ARMED FORCES DAY U.K.

it is the people not the politics that moves us

Yesterday, the first MONUMENT dedicated to our fighter pilots and bomber crews was unveiled. Flying in a British bomber during World War Two was one of the most dangerous jobs imaginable. Some 55,000 aircrew died in raids over Europe between 1939 and 1945, the highest loss rate of any major branch of the British armed forces.

Yet there is no official campaign medal commemorating the sacrifices of these men. Their contribution to the war effort has been partly overshadowed by the controversy over the saturation bombing of German cities in 1944 and '45, in which tens of thousands of German civilians were killed.

During the war, this was not a debate that concerned most members of Bomber Command. They were preoccupied with obeying their orders, and with surviving. Early in the war bomber pilots were taught terrible lessons about their vulnerability. Missions over Europe were flown by day, and German fighters found the lumbering British aircraft easy targets.

In late 1939, 21 out of 36 bombers on one sortie failed to return. Many of the planes were flying so low that when they were hit there was no time to bale out. Daylight raids were abandoned. From then on, British bombers would fly mainly at night.

Thanks Joe,indeed Bomber command suffered a 44% loss rate,this monument is long overdue,and a dreadful shame that so many haven't lived to see it,and also Robin Gibb who was so instrumental in its commisioning coming to fruition

All of the above.

And I pray that we find the inner strength to preserve what is great in our two nations.

"If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher."
— Abraham Lincoln

How very trugh,Ugh..Libs,and thank you

Thank YOU, Buccaneer, and God bless.

Nice one Boris,thanks

Thank you.

And thank you also dave b

May we all remember.

May we indeed Fencer Cat,thanks

I respect our British friends EVERYDAY. My favorite boss was a Brit, wish I was still working with him. ('Course, we have to forget the "early years".). LOL

Know what you mean AL! thanks

Thanks for this info. I'll be flying my flag for all the Brits who stand beside us all over the world.

Thank you rknothead,much appreciated

to the men and women who protect HRH and her subjects: thank you.

Good man RadicalEd,thanks

Thank you for serving our country. God bless your children and all your family.

Thank you dominic garcia,and bless you

Thank you Ishmael

Not a problem

I love the Dropkick Murphy's version of this song.

Bless your service people that give of themselves so that we may all be free.

Thank you JohnT

Great post! Thanks so much for sharing. :)

Bless you Treasure,and thank you

semper fi !

Thanks ronbo,good man

I hope one day they all return war will be in the past and stay there as a reminder never again. Till then I remember and thank you for your service.

Thank you Demon Destroyer

God bless you, Buc, and all those that served and serving for both our nations. Thanks for the post and reminder, sir.

Welcome SK my friend,and thanks

Thanks for the share my friend.

Welcome tommyg my friend

God Bless Britain's Armed Forces, thanks for being there.

Bless you Kat, you got that right!

My respects to you Semper Fi, and thanks shipmate