RAF history - repeat of "Bomber Boys" programme

Thank you chocolatepudding
Amazing programme extraordinary people.
Quite chilling in places.

nigglynellie I'm glad that your search found you found some closure.

I know my mother found talking about my father very difficult, right up to the end of her life, even though she had married again happily. I only had the barest details of him + photos, the rest I've found out on the internet and his Service Records after my mother and stepfather's deaths. I just a wanted to know who he was and what exactly happened to him - I felt I just had to know, and now I do, and have visited his grave I've been able to close the book which has been quite a relief.

All I know of him are photographs.
I watched the most recent of those programmes, it was very well presented. Sad that 2 of the veterans in the programme have since died, I wonder if they were shown the finished programme, I hope so.

That's really interesting callgirl. He was very young - your poor mother. My son was shocked to learn that the Rear Gunner on my fathers Lancaster was just 18!! I'm in touch, well, friends with a Dutch Archivist who has been invaluable with information about our crash, and I've visited the graves of the crew, which was very sad, but difficult to know how you honestly feel about someone you never knew. I feel/felt desperately sad for my mother, but me?! it's a difficult one.

Nigglynellie, my father was in the RAF, he was also killed in December 1942, aged 22, 6 months before I was born.

Please forgive me for the very short notice but I have just noticed a second Lancaster bomber programme this evening - BBC4 at 1130pm - The Lancaster Britain's Flying Past with John Sergeant, see

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04bwhk8

Set the recorder for that one!

My FIL was a career officer, serving in the RAF from 1925 to the early 60's. I know he took part in missions over Germany during the war.

My MIL's brother was also in the RAF. He was, and still is, missing in action in North Africa.

Indeed nigglynellie.
I won't say too much on here but agree with you. Your mother must have been very shocked at that late stage in her pregnancy.
DH was 4 at the time, we have just been chatting a lot about DFIL with DD.

My DF came through both wars unscathed; he was lucky.

They were brave men Jalima, and we have a lot to thank them for.

DH's family was one of the other 55,000 nigglynellie. DFIL was an aerial reconnoissance photographer lost in 1943.

Thank you c.p. us and 55.000 other families! We were fortunate though as my mother married again when I was four. He was a lovely man and it was our lucky day. Sadly there were no children, but the three of us were very happy.

Nigglynellie how tragic for your family.

I hope the RAF will announce the flight displays for the BBMF planes soon as I am so looking forward to seeing the Lancaster this summer.

A few years ago we visited RAF Coningsby home of the BBMF on a Members open day. As the crowds departed at the end of the show we stood underneath the Bomber and spoke to one of the crew - the chief pilot. He had been at the controls with two other pilots when one of the engines caught fire and they carried out an emergency landing on the runway at RAF Coningsby. No injuries but the Lanc needed all summer for the repairs and did not fly at all that year.

I am looking forward to the programme this evening.

My father was a Navigator on a Lancaster Bomber. He was killed at Christmas 1942, five weeks before I was born, so anything to do with Lancasters is of interest to me.

Thank you chocolatepudding

Just to clarify there are two different programmes.

Last Sunday night there was "RAF at 100 with Ewan and Colin McGregor" a new programme outlining the history of the RAF which will be repeated Sunday 1 April BBC2 at 315 pm, see

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09xptsg

I was referring to a programme especially about Bomber Command see

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01byv2g

I am sure both are good programmes to enjoy and learn a lot of history.

My Dad was awarded the DFC in 1945. I am looking forward to seeing the BBMF Lancaster flying again this year.

My Dad was a gunner on Lancasters, Coastal Command. He was awarded the DFC in 1944. Thanks chocolatepudding I'll be watching!

My father was a compass adjustor on Lancasters. Luckily they didn't let him fly or I might not be here! He went to Canada and the US for training although I've no idea why. Last weeks programme was a new one for the centenary

Watched this the other evening on one of the BBC channels
It was a very interesting & enjoyable programme.
Agree with * chocolate pudding's* well worth a watch?

choc-my grandfather and his twin joined the raf in canada.after serving in britian they came back and joined the us airforce..fil was a gunnery in bombers too.thanks for the show and kudos to your Dad.