Denis John Earp
Bio
Denis John Earp always knew that he wanted to fly and this led him to apply for the very competitive enlistment process under the South African Air Force. He went through a very intense training program before going to Korea, a place about which he had never heard. He successfully flew many missions in the P-51 Mustang aircraft before being shot down and captured. He was considered a “reactionary” because he would refuse to cooperate with interrogations in both the North Korean and Chinese camps where he was imprisoned for 23 months. He is very proud of his service in the war and was able to revisit Korea in the 1986 where he received a lot of appreciation from the people he met.
Video Clips
Always Wanted to Fly
Denis John Earp always knew that he wanted to fly but understood the only way to afford learning would be to go through the military. He describes the competitive selection process. He explains the courses and exams he had to take over the course of two years.
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The Moment of Capture
Denis John Earp explains the moment when he was captured. He shares that up to that point, he had never been hit. He recalls how his plane was hit three times. He describes the emergency procedures he took as his plane lost altitude.
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"Lenient Policy"
Denis John Earp remembers that, upon capture, he was interrogated by Chinese soldiers. Knowing his rights under the Geneva Convention, He shares he knew his rights under the Geneva Convention and explains how he refused to answer some questions. He recalls how he was quickly informed by the Chinese about their “lenient policy” and soon was placed in a scary situation that was meant to force him to change his mind.
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Always Being Watched
Denis John Earp explains what it was like being transferred to a Chinese Camp from the North Korean Camp known as “Park’s Palace." He recalls how the prisoners, himself included, were constantly watched and how there were daily propaganda lectures. He details the unfortunate circumstances that occurred in the winter months for those who were injured.
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Park's Palace
Denis John Earp describes the conditions at Park’s Palace, a Prisoner of War (POW) camp in North Korea. He describes a cruel game they would play for the guards’ entertainment. He explains the interrogation tactics, including waterboarding, that were used to gather information.
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