadron in 139 Wing. (95:00) (Note: No Side 2)

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