Letter from Sergeant C H Chandler
Title
Letter from Sergeant C H Chandler
Description
Highlights two items about operation to Dusseldorf. Firstly the effect of 'G' and secondly the effect of adrenalin. Describes impressions on Dusseldorf trip. Goes on to describe reasons for his apprehension all during his first tour. Goes on to mention that information had been published in books and provides citations. Provides other contacts and citations.
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Language
Type
Format
Two page printed document
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This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Contributor
Identifier
MChandlerCH1608265-151002-01
Transcription
FROM 1608265 Sgt. CHANDLER. C. H.
There are two items not mentioned in the folders.
The effect of “G” was not known to me at the time of the DUSSELDORF incident and I was not aware that the reason I was not able to move at the time was acomplete [sic] mystery to me.
Also the effect of “ADRENALINE” was not appreciated.
On two occasions on the DUSSELDORF trip I had the feeling that everything was happening in ultra slow motion. (. in both cases it was the moment of absolute terror.) At the time of the initial explosion I knew that I was falling to the floor of the aircraft, but very slowly, at the same time I saw five tracer shells pass over the cockpit, again very slowly. During my fall I saw very clearly (in my minds eye) a telegram boy delivering a telegram to my Mother a telegram informing her of the death. All in very much time of less than a second.
The other occasion for the slow motion effect was when, standing next to the pilot, attempting to lower the undercarriage. When I realised that the undercarriage was not coming down again everything was ultra slow and I actually saw the blister by my position break away.
perspex
One other point I recall.
From the very beginning of my tour I was apprehensive for what I believe to be was for the following reason.
Whilst at St. Athens on the Engineers course with 30 trainees one person had a radio. On the news came the statement that 30 of our aircraft were missing. I thought thats [sic] the whole of this hut full of engineers in one night.
[page break]
Most of the information in these folders has been published in book form.
Book 1.
BOMBER SQUADRON – MEN WHO FLEW WITH XV. (Martin-Ford-Jones.
This book deals exclusively with my first Pilot Oliver Brooks, and the disaster at DUSSELDORF.
I am mentioned and as a result another Author contacted me and asked for my version of events.
This book is entitlrd [sic] “BOMBER COMMAND STORIES. . (MARTIN BOWMAN.
The chapter concerning me is en-titled “CHICKS CREW.”
Later I made contact with a Lt. Col. Mark Wells. U.S.A.F.
The interesting points of this book are that the front cover shows two crews, one of a Flying Fortress, with the authors Father as a crew member.
The other crew is of a Lancaster depicting our crew.
The un-named Veteran on page 202 is in fact myself.
The most comprehensive cover is the book on Wizernes. “WE WAGE WAR BY NIGHT”. by HOWARD SANDALL.
The last book covers the NUREMBURG RAID. “THE RED LINE.” by JOHN NICHOL. Several of my quotes are included
BOMBER SQUADRON – MEN WHO FLEW WITH XV. ISBN 0-7183-0659-7
BOMBER COMMAND STORIES. ISBN 1 85260 567 7.
COURAGE AND AIR WARFARE. ISBN. o-7146-4618-o
WE WAGE WAR BY NIGHT. ISBN 978-o-7643-3814-4. Chap. 1 NoParalell. [sic]
THE RED LINE. HB ISBN 978-0-oo-748683-o
There are two items not mentioned in the folders.
The effect of “G” was not known to me at the time of the DUSSELDORF incident and I was not aware that the reason I was not able to move at the time was acomplete [sic] mystery to me.
Also the effect of “ADRENALINE” was not appreciated.
On two occasions on the DUSSELDORF trip I had the feeling that everything was happening in ultra slow motion. (. in both cases it was the moment of absolute terror.) At the time of the initial explosion I knew that I was falling to the floor of the aircraft, but very slowly, at the same time I saw five tracer shells pass over the cockpit, again very slowly. During my fall I saw very clearly (in my minds eye) a telegram boy delivering a telegram to my Mother a telegram informing her of the death. All in very much time of less than a second.
The other occasion for the slow motion effect was when, standing next to the pilot, attempting to lower the undercarriage. When I realised that the undercarriage was not coming down again everything was ultra slow and I actually saw the blister by my position break away.
perspex
One other point I recall.
From the very beginning of my tour I was apprehensive for what I believe to be was for the following reason.
Whilst at St. Athens on the Engineers course with 30 trainees one person had a radio. On the news came the statement that 30 of our aircraft were missing. I thought thats [sic] the whole of this hut full of engineers in one night.
[page break]
Most of the information in these folders has been published in book form.
Book 1.
BOMBER SQUADRON – MEN WHO FLEW WITH XV. (Martin-Ford-Jones.
This book deals exclusively with my first Pilot Oliver Brooks, and the disaster at DUSSELDORF.
I am mentioned and as a result another Author contacted me and asked for my version of events.
This book is entitlrd [sic] “BOMBER COMMAND STORIES. . (MARTIN BOWMAN.
The chapter concerning me is en-titled “CHICKS CREW.”
Later I made contact with a Lt. Col. Mark Wells. U.S.A.F.
The interesting points of this book are that the front cover shows two crews, one of a Flying Fortress, with the authors Father as a crew member.
The other crew is of a Lancaster depicting our crew.
The un-named Veteran on page 202 is in fact myself.
The most comprehensive cover is the book on Wizernes. “WE WAGE WAR BY NIGHT”. by HOWARD SANDALL.
The last book covers the NUREMBURG RAID. “THE RED LINE.” by JOHN NICHOL. Several of my quotes are included
BOMBER SQUADRON – MEN WHO FLEW WITH XV. ISBN 0-7183-0659-7
BOMBER COMMAND STORIES. ISBN 1 85260 567 7.
COURAGE AND AIR WARFARE. ISBN. o-7146-4618-o
WE WAGE WAR BY NIGHT. ISBN 978-o-7643-3814-4. Chap. 1 NoParalell. [sic]
THE RED LINE. HB ISBN 978-0-oo-748683-o
Collection
Citation
C H Chandler, “Letter from Sergeant C H Chandler,” IBCC Digital Archive, accessed April 25, 2024, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/document/26312.
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