Life and Death in Bomber Command

Life and Death in Bomber Command is an intimate account of the bombing offensive against Germany and targets in Occupied Europe. The story, told by Lancaster reargunner W/O Sidney Knott DFC, is set in the context of a detailed assessment of the bomber war by author Tony Redding. This unique combination of dramatic narrative and strategic overview is supported by 115 photographs and graphics. Sidney Knott survived sixty-four operations, beginning in January 1943, when he joined 467 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force. His aircraft, captained by twenty-year-old Frank Heavery, attacked Duisburg five times and Essen on three occasions. The crew also participated in three raids on Berlin. Having survived sorties against twelve heavily defended targets, Knott's crew was offered the choice of transferring to a new unit for "special duties", or to continue the tour with 467 Squadron. The crew was split and Heavery held the casting vote, deciding they would stay put. The crew posted for special duties in their place was the first to die during 617 Squadron's attack on the Ruhr dams in May 1943. Of the 258 crews posted to 467 Squadron RAAF, 115 failed to return. Many crews during Sidney Knott's first tour failed to survive ten operations. Five of 467 Squadron's Commanding Officers were killed in action. As a screened gunner, Sidney Knott trained fledgling gunners during his rest from operations. When sharing his operational experiences with the "sprogs", he was careful not to mention that a posting to an operational bomber squadron was equivalent to a death sentence for one in three. By April 1944 Knott had found a new crew. He began a second tour as a Pathfinder with 582 Squadron, also flying Lancasters.

Dr. Tony Redding is a military historian and author with a particular interest in RAF Bomber Command. Following the publication of two books on Bomber Command in World War 2, Dr. Redding began a seven-year research program on the British airborne nuclear deterrent, leading to a PhD from King’s College, London (War Studies) and this latest book, on the operational capability and credibility of the V-bomber force during the Cold War.

He lives in a village close to Sandwich, in East Kent with his wife, the artist Philippa Redding. Tony has lectured and broadcast widely on Bomber Command and other military subjects. He is also a founder member of The Chindit Society.