Bomber Command Association

Bomber Command Association. The Bomber Command Association is a charitable organization dedicated to preserving the legacy and supporting the veterans of RAF Bomber Command. Established in the early 21st century, it serves as a central body for remembrance, historical education, and the welfare of those who served in the strategic bombing campaign during the Second World War. The association plays a pivotal role in maintaining the memory of the 55,573 aircrew who lost their lives and ensures their immense contribution to Allied victory is properly recognized.

History

The association was formally inaugurated in 2009, emerging from longstanding efforts by veterans and their families to secure a permanent national memorial. Its creation was driven by key figures such as Douglas Radcliffe, himself a veteran of Bomber Command and a former Secretary of the Royal Air Forces Association. The push for a dedicated memorial gained significant momentum in the decades following the war, particularly due to perceptions that the service and sacrifice of bomber aircrew had been overlooked in official commemorations, partly influenced by post-war debates over the morality of area bombing. The association's founding was closely tied to the campaign to build the Bomber Command Memorial in Green Park, London, a project championed by the Daily Telegraph and supported by notable patrons including Sir John Major and the Bee Gees' Robin Gibb.

Objectives and activities

The primary objectives are to commemorate the fallen, support living veterans and their families, and educate the public about the history of RAF Bomber Command. Its activities include organizing annual remembrance services, most notably at the Bomber Command Memorial, and facilitating pilgrimages to historic sites like the Imperial War Museum Duxford and former airfields such as RAF Scampton and RAF Coningsby. The association also engages in extensive educational outreach, providing resources and speakers to schools and institutions, and it administers welfare grants for veterans in need. Furthermore, it collaborates with other heritage organizations like the Royal Air Force Museum and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to promote historical research and preservation.

Memorials and commemorations

The association's most significant achievement is the establishment of the Bomber Command Memorial in Green Park, unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II in 2012. The memorial, featuring a bronze sculpture of a Lancaster bomber crew, permanently honors the 55,573 aircrew who died. The association organizes the central annual remembrance service there each June. It also supports and promotes other commemorative sites, including the International Bomber Command Centre in Lincoln, which houses the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre and the Spire of Hope. Commemorative events often involve current Royal Air Force formations, such as the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, and associations like the Royal British Legion.

Organisation and membership

The association is governed by a board of trustees, which includes veterans, historians, and family members of those who served. Membership is open to veterans of RAF Bomber Command, their descendants, and any individual with an interest in supporting its aims. It operates with a small professional staff and relies heavily on a network of volunteers, many from affiliated squadron associations. Key operational and ceremonial support is provided through partnerships with the Royal Air Force and charities such as the Royal Air Forces Association. The patron of the association is King Charles III, continuing a long tradition of royal support for the armed forces.

Legacy and significance

The association has been instrumental in reshaping the public understanding and acknowledgment of Bomber Command's role in the Second World War. By securing a permanent national memorial in the heart of London, it has provided a focal point for reconciliation and remembrance, addressing decades of contested memory. Its work ensures that the strategic importance of the bombing campaign against targets like the Ruhr, Berlin, and Peenemünde is remembered alongside the profound human cost. The association safeguards a crucial part of British military history and serves as a living bridge between the veterans of the Combined Bomber Offensive and future generations, emphasizing themes of duty, sacrifice, and the complex nature of total warfare.

Category:Royal Air Force Category:Military veterans' organizations in the United Kingdom Category:World War II commemorations