Last of the Kriegies: The Extraordinary True Life Experiences of Five Bomber Command Prisoners of War

‘For you the war is over’.

‘Last of the Kriegies’ tells the extraordinary stories of five of the last remaining Second World War RAF Bomber Command Prisoners-of-War: pilot Reg Barker, bomb aimer Charles Clarke, air gunner David Fraser, air gunner Albert Gunn and navigator Henry Wagner. Each veteran shares the journey they went through joining up with the Royal Air Force, their training and crewing up, and operational duties with RAF Bomber Command. We accompany them on raids over enemy territory as they fight to survive against the relentless flak, searchlights, and deadly enemy nightfighters. Eventually each airmen’s next of kin receives a knock on the door and the dreaded ‘regret to inform’ you telegram.

Reg, Charles, David, Albert and Henry describe the circumstances in which they are shot from the sky, descending by parachute in to hostile territory, and their subsequent failed attempt to avoid capture. Interrogation follows and we hear how the downed airmen negotiate the aggressive and devious tactics employed by their captors as they try and extract secret information. Our ‘Kriegsgefangener’ soon find themselves behind the barbed wire of a German prison camp facing the trials and tribulations of daily life as a ‘kriegie’; the battle with hunger and frustration, the baiting and harassing of prison guards, friendships made, and attempts to break out and escape their captivity. In the final months of the war some of our POWs endure the grueling and harsh conditions of the forced ‘Long March’. Despite frustrating delays, as the Nazi regime enters its final death throes, our airmen eventually taste the sweetness of liberation and journey home to loved ones and family.

Fighting High Publishing and Bomber Command historian Steve Darlow presents the extraordinary testimony of five veterans who endured and survived being shot down, captivity, degradation, and suffering. Illustrated with previously unpublished photographs and with a foreword from former Gulf War POW Squadron Leader Bob Ankerson RAF (Ret’d) ‘Last of the Kriegies' reveals the extraordinary strength and resilience of the human spirit struggling with incarceration and the loss of freedom.

Steve Darlow is a Bomber Command historian and established military aviation author, with fourteen books to his name. Steve has made numerous radio and television appearances, and recently acted as program consultant on the BBC’s The Lancaster: Britain’s Flying Past and Channel 5’s War Hero in the Family (Robert Llewelyn). Steve is also an Ambassador of the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund.

Former Second World War prisoner-of-war Reg Barker served as a pilot with RAF Bomber Command.

Former Second World War prisoner-of-war Air Commodore Charles Clarke OBE served as a bomb aimer with RAF Bomber Command.

Former Second World War prisoner-of-war David Fraser served as an air gunner with RAF Bomber Command.

Former Second World War prisoner-of-war Albert Gunn served as an air gunner with RAF Bomber Command.

Former Second World War prisoner-of-war Henry Wagner served as a navigator with RAF Bomber Command.

Squadron Leader Bob Ankerson of No. 17 Squadron Tornado GR1 operated during Gulf War I. When his aircraft was shot down he ejected over Ar Rumaylah air base, became a prisoner-of-war and was held in Baghdad.