Albert Ray Irvine as a member of 214 Squadron, No 100 (Bomber Support) Group, 1943-1944, and a prisoner of war in Germany, 1944-1945, interviewed by John Fincher.

Background, family and employment before joining the RAAF; he had initially applied to the AIF but was not accepted on medical grounds. In 1942 he went to Calgary, Canada, to be part of the Empire Air Training Scheme, and studied at the Gunnery School in Mossbank. Postings included Portis Du Perry, Patricia Bay, No 7 Air Observers School and Halifax. Was married in 1943 in Winnipeg. discusses his training in England - Waddington, Sherbourg and Oulton, flying Short Stirlings, Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses and being part of 214 Squadron. His missions involved jamming signals and restricting nightfighter activities. Discusses duties of the B17 crews and equipment and flight patterns. Describes being hit by anti-aircraft fire over Germany and landing in the Black Forest on March 14, 1945. Was captured by Germans, reunited with his Skipper and navigator and eventually taken to Stalag 5A.; describes conditions including dysentry and food. He and other prisoners were picked up near Munich by American 7th Armoured Division, taken to France and from there, the RAF took them in Lancasters to Gatwick, UK. Irvine returned to Canada in 1947 and remained there.
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