Bomber Command
Bomber Command
About Us
Bomber Command
The Royal Air Force’s (RAF) bombing offensive against Nazi Germany was one of the longest, most expensive and controversial of the Allied campaigns during the Second World War. Its aim was to severely weaken Germany’s ability to fight, which was central to the Allies’ strategy for winning the war.
Almost six thousand New Zealanders served in Bomber Command during World War. All of them were volunteers. Sadly, more than 1800 did not return. They are among the 55,000 who lost their lives as the RAF took the war to Germany. Many more airmen were injured on operations or shot down and became prisoners of war. Of those who did return to New Zealand, many suffered what we would now understand as PSTD.
Group of No. 487 Squadron personnel in front of a Ventura. Believed to be at RAF Station Feltwell.
(Credit: Air Force Museum of New Zealand / Andrew Coutts collection)