G for George: A memorial to RAAF bomber crews 1939-45

G-for-George is one of the only two genuine operational Avro Lancasters remaining in the world. 'G-for-George' flew 90 operations against targets in Occupied Europe and Nazi Germany 1943-44 while with 460 Squadron RAAF. The aircraft then was donated to Australia, flew from England to Australia and became the centre-piece of the Aircraft Hall at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. 'G-for-George' today is a memorial to the 3,500 Australians who gave their lives in the bombing offensive against Nazi Germany 1939-45.

The authors, Michael V. Nelmes and Ian Jenkins, researched and wrote the book while curators at the Australian War Memorial. The book describes the Avro Lancaster, and the construction of 'G-for-George', its arrival on squadron, and its operational life with 460 Squadron. As well as official reports, contributions from individual crew members and the vital ground crew are included to give a personal aspect to this history of a bomber, and the life and times of the young men who volunteered for air force service. Each operation is described, with separate crew lists for each sortie, while the effect on the target, 460 Squadron losses and RAF Bomber Command losses give the broader perspective. Details of German nightfighter activities and flak and radar defences are included.

How the four-engined Lancaster came to be installed inside the hall display area is fully described, and this section should explode some of the myths about how such a large item arrived in the hall, and about which many visitors have puzzled.