Arnold Graham is a Canadian WW2 Veteran who was born December 12th 1925 in Lakefield Ontario Canada. Arnold was born into a farm family and was the youngest of 12 children, with 6 brothers, BDR. Wesley Graham, Royal Canadian Artillery, PTE. Theodore Graham, Canadian Fusiliers, PTE. Norman Graham, Canadian Infantry Corps, GNR. Beverly Graham, Royal Canadian Artillery, CPL. Allen Graham,Canadian Forestry Corps, PTE. Elmer Graham, Royal Canadian Armed Service Corps, Fl. Sgt. Arnold Graham, Royal Canadian Air Force.

Who all served overseas, and 4 sisters. His mother was named Claire and Father Isaiah Graham. Arnold Graham joined the Royal Canadian Air Force at the age of 17 in 1942. Arnold was shipped overseas in July 1944 and by the end of 1944 before his 19th birthday he was flying bombing missions as a Tail-Gunner and Mid/Upper Gunner. Arnold was attached to 433 Porcupine Bomber Squadron and engaged in 18 bombing sorties, mainly over Germany. A “sortie” mission would take around 9 hours to fully complete, Arnold’s position in the plane was very cold and in quite compact quarters. Arnold describes an interview with Zach Dunn in November 2021, after some missions the crew members had to pull him out of the gunner position as his legs were frozen.

On March 31, 1945 on Op 208 – Hamburg, a 500-bomber raid, set out with Mustang fighter escorts for the first time. F/Sgt Graham, manning the Mid/Upper Gun, was credited with shooting down an Me 262 Schwalbe (Swallow); the first German jet aircraft which had attacked 16 times in 9 minutes. He was the first Canadian Gunner to do so and also recorded the only kill for their Lancaster.

Arnold returned home after the war to Lakefield Ontario reuniting with the brothers who survived the war. Arnold Graham was interviewed by Zach Dunn on November 27th 2021 at the age of 95. This story was interview #1 of Zach Dunn’s journey. Please enjoy his incredible story. For more information about Zach Dunn's Veteran project visit his website here: https://globalveteranstories.com/