RAF Bomber Command Memorial

RAF Bomber Command Memorial. It is a war memorial in Green Park, London, dedicated to the aircrew of RAF Bomber Command who served during the Second World War. The memorial commemorates the sacrifice of the 55,573 men from the United Kingdom, Commonwealth, and occupied European countries who lost their lives while serving in the command. It was conceived to provide a permanent and dignified recognition for a group of veterans whose contribution to Allied victory was historically complex and, for many years, insufficiently honoured in the public sphere.

History and background

The campaign for a national memorial was driven by veterans' groups and families, notably supported by the Bomber Command Association and the Royal Air Forces Association. The strategic bombing campaign conducted by Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Harris was a decisive element of the Allied war effort, targeting German industrial and military infrastructure in cities like Hamburg, Dresden, and Berlin. However, the morality of area bombing and the high casualty rate among aircrew created a contentious post-war legacy, leading to official ambivalence. Prominent advocates, including veteran and author Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees, along with Sir John Major and Baroness Thatcher, lobbied for recognition. Funding, estimated at £7 million, was raised through public subscription and a significant donation from John Caudwell's philanthropic foundation, overcoming initial governmental reluctance.

Design and features

Designed by architect Liam O'Connor in a classical style, the structure is built from Portland stone and features a 9-foot high bronze sculpture by Philip Jackson. The sculpture depicts a seven-man bomber crew, representing the typical crew of an Avro Lancaster, having just returned from a mission. The memorial's roof is constructed with aluminum reclaimed from a Handley Page Halifax shot down over Belgium in 1944, a poignant link to the actual aircraft flown. The central pavilion is open-sided, supported by columns, and inscribed with the RAF motto. The design aims to evoke the grandeur of a classical temple while providing an intimate space for reflection, with stone slabs recording the names of every squadron that served within the command.

Dedication and unveiling

The memorial was unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II on 28 June 2012, in a ceremony attended by thousands of veterans, their families, and dignitaries. The event included a flypast by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, featuring a Lancaster bomber accompanied by a Hawker Hurricane and a Supermarine Spitfire. Speeches were given by HRH The Prince of Wales and Prime Minister David Cameron, acknowledging the bravery and sacrifice of the aircrew. The dedication service was conducted by the Chaplain-in-Chief of the Royal Air Force, and the Last Post was sounded by a bugler from the Royal Air Force Regiment.

Significance and reception

The memorial's establishment was widely seen as correcting a historical oversight and providing a long-awaited focal point for remembrance. It received support from major institutions like the Royal British Legion and was praised by figures such as Sir Max Hastings and Stephen Bungay, historians of the period. However, some commentary, including from groups like the German War Graves Commission and certain British media outlets, noted it inevitably references the ongoing historical debate about the bombing campaign's legacy. For the veteran community and the Royal Air Force, it is an unequivocal tribute to extraordinary courage and loss, permanently enshrining their place in national memory alongside other commemorations like the Battle of Britain Memorial.

Location and access

Situated at the southern edge of Green Park, near Hyde Park Corner and opposite the Wellington Arch, the memorial is within the ceremonial heart of London. Its location places it near other major monuments, including the Australian War Memorial and the New Zealand War Memorial. The site is easily accessible via the London Underground stations Hyde Park Corner and Green Park. Maintained by the Royal Parks, it is open to the public year-round and is a regular site for remembrance events, particularly on Battle of Britain Day and Remembrance Sunday.

Category:Monuments and memorials in London Category:Royal Air Force memorials and cemeteries Category:World War II memorials in the United Kingdom Category:2012 establishments in the United Kingdom Category:Buildings and structures in the City of Westminster