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Sole Survivor Bomber Pilot Shot Down | WW2 Veteran Tells His Story! Bruce Clifton

War Whispers

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Bruce Clifton (Skipper) - Interviewed on 21st August 2003

Bruce Clifton served as a bomber command pilot with 57 Squadron during World War II. In this powerful interview, he recalls his early training, deployment to England, and flying dangerous missions over enemy territory. Bruce was the sole survivor of a tragic crash in Sweden that claimed the lives of his entire flight crew.

This story is a reminder of the high cost of war and the strength required to carry such memories.

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Intro
01:16 - Early Life
05:31 - Joining the Air Force
17:14 - Being accepted as a Pilot / Training
35:02 - Leave to America / UK
41:50 - Experiencing the London Blitz
52:45 - Bomber Training in the UK

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17 Comments

@jaseservos7634 4 days ago

Another Great Australian , Lest we forget.

@joereedsmith1531 1 year ago

I met a Pilot who flew with Bomber Command a few years ago, He was 99, I said see you next year and he looked up and said no you wont, and he was right.

PLT OFF LEONARD PENDRELL BENCE (1923 – 2022) worth looking up, had an amazing full life.

@entropyachieved750 1 year ago (edited)

I knew a metallurgist whom was in an English bomber crew during WW2 when he was very young and said he had the most terrific time during his months of service. He said every other night they partied like it was their last night. Alcohol, music and women. Nothing ever lived up to the sheer excitement and fear...He later moved to Australia and worked for BHP until retirement

@culturevulture3382 1 year ago

Glad to have heard part of Bruce Clifton's story.

@sf14031952 1 year ago

A very good interview , enjoyed it immensley.

@michaelmoore234 1 year ago

Thoroughly enjoyed your story ❤, a true real mans generation, never to be seen again!!
Thankyou for my freedom ..

@britgerus1956Glenn 1 year ago

Interviewers were pretty clueless, Bruce was great…

@redtobertshateshandles 1 year ago

A great Aussie.
An interesting few hours at 30 minutes at a time.
Thanks.

@Phillip-tw8qe 1 year ago

Amazingly fantastic memory and so descriptive, I felt like I was flying with Bruce's crew WW2, thanks for your stories 😊

@historybuffer3912 1 year ago

Great to hear Bruce's story. Whatever your feelings of bomber war I'm awestruck with admiration for the cool calm way these men faced awful death night after night.

@michaelkneale3825 1 year ago

Excellent. Would love to see all his photos and other information.

@johncaldwell-wq1hp 1 year ago

Hey !!-I live in Tasmania-& I'm a "Western-Bulldogs"-Fan !!-got the Rattle & Scarf !!-I used to work in a Brewery-in Rochdale England 1972--Our head Brewer-Mr.Jack-Allman was a Lanc.-Bomber pilot-During W.W.2-he did 40 missions over Germany-& was shot down twice-the last time-by his own Anti-Aircraft gunners-as he was coming into land-but survived !!-He was a real 'Old-School"Gentleman

@JamesDown-n1w 1 year ago

Your Subs are growing nicely

@caahacky 1 year ago

Great bloke and a fascinating account. Some very naive questions from the lady interviewer.

@Phillip-tw8qe 1 year ago

Is Bruce still with us?

@takeshigrape9866 1 year ago

Well, I live in Helsingborg. Wonder if the aircraft is the one that crashed in the Hamlet of Laröd just close by.

@theblytonian3906 1 year ago

1:22:40 No such thing as a the mythological "spoof". Long since debunked. They were real RAF aircraft exploding after colliding or having been hit by Flak or fighters. RAF Bomber Command HQ thought up and propagated the 'spoof' psyop amongst aircrew themselves to bolster morale.