Bomber Boys

Lancaster pilot Victor Wood's aircraft arrived too early over Gelsenkirchen when the target was shrouded in darkness and the Main Force miles behind. His bomber was suddenly struck with terrifying force by flak and turned upside down. An engine was on fire, the unconscious mid-upper gunner, slumped over his turret, was being sprayed with petrol and their bombload had been struck by shrapnel. Could Vic get his crew back to base safely? Mel Rolfe tells this and nineteen other expertly researched stories of the young men who went on sorties night after night, not knowing if they would see another dawn.

Journalist Mel Rolfe served most of his two years' national service from 1955 flying a typewriter in the sick quarters at RAF Swinderby, then 8 Flying Training School.