Colour documentary that follows a Lancaster crew in 1944

[Keith Webb]

I have interviewed many Australians who flew in Bomber Command, all of whom I rate very highly.
Some were pilots, but I have also interviewed most other crew positions, although I have yet to find a Flight Engineer. Some who were Navigators of Bomb Aimers were scrubbed pilots, remustered into new jobs.
This often came in handy where the pilot had been injured and needed help.
Many had been shot down by flak or fighters, even one remarkable mid upper gunner who had broken his leg falling from the turret as the aircraft was flung around in it's death throes. He managed to drag himself to the exit after putting his parachute on. All the others except the tail gunner made it out, only to be murdered on the ground by Germans.
Interviewing Peter Isaacson who is still alive at the age of 92, I asked him what went through his mind as he struggled to recover his aircraft as it plummeted out of control when hit by flak. His answer? "Nothing". Peter flew the first Lancaster to Australia, Q-Queenie (not G-George which is in the AWM). He is also famous for flying it under the Sydney Harbour bridge. After one tour he transferred to Pathfinders on Lancasters.
The men I interviewed from Bomber Command flew or crewed an interesting array of aircraft including Whitley, Wellington, Halifax, Stirling and Lancaster. There was even one Navigator from 100 Group who flew in Fortresses.
Speaking of Guy Gibson of 617 Sqn, he was also responsible for forming the squadron. It was also later led by Leonard Cheshire. There was a strong contingent of Australians in 617. For those interested there is a free download of the excellent radio play here, which tells the whole 617 story. It makes excellent in-car listening and bears hearing time and again.
The colour documentary is a vivid illustration of a typical raid, even if the 1981 sound effects are decidedly dodgy at times.