Bomber Boys - BBC1 9PM 5th Feb 2012

[ChrisInBlackpool]

Going to watch this and try and not get too annoyed that it is all about Lancasters.. which is what I have a feeling it is going to be.. GRrrrrr

Be interesting to see how well researched it is..

[Neilw]

Some interestig points made,particularly in terms of orders from Churchill, numbers of men and weapons tied up in defending Germany as a result of Bomber Command and the Mighty Eighth but no mention of the Halifax squadrons - did seem to create the impression that the Bomber War was only fought from Lincolnshire in Lancs (still a magnificent aircraft and crewed by very brave guys - as was the Halifax) - and also the crews of the Stirling/Whitley/Manchester/Wellington and Hampden didn't seem to get a mention either!

If you not happy with the documentary then theres always -

https://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/forms/?reset=#anchor

People seem to forget the very succesful offensive waged in the Ardennes which showed that Germany was far from beaten, and when people are critical of Bomber Commands role in Dresden to they forget to mention the USAAF involvement, who returned to Dresden 2 weeks later - and as far as I am aware when 617 flew against the Tirpitz on the raid that sunk her there was also another squadron with them who did not seem to get a mention last night.

Neil

[ChrisInBlackpool]

Neil.. great idea.. done!


Bomber Boys was meant to be a program about Bomber Command, IT WAS NOT! It was a program about two brothers, ONE Squadron, and one type of aircraft.
I won't name the above, it's very easy to work it out, what I will name is NUMEROUS things the program left out.
The Lancaster Bomber was not the only aircraft flying in WWII, in fact it only came in after THOUSANDS of brave airmen had lost their lives in Whitley's, Hamden's, Wellington's, and of course the Halifax.
This program never ONCE mentioned any of these aircraft or the squadrons that flew them.. it was all about 617 and the Lancaster.
I spoke today with a 92 yr old member of 102 Ceylon Squadron who flew in 1941, I will keep his name to myself for now. This man was DEEPLY upset by your program and the insinuation that everything he went through during those early years was for nothing.. SHAME ON YOU BBC... SHAME ON YOU!
I am web master for www.102ceylonsquadron.co.uk Should the BBC want to remake this progrram and speak to any one of FOURTY THREE (43) men who served with this HALIFAX squadron then please do drop me an email and I will be pleased to send you some details. I have spoken to everyone of these men and they are by far the bravest people I have ever had the prililage to get to know.
Your program all but ignored their efforts and instead concentrated on two men who STILL have no idea what BC was all about..
I shall not be ordering the DVD of this program!
Yours
Chris Harper

[Neilw]

But if you do nt to watch a decent DVD I would recommend 'Into the Wind'

Neil

[AndyMc]

Absolutely Neil....probably the best documentary about BC that you will ever see....I have a copy...a work of art....

[ChrisInBlackpool]

Going to have a search for it Neil, thanks...