Thanks for all your wonderful comments about this film , would just like to add : He was my Dad and i,m very proud ! Alison.

I was extremely privileged to be a personal friend of a Lancaster Mid-Upper Gunner. He sadly passed away two springs ago, aged 95. He said just before his final departure, "I am now just too tired". Freddie told lots of anecdotes, of which I was in complete awe. One of these anecdotes referred to the skipper on a bombing a target in Germany. He told us they hugged land on the way back, flying so low over Holland they were literally hopping over buildings. Out over the North Sea, they were so low sea spray was hitting his upper turret. He told they all asked the skipper if he was at all worried about flying so low. The Skipper replied "Don't worry chaps, I have done this many times." Upon landing, the Skipper told them, "I forget to add in my sleep". Freddie survived numerous serious illnesses in old age. Each time the nurses would tell his wife to expect the worst very soon, but each time he would suddenly sit up in bed and ask for a Gin and Tonic. His wife told us he survived 35 missions and the worst he suffered was a scratch on one arm, so it seems not even the Good Lord can do anything to him.

Wish I had seen this when dad was alive - he was in 617 as tail gunner - he never talked about his time in the war until near his death. I found his log book and never realised what he went though - so proud of him and all the other young men and women.

Thank you Jack Currie for all you did for us.

As a Yank I owe my freedom not only to my grandfather who flew out of Britain during WWII on a B-17 (gunner) I also owe it to the many British and Commonwealth soldiers, sailors, airman, as well as support personnel of WWII. They were truly the greatest generation. Respect and honor

I knew a navigator on Lancs who flew two tours and was decorated DFC and bar. He didn’t like to talk about his experiences much. He had some terrible burn scars on his legs. He did say once that his job was like doing a very complicated maths exam in the dark and cold while people were trying to kill you. He was a modest man and had some serious grit about him. I liked him a lot. RIP Paddy.

I had the honor and privilege to meet jack many times in the George Hotel in Easingwold...he was a friend of my uncle called Shifter who introduced me....as time goes by the more you appreciate and respect every day what they did for us....so we must never forget..... i wont and i tell my children teach them what they sacrificed so they wont forget..... RIP Jack and thank you

I worked in the NHS on an elderly patients ward and met Eric Stables who was a Lancaster pilot, he told me he was shot down over Germany and escaped back to England with help from a network of underground people and returned to flying duties within a few months.A very brave highly intelligent man who I respected and admired and very sadly saw him pass away. Rest in peace Eric.

What a wonderful rendition of the life of a crew in Lancasters. My uncle was an RAAF pilot in No. 90 Squadron out of Tuddenham, unfortunately failed to return from his 10th mission, and is now buried with his entire crew at Beklinden, Germany. Thank you all for your wonderful service. Stewart, Australia.

Great documentary.. my uncle was Flt Lt N Stent who was a Lanc pilot with 100 Sqd. He was KIA in Feb ‘43. I’m lucky enough to have his logbook.

Every bomber crew were very brave men, the odds were always stacked against them, yet they got in there planes and did their duty. Over fifty five thousand of them never returned and i salute every member of bomber command.

My uncle Mat Dale flew in a Lancaster Bomber during World War 11. He was a navigator and flew 83 missions. God knows how he did it. Thank you for the video, i really liked it.

Thank you.....everyone of you...I have no doubt that I may owe my life to you, brave, and frightened young men.....rest in peace....your duty done.

Classic. Who needs spice when you have Currie. Priceless. I thank you Jack.

Brilliant doco and a great man. A cousin of mine with RNZAF was a Pilot Officer with 49 Sq and flew Lancs surviving a tour of 25 Ops..49 Sq originally based at Scampton was moved to a new airfield at Fiskerton on 2nd Jan 1943 to make way for the newly formed 617 Dambusters Squadron. So many never made it back and this is why we will never forget....

My grateful thanks for this wonderful glimpse of Jack Currie and the Lancaster. These men have been my biggest heroes all of my 80 years of life. They lived on the edge of death but never wavered. I thank them all for my freedom. RIP Jack.

