Admiration and courage is what defined the men that flew in the Battle of Britain. ‘The Few' who seventy years ago fought off the German Luftwaffe and prevented a land invasion are still held in high esteem as part of the national identity and within popular culture. The depiction of Hurricane and Spitfires planes flying across the skies of southern Britain and the young, charismatic pilots who gave their lives speaks volumes of the magnanimity and congenial spirit of this special group. We correctly lionise the efforts of those young fighter pilots; yet so much recognition is neglected to those of Bomber Command. The toils and struggles of those in Lancaster bombers appear convoluted and depicted in fewer stories. The men of Bomber Command had the unenviable task of hitting German cities and military targets. The pilots, navigators, gunners became known as the ‘Men of Air’, not because of their long and perilous taxis, but because of the likelihood of dying in flight.
‘When we first arrived on 101 Sqn the intelligence officer told us: “You’re now on an operational squadron, your expectation of life is six weeks. Go back to your huts and make out your wills.” It was simply accepted that two out of three of us would be killed.’ Sgt Dennis Goodliffe.
The heroics in the Summer of 1940 lasted simply for several months, but the sorties of bombers hitting enemy targets continued throughout the war. The memorable story is of ‘The Dambusters’, hailed as a triumph by the ingenious Barnes Wallace and the daring Guy Gibson, yet much is neglected to the great loss of life in carrying out the raid. The bombing raids of the Second World War became notoriously horrific. The policy of ‘strategic bombing’ was in effect the targeting of major cities and civilians as well as war industries. The destruction in places like Rotterdam and Coventry by the Luftwaffe, and then Hamburg and Dresden by the Allies epitomise the death and colour of war. Air Chief Arthur ‘Bomber’ Harris told Churchill that to destroy Hitler it may cost between 400-500 Lancasters. The consequences of WW1 ultimately meant that this time that Nazi Germany would be brought to its knees.
In total, Bomber Command lost 55,000 men during the war and a further 10,000 were taken prisoner. These men, at an average of 22, brought needed retribution within the borders of Germany, and hope to those incarcerated within it. Their bodies’ were scattered across Europe and yet they have no memorial or lasting tribute. In rural Holland, I remember seeing on the grave of a British Airman:
‘A good life often too short, but a good name endureth forever.’
There was ‘The Few’ but of course there were many more.
‘When we first arrived on 101 Sqn the intelligence officer told us: “You’re now on an operational squadron, your expectation of life is six weeks. Go back to your huts and make out your wills.” It was simply accepted that two out of three of us would be killed.’ Sgt Dennis Goodliffe.
The heroics in the Summer of 1940 lasted simply for several months, but the sorties of bombers hitting enemy targets continued throughout the war. The memorable story is of ‘The Dambusters’, hailed as a triumph by the ingenious Barnes Wallace and the daring Guy Gibson, yet much is neglected to the great loss of life in carrying out the raid. The bombing raids of the Second World War became notoriously horrific. The policy of ‘strategic bombing’ was in effect the targeting of major cities and civilians as well as war industries. The destruction in places like Rotterdam and Coventry by the Luftwaffe, and then Hamburg and Dresden by the Allies epitomise the death and colour of war. Air Chief Arthur ‘Bomber’ Harris told Churchill that to destroy Hitler it may cost between 400-500 Lancasters. The consequences of WW1 ultimately meant that this time that Nazi Germany would be brought to its knees.
In total, Bomber Command lost 55,000 men during the war and a further 10,000 were taken prisoner. These men, at an average of 22, brought needed retribution within the borders of Germany, and hope to those incarcerated within it. Their bodies’ were scattered across Europe and yet they have no memorial or lasting tribute. In rural Holland, I remember seeing on the grave of a British Airman:
‘A good life often too short, but a good name endureth forever.’
There was ‘The Few’ but of course there were many more.
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