The organisers of a new memorial in Lincolnshire to RAF Bomber Command are trying to trace and invite every living veteran of the second world war unit to the opening ceremony..
International Bomber Command Centre has already sent out 900 invites, and organisers believe there are at least 1,400 veterans still alive across the world.
Bomber Command had one of the highest casualty rates of any section of the armed forces, losing almost half of the 125,000 aircrew who served – but commemorating its role in the war has been controversial because of the lasting stain of the carpet bombing of cities like Dresden.
There is already a 2011 memorial to Bomber Command in London’s Green Park, but the memorial near Lincoln, in what became known as “bomber county” because a third of all the command stations were located there, is intended as a centre of peace and reconciliation as well as a memorial to the 55,573 who died. Of the planes that took off from Lincolnshire, 3,491 never returned, and 70% of their crews died, were injured or taken prisoner.
The first phase of the memorial, a 55-ton, 30 metre-tall spire set in line with the spire of Lincoln cathedral, which was often the last sight of England for many crews, is already in place. It will be formally inaugurated on 2 October, surrounded by rusted steel panels that will have 29,500 names engraved. It is hoped to add all the remaining names later, and the memorial will be surrounded by a peace garden, exhibition and research space.
- Anyone knowing of any Bomber Command veteran is urged to register their names via email to events@internationalbcc.co.uk or write to: The IBCC, 13 Cherry Holt Road, Bourne, Lincolnshire, PE10 9LA.
