Photographs
1. Bomber crews
An exhausted young Canadian pilot after returning from an operation over Germany, 1942.
© IWM (CH 6627)
Thebomber warwas fought largely by young, civilian volunteers from Britain and the Commonwealth, commanded by men who joined up before theSecond World War. The vast majority of aircrew were in their late teens or early twenties. Only 25% were officers. An increasing flow of Canadians, Australians and New Zealanders meant that one in four aircrew came from the Dominions.
See object record
Photographs
2. The dangers of flying
Wreckage of a Wellington bomber shot down by flak over the Netherlands, lost in a raid on Bremen, 13-14 September 1942.
© IWM (HU 8568)
Aircrew were first committed to a tour of thirty operational flights, not exceeding 200 actual flying hours, which could last for any period from four months to a year.Pathfindercrews flew forty-five. A six-month break - usually spent as instructors with training units - was followed by a second and final tour.
See object record
Instructing had its dangers, too, as it involved flying with inexperienced recruits in old aircraft. More than 8,000 men were killed in training accidents or other non-operational flying during theSecond World War.
Operational flying was perilous. Chances of survival varied during a tour, depending on factors such as inexperience, fatigue, type of aircraft flown and target. The most dangerous were the first and last five trips. During the whole war, 51% of aircrew were killed on operations, 12% were killed or wounded in non-operational accidents and 13% becameprisoners of waror evaders. Only 24% survived the war unscathed.
Photographs
3. Daily life
IWM (CH 4188)
© IWM (CH 4188)
The everyday lives of most aircrew, unlike other servicemen, were a unique mixture of danger and normality. At one moment the men were on a bombing raid, a few hours later they were safely at home in the pub.
Bomber operations were extremely stressful and frequently perilous, with a random chance of death or horrific injury. Flying was physically and mentally demanding and constant concentration was needed for many hours at a time. Airmen had to not only fight the enemy, but also a hostile environment in which they might encounter many kinds of adverse weather. Occupational hazards such as lack of oxygen, frostbite and lower pressures at high altitude meant they needed equipment to keep them warm and breathing. These problems were increased by operating at night.
See object record
Photographs
4. Flak
Sergeant Frank Griggs of No. 214 Squadron, RAF examines damage to his Stirling bomber after crash-landing, 28 June 1942.
© IWM (CH 17359)
On operations, most aircrew feared anti-aircraft fire - known as flak - although statistically, they were more likely to be shot down by fighters. Shrapnel from exploding flak could cause extensive damage not only to aircraft, but also to the crew. It could result in serious injuries, especially if it struck the head or upper body. The sight and sound of shells bursting nearby were unnerving to an aircrew and a near miss could cause the aircraft to jolt alarmingly.
See object record
Photographs
5. Dealing with casualties
An RAF bomber crew being debriefed by the squadron intellgence officer on their return from a night raid over Germany, 1941.
Fatigue and fear were the most common causes of combat stress for bomber crews. Approximately 5,000-6,500 men suffered serious disorders and an unknown, possibly much larger, number experienced lesser symptoms. Simple treatments such as lots of food, rest and relaxation were successful in many cases and about a third of all casualties eventually returned to operations. However, a few were treated harshly and were labelled LMF - meaning 'Lack of Moral Fibre' - and quickly removed from their stations so as not to affect other aircrew.
Some aircrew sustained severe burns. They were the most serious injuries suffered and needed complicated and very long treatment and recovery periods. Victims benefitted from the pioneering techniques introduced byArchibald McIndoe, civilian consultant plastic surgeon to the RAF, at his hospital inEast Grinstead. His RAF patients were known collectively as'the Guinea Pig Club'.By 1945, 80% of the club’s 649 members were bomber aircrew.
See object record
For aircrew returning safely from an operation, relief at survival was the overriding emotion. Once home they couldenjoy a hot mealand a sleep in a warm bed. For the next few days there might be no flying. RAF stations generally had good leisure facilities and there were frequent dances, mess parties and variety shows. Aircrew were given generous amounts of leave, with a seven-day pass every six weeks and shorter periods granted during prolonged bad weather or after difficult operations.
Photographs
6. Rescue at sea
The crew of an RAF Air Sea Rescue launch haul in two survivors from a Wellington bomber, which ditched off the French coast.
© IWM (CH 9389)
Not all aircrew made it home. If an aircraft flying over the sea was damaged or out of fuel, the crew would have to make an emergency landing on the water, known as ditching, which was always hazardous. If a good landing was made, the crew could escape into rubber dinghies. Men in the water did not stay alive for long. If survivors were spotted, or their radio distress signals were heard, rescue could come in the form of warship, fishing boat, seaplane or RAF Air Sea Rescue craft.
See object record
Photographs
7. Prisoners of War
General view of the huts and compound at Stalag Luft III prisoner of war camp.
© IWM (HU 21013)
If an aircraft flying over land was critically damaged, aircrew would have to bail out. Parachutes were bulky and not completely reliable, escape hatches were small and had to be located in the dark, and the aircraft might be on fire and out of control. Men were sometimes injured or killed by striking parts of the aircraft after jumping. Only 25% of airmen safely exitedHalifaxesandStirlings, a mere 15% fromLancasters. Landings were often perilous. Survivors would try to evade capture as, if they were not killed bythe SS,the Gestapoor angry civilians, they would becomeprisoners of war (POWs).
See object record
All aircrew were given some instruction in evasion techniques. Before each operation they were also issued with some local currency, a small hacksaw, a compass, a silk escape map and an escape aid box. The box contained enough concentrated food to last for 48 hours, or for seven days if they were flying over Germany. Those landing in occupied countries had more chance of evading capture. As the war progressed, lines of courageous helpers, who sheltered fugitive airmen, were built up by MI9 - the British escape service - to get the men to neutral Spain or Switzerland.
Airmen who becamePOWsfirst went toDulag Lufttransit camp near Frankfurt, where they were interrogated for information, and then to a permanent camp. The journey between camps often offered the best chance for an escape. Conditions for POWs were harsh. Food was always scarce and of poor quality, camps were cold in winter and often overcrowded. They were sustained by parcels of food, medicine and other comforts sent by the Red Cross. Almost 10,000 aircrew from Bomber Command became POWs.
Related Content
Second World War
A Short History Of POWs During The Second World War
More prisoners were taken during theSecond World Warthan in any other conflict. Millions of soldiers, sailors and airmen – and alsocivilians– were held in captivity. Their fate depended on when and where they were captured, and sometimes their nationality or race.
© IWM HU 104656
Battle of Britain
How Bomber Command Helped Win The Battle Of Britain
The RAF's victory over the Luftwaffe during theBattle of Britainin the summer of 1940 made a German invasion of Britain all but impossible. In his bookBomber Offensive, published in 1947, Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Arthur Harris wrote that all the credit for preventing the invasion of Britain had been given to Fighter Command.
© IWM D 6051
Second World War
Who's Who In An RAF Bomber Crew
A Bomber Command aircrew operated as a team. Each member was mutually dependent on the others and each had a vital part to play in ensuring that the aircraft reached its target, dropped its bombs and safely returned to base. These are the key roles and responsibilities of a heavy bomber crew during theSecond World War.
