Bomber Command Memorial Opens Today...Finally

[Clinton Huxley]

Bomber Command finally gets a memorial, opened today. Grandpa Huxley was a bomb aimer on a Lancaster in the war, not that he ever talked about it. A controversial memorial - even as the war was finishing, it was clear that the politicians were a bit embarassed at the civilian casualties caused - Churchill didn't mention Bomber Command in his victory broadcast and there were never any campaign medals issued.

So, does Bomber Command deserve a memorial? For a while, they were Blighty's only way of hitting back at the Germans. On the other hand.....err.....Dresden.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18600871

[Rum]

55 thousand men died, not to mention the casualties they inflicted. They almost certainly shortened the war and demoralized the enemy. They also exhibited a special kind of bravery, sitting up there in their canvas and aluminum boxes being shot at. War is hell - I am close to pacifism in my outlook - , but they deserve some recognition.

[JimC]

55 thousand men died, not to mention the casualties they inflicted. They almost certainly shortened the war and demoralized the enemy. They also exhibited a special kind of bravery, sitting up there in their canvas and aluminum boxes being shot at. War is hell - I am close to pacifism in my outlook - , but they deserve some recognition.

They can really only be judged in the context of their times...

[Rum]

55 thousand men died, not to mention the casualties they inflicted. They almost certainly shortened the war and demoralized the enemy. They also exhibited a special kind of bravery, sitting up there in their canvas and aluminum boxes being shot at. War is hell - I am close to pacifism in my outlook - , but they deserve some recognition.

They can really only be judged in the context of their times...

I agree with you.

[Clinton Huxley]

55 thousand men died, not to mention the casualties they inflicted. They almost certainly shortened the war and demoralized the enemy. They also exhibited a special kind of bravery, sitting up there in their canvas and aluminum boxes being shot at. War is hell - I am close to pacifism in my outlook - , but they deserve some recognition.

They can really only be judged in the context of their times...

I agree with you.

Some would say, given the absence of campaign medals and the lack of any contemporary memorial, they were judged in the context of their times, at the time...

[Rum]

Hypocrisy I would say. There was controversy over the firestorms caused by the likes of the bombing of Dresden at the time. I have read that these attacks literally burnt all the oxygen in a given area and killed everything within the area as a result, not just from the blast.

The flyers were following a strategy planned by Harris and others. They were brave men and deserve recognition.

[Tyrannical]

It's a shame that Herr King and Herr Kaiser didn't get along better, but then again who do the Germans get along well with?

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Salute to the brave men of Bomber Command. Ye daft bastards!

[Rum]

It's a shame that Herr King and Herr Kaiser didn't get along better, but then again who do the Germans get along well with?

Kaiser?

[klr]

55 thousand men died, not to mention the casualties they inflicted. They almost certainly shortened the war and demoralized the enemy. They also exhibited a special kind of bravery, sitting up there in their canvas and aluminum boxes being shot at. War is hell - I am close to pacifism in my outlook - , but they deserve some recognition.

They can really only be judged in the context of their times...

I agree with you.

Some would say, given the absence of campaign medals and the lack of any contemporary memorial, they were judged in the context of their times, at the time...

Judged by Churchill though - it was ultimately his decision IIRC. After Dresden, he got cold feed about a strategy that he had previously supported to the hilt.

[Tyrannical]

It's a shame that Herr King and Herr Kaiser didn't get along better, but then again who do the Germans get along well with?

Kaiser?

Kaiser Wilhelm II

Avoid WWI and you avoid WWII

[Gawdzilla Sama]

It's a shame that Herr King and Herr Kaiser didn't get along better, but then again who do the Germans get along well with?

Kaiser?

Kaiser Wilhelm II

Avoid WWI and you avoid WWII

You just delay WWI.

[Clinton Huxley]

Delay WWI and you end up with a different WWI - US vs UK naval conflict.....so I've heard said.

[John_fi_Skye]

Brave young men, placing themselves at risk of incalculable suffering in order to save others from similar suffering.

It's the definition of altruism. If a memorial reminds people about the altruism of these young men, then it's a worthwhile memorial. If it also reminds folk that we must guard against politicians whose policies cause suffering, then it's doubly worthwhile.

[JacksSmirkingRevenge]

It's a shame that Herr King and Herr Kaiser didn't get along better, but then again who do the Germans get along well with?

Kaiser?

Yeah, you know...Adolf Mussolini.