Features

Bomber Command

Remembering the Bomber Boys

Norman Wright and photographer Clive Nicholls visit the excellent International Bomber Command Centre

Today, lit up by autumn sunshine, Lincoln Cathedral is magnificent against a clear blue sky, an uplifting sight for tourists and locals alike. For thousands of young men eighty odd years ago a glimpse of the 1,000-year-old towers was much more than uplifting – it meant they had made it back through the hell of German airspace.

The cathedral was a vital, and comforting, landmark for the Bomber Boys returning from raids on enemy targets, hounded by night fighters, criss-crossing searchlights and intense ground fire.

They were heading for RAF stations like the legendary Scampton, Waddington and Coningsby or one of the 24 lesser-known heavy bomber bases in the county.

Relief at the sight of the cathedral must have been electrifying after the stresses of battle. For some in the aircraft it was too late to feel the elation, others were wounded. Some of the aircraft were badly damaged and faced difficult or often crash landings.

For almost 58,000 who served in Bomber Command there was no homecoming to Lincolnshire bases or the many others in Eastern counties of Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire.

In the aftermath following the end of the Second World War the Bomber Boys did not receive their due recognition. Politicians may have been embarrassed at the bombing of enemy cities but that should not diminish admiration for the courage of those who flew into the jaws of hell night after night and those who supported them on the ground.

It was to recognise and remember those who sacrificed their young lives (the average age of those who died was 23), the determination and bravery of those who supported the fliers and the civilians on both sides who suffered from the bombing war that the International Bomber Command Centre was conceived and opened in 2018.

The centre’s mission is for Recognition, Remembrance and Reconciliation.

Outside the buildings on the high ground overlooking a spectacular view of the city dominated by the cathedral is the centre’s tribute and remembrance of those who gave their lives.

The Memorial Spire made from 73 tons of weathering steel is 102 ft – the exact wingspan of an Avro Lancaster bomber. Surrounding it, in the same type of weathering steel, are 27 Walls of Names with almost 58,000 names of men and women of who died serving or supporting Bomber Command.

The pathways leading to the memorials (the Ribbon of Remembrance) are edged with memorial pavers engraved with personal and poignant messages to individuals and units.

Poppies dot the names on the walls and among the pavers – they are remembered individually and collectively by family and the many visitors who come to the centre.

Inside the centre are exhibitions telling the story of Bomber Command on film and with displays. The centre tells of the danger, courage of the fliers and ground staff but doesn’t gloss over the damage their bravery and bombs caused to the enemy – like the victims of the Blitz, mainly civilians.

Their reconciliation theme aims to educate current generations on the impact of the bombing war from both sides.

The centre also has an excellent café and shop with a good section of relevant air books historical and modern.

This centre is highly recommended it is both uplifting and poignant and full of information with lots to discover that you probably didn’t know before your visit.

The International Bomber Command Centre is at Canwick Avenue LN4 2QH on the outskirts of Lincoln close to RAF Waddington and village. Tel: 01522 514755. Website: (www.internationalbcc.co.uk)

The centre is open from 9.30am to 5pm (to 4pm during the winter, check for exact dates and prices.) 

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