splendid

Amen!

I'll tell you a little story about that. In the late 1950s, I worked in the Headquarters at Ashiya AB, Japan. Promotions were very difficult then because a lot of the NCOs in USAF at the time had been officers during WWII and could stay in only as NCOs. The Base Commanders and their executives were also holdovers from the Big War. I saw a lot of their personnel records and it was quite revealing: Most of them had begun their careers in the last six months to a year of the war. A lot of them went from 2nd Louies to Lt. Colonel or full colonel in that time and held that rank up into 1960. None were in the earlier ranks more than two to four months. It dawned on me that the reason they moved up so fast was because their predecessors had been shot down and killed. I rather thought they deserved those ranks a great deal. I don't think most people today really realize how appalling the number of aircrews were lost in the skies over Europe. We can't know what it cost the survivors of those raids over time. They went about quietly doing their duty then and continued to do so for years afterward. I have nothing but the greatest respect for all of them.

An excellent shot! The shadow is great.

Fine photo Neil...great words! Well said.

kjer_99 is SO right! We today have a hard time realising how total, all encompassing and horrendously bitter WWII was. The massive numbers of men under arms, the huge amount of equipment produced and used. The massive destruction on unprecedented scale. We look at today's wars, and they are very limited in scope, in man-power, in equipment, location, etc. (yet more expensive due to the sophisticated arms). NOT like WWII where the entire world was involved at all levels. IF we had a war so all encompassing today, where would the politicians stand? Selling us out? The liberals? The banks? The industries? The average citizen? Capitulation without moving a finger to defend? I think the reason we haven't had such a war since (despite all smaller ones that could have become big ones) is due to the USA - USSR balance of power. Neither wanted another big war. And added to this, the horror of assured mutual destruction by nuclear weapons, something neither side wanted. The liberals can say what they want, but the truth is another matter. My Airfix B-17 model is still hanging from the light hook in my living room ceiling as a reminder of the conflict and those who didn't make it home. Beautiful photo, Neil. Keep up the good work! :-)

So true mate and the same can be said of both the RAF and USAAF. It's taken so long for Bomber Command to get recognition here. Great image and postwork Neil.

Another superb photo.

Did you see, finally, after everyone else has a memorial, Bomber Command got one yesterday.. And not before time.. Everyone talks about the wrongs of 'carpet bombing' and it was to be honest, but war is war and all sides did it various scales.. What people did not realise or just forgot is Bomber Command did not just stick to carpet bombing, they attacked V-1 sites, U-boat pens and a list of targets far to long to ever put on here.. So, why was there a delay? Why STILL no medal? Come on Cameron, shift your arse! There are a hundred, a thousand memorials for units in the US.. So.....? This is another excellent shot Neil, Sally B looks great there.. And I know the amount of clutter you've shifted! lol Good one, and sorry for the slight rant! Rob