A medal for the heroes of Bomber Command
SIR – Following the recent opening of the International Bomber Command Centre in Lincoln, you printed an editorial declaring it to be “shameful” that Bomber Command veterans have never been awarded a campaign medal. Instead, in 2013, they were awarded a Bomber Command clasp to put on their 1939-1945 Star.
For many years Bomber Command has campaigned for a proper medal. Veterans would like it not so much for themselves, but for their many comrades who died alongside them during the Second World War – and for those who have died since the war ended in 1945.
War was dangerous for everyone; Bomber Command was no exception. What was exceptional, however, was the level of risk faced on every sortie: airmen took to the sky knowing the enemy was ready with bullets and shells. Almost half did not make it through the war.
We ask those who endorse this newspaper’s view that surviving Bomber Command veterans should receive a medal to sign the petition, available on gopetition.com, for a review to be carried out by the Honours and Decorations Committee. Victoria Panton-Bacon Editor, “Six Weeks of Blenheim Summer” (by Air Cdre Alastair Panton) Field Marshal Lord Guthrie
Chief of the Defence Staff (1997-2001) Flt Lt John Nichol Heather Allsworth
Bomber Command Medal Campaign Group Dr Andrew Roberts
Visiting Professor of War Studies King’s College London Louis de Bernières Will Iredale Ivor Foster
Mid-Upper Gunner, 186 Squadron Les Rutherford Bomber Aimer, 50 Squadron Sqd Ldr George (Johnny) Johnson Bomb Aimer, 97 and 617 Squadrons Len Manning Rear Gunner, 57 Squadron Wg Cdr Jim Wright Navigator 61, 630 and 97 Squadrons Fred Hooker Rear Gunner, 102 Squadron Flt Lt Dr Noble Frankland Navigator, 50 Squadron Flying Officer John Ottewell Navigator, 115 and 7 Squadrons