In 2004 at age 79, Isobel Mooney (née Martin) looks back on her adventures as an 18 year old "prairie girl" from Winnipeg in a top-secret post in RCAF Bomber Operations, Halifax during the final months of World War 2.
Publisher
Produced and recorded by Val Klassen, edited by John Coutanche
Convoys in and out of Halifax transferring troops in preparation for D Day. On May 8, 1945, VE Day, Isobel watches from her second floor room at the Waverley on Barrington Street as people riot in the streets. In the harbour, troop ships arrive carrying the victorious survivors, and UBoats surrender. By VJ Day, more than half the staff have been shipped home. Isobel stays on to document the war for the official record. Her Mom needs her to come home. Back in Winnipeg, ...
8 Apr 2020
Cpl. Martin
A Met course in Ottawa is derailed by a case of strep throat. Sick leave at home in Winnipeg. Returning to Halifax, Isobel is promoted to Corporal and moved to a fancy new barracks.
18 Mar 2020
Happy New Year 1945 in New York City !! and a hitchhiking adventure
Isobel (age 19) and her friend, Hoagie, are serving in the RCAF (Women's Division) in Halifax near the end of World War II. They decide to go to New York to celebrate the New Year, 1945. Later that year, Isobel and her friend, Clarkie, hitchhike to Saint John, New Brunswick.
10 Mar 2020
Two Hundred Women, Four Thousand Men
An endless parade of men going overseas. Fogged in, nothing to do, Isobel earns a reputation as a reader of tea leaves. New Year's in Sydney. Marching on cobblestones in the Victory Bond parade. Meeting dates at Waverley House.
2 Mar 2020
Work Hard, Play Hard
Demanding and stressful work in Bomber Ops. The daily pressure was intense, and could not be shared with friends. Jitterbug contests, often with live music, were a fun escape, and sometimes you'd win cigarettes! A very sad Christmas Eve. And more dancing.
24 Feb 2020
Hard to Keep Your Mouth Shut
Isobel's job in Bomber Ops, Halifax is top secret, which is sometimes very difficult to live with.
17 Feb 2020
Reporting for work in Bomber Ops
"Like you see in the movies": Isobel describes her new job in Bomber Ops, Halifax.
20 Jan 2020
Arriving in Halifax
Isobel has three days off in Halifax before reporting for work in Bomber Ops, but it is not all relaxation!
17 Jan 2020
Manning Depot and Posting to Halifax
Just barely 18, Isobel learns the ropes at Manning Depot in Ottawa.
10 Jan 2020
Signing Up
Not quite 18, Isobel tries to sign up for service in the RCAF, WW2...
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