Opened by the Queen last week, London’s RAF Bomber Command Memorial commemorates all the aircrews who lost their lives on bombing missions during World War II.
The memorial, made of Portland stone with a roof created from the aluminium salvaged from a downed Halifax bomber, shelters a larger-than-life-size sculpture depicting a full bomber crew of seven. It’s very impressive, although of course not without its critics.
Arguably, the reason that it has taken so many years for the sacrifices of RAF Bomber Command to be recognised is the continuing controversy surrounding their use in the carpet-bombing of German cities towards the end of the war, in an effort to break the morale of the German population. Consider that contemporary accounts show that the suffering of Londoners during the Blitz did nothing to reduce their resolve – why the allies thought it would work against the Germans is a mystery given that we are not dissimilar in temperament, particularly in comparison to our other European neighbours – get to know a few Germans well and you’ll understand what I mean…
Whatever your thoughts on the matter, if you do want to go and see it for yourself you’ll find the RAF Bomber Command Memorial in Green Park, just off Piccadilly near Hyde Park Corner. You’ll find the remainder of the photographs of my visit online here.
About Pete Stean
