RAF Bomber Command flew more than 389,000 individual sorties from 101 operational bases across the east of England during WWII and of the 125,000 men who served, 55,573 were killed. For every 100 airmen who joined Bomber Command, 45 would lose their lives, 6 would be seriously wounded and 8 made prisoners of war.

With an average age of just 22 the young airmen were forced to grow old quickly. Yet they resolutely overcame the overwhelming forces stacked against them, including some of the worst flying conditions imaginable and, never flinching from their task, flew until victory was finally achieved.