Absolute respect to all the men who served. My early years were spent listening to family talking about the war and it spurred me on to join the raf in 1984 . Best days of my life but luckily i didnt go through what the elders did. Many thanks to you all aircrew and erks alike.

Wonderful to see & hear Jack Currie here. Never had the honour of meeting him, so thankyou to whoever put this clip up. First read Lancaster Target when I was about 8yrs old. 30yrs later it’s still on my shelf, rather battered and worn through overuse. Along with its prequel and sequel, I still take it down every year or so for a re-read and it’s still as fresh, as inspiring and as haunting as the first read. It remains probably the best, most evocative memoir of Bomber Command through its darkest period: boredom, operations, fear, terror, loss, death, comradeship and occasional hilarity. And Currie is a wonderful writer, with a knack for storytelling. Probably one of my Desert Island books. Also visited the East Kirkby Lancaster a year or two ago, and had my copy stashed in my bag. Certainly adds an extra something to Jack’s narrative, there’s parts of it where it gets a bit of a squeeze if you’ve got long legs, with sharp edges everywhere to trip over or bang your shins or head against. Horrifying to imagine trying to escape it in an emergency, in the dark and hurtling towards the ground, or thinking of how Johnny Walker “banged his nut” while being thrown around in the fuselage as their Lancaster plunged through that storm on the way back from Hamburg.

Our friend Australian Engineer Gordon Hall went on 57 missions with Bomber Command. Came home too and married the love of his life.

Read his three books covering his US training, Lancaster time and finally on Mosquitos. A truly gifted writer as well as a truly brave man, one of many thousands of heroic men and women of that era. Hats off and much respect to that generation.

He comes across in his books very much as he does in this film, witty yet quite matter of fact and and to the point. Now reading 'Mosquito Victory'. A fine man. RIP.

Just watched this documentary then at the end it said “he now lives in Easingwold” that’s where I live. Shame he died in 1996, he’s buried in the church in Easingwold. Amazing man

What a marvellous film this is. Remember my mum and dad saying as kids that they felt safe hearing the roar of the Merlin’s forming up over their heads during the war as they watched above. Growing up I also revered the Lanc just as much. It wasn’t until I got up close and personal doing the taxy run at East Kirby that I felt it a much more sinister piece of Thirties technology designed to kill and send so many young men to their premature deaths. Astonishing experience all the same and massive respect to the likes of Jack Currie....

Awesome, so glad to have found this. My grandfather served with 467 Squadron (RAAF) out of Waddington. He was aircrew - wireless operator

I've just watched this documentary, brilliant, as I have a friend who was a rear gunner in a Lancaster, his name George Manuel, I have a few interviews with him as he wanted to talk about his stories. We love him to bits, he is now 98 and still going strong. Bless you, George, you are an inspiration to us all.

Fascinating, particularly the tour round the Lanc. Not easy to move around in. Films like these have to be preserved as part of our heritage. We will Remember them, we will Remember them.

The most beautiful bomber of the war and a fascinating video! Thank you all! From a thankful and awestruck Yank!

Thank you. The film has given me some insight into my Dad's life as a Lancaster bomber Navigator. Wish I'd been able to chat with him about it. As it is, my only connection is a strong psychological reaction every time I hear the sound of these engines.

I've been trying to find documentary this for 25+ years.....brilliant, superb, enthralling and fascinating. It saddens me that most of these great hero’s have passed. The music still has the same effect on me now as it did in 1980....

What a fantastic piece of film!! RIP Jack, I wish we'd met.

I recorded this with my very first video recorder back in 1980, and still watch it occasionally. There were in fact two separate programmes....Currie only featured in this one.... I bought his book : Lancaster Target. It is a beautifully written, and gripping tale of his and his crew's exploits during those dark days. He later wrote a second book, 'Mosquito Victory' detailing his career after operations on the Lancaster. He became a pathfinder, and saw out the war flying the 'wooden crate'. He was and still is a hero of mine....RIