Talkshow Thursday: Meet Chaz Powell

Talkshow Thursday: Meet Chaz Powell

Inspiration for Chaz Powell

Last week I introduced readers to the Allison White, one of two main characters in my soon-to-be-released novelette. This week I’m interviewing Chaz Powell, Allison’s former fiancé.

LM: Thanks for stopping by Chaz. Why don’t you tell us a bit about yourself?

Chaz: Well, there’s not a lot to tell. I was raised in Purley, outside of London. That’s where I met Allison. We attended the same church. I was smitten as soon as I saw her. Anyway, we started walking out together, but the war came and I was called up. Because I’ve always been fascinated with flight, I chose the RAF.

LM: Being a pilot seems rather glamorous, but I would imagine it’s hard work. What was your experience like?

Chaz: Being a pilot is far from glamorous. There is lots of training. Before I was even allowed in an aircraft I attended lectures, received vaccinations, learned how to march, salute, and lay out my kit. The lectures covered aircraft recognition, navigation, Morse code, and mathematics. I was also subjected to lots of physical training. But it was all worth it, because there is nothing like flying. There is nothing like the sensation of freedom after bumping along the runway.

LM: Which aircraft did you fly?

Chaz: I received my training in both fighters and bombers. I was assigned as a fighter pilot and flew both Hurricanes and Spitfires. Most of the lads liked the Hurri, but I much prefer the Spitfire.

LM: You veered off course and were shot down over Germany. How did that happen?

Chaz: During any air battle, there is a tremendous amount of smoke and fire in addition to the clouds. When my aircraft was hit, my instrumentation went haywire. I didn’t realize it wasn’t working properly until some of the cloud cover cleared and I didn’t recognize the landmarks below. Then I was hit again and because my ejector seat didn’t function properly, I went down with the plane.

German Nazi Resistance Flag

LM: You landed in Germany near the border of France. How were you able to get back to England?

Chaz: I was one of the lucky ones-I survived the crash. The farm where I landed belonged to a family involved in the Resistance. They used their network to spirit me into France and then across the channel into England. Many people risked their lives to transport me.

LM: Thanks for you stopping by, and thank you for your service during the war.

Wartime Wednesday: German Resistance

Wartime Wednesday: German Resistance

Unlike resistance groups from the Allied countries during WWII, there was no united, formal resistance movement within Germany. Opposition was carried out by individuals and small groups. Over the course of the war, nearly 75,000 people were executed for their part (real or imagined) in going against the Nazis. Opposition took many forms. Some was covert such as hiding Jews and other targeted populations or the publication of anti-Nazi leaflets and newspapers. Some was more obvious such as outspoken criticism of Hitler and various assassination attempts.

Adults were not the only individuals who were against the Nazi oppression. Youth of all ages participated in resistance as well. The White Rose group operated for a short time between 1942 and 1943. The group coordinated efforts on the University of Munich campus for civil rights and opposition to Nazi policies. A non-violent group, their activities were weekly discussion groups, painting “freedom” on brick walls, and distributing leaflets explaining their stand against the Nazis on moral and political grounds.

Founded by five students and their philosophy professor, they produced six pamphlets that were left in telephone books in public phone booths, mailed to professors and students, and taken to other universities for distribution. It is estimated that only one hundred or so of these leaflets were distributed.

The group was caught when the University’s custodian witnessed one of the members tossing leaflets from the top of one of the buildings on campus. They were arrested and questioned for four days. Their trial was swift and a token event. Declared guilty within moment of deliberation, the founders were executed a few days later.

White Rose members who were not caught hoped the executions would stir up further resistance, but to their dismay life at the university carried on as usual. The movement lost impetus and faded into obscurity. After the war, the group’s efforts were praised, but of course, by then it was too late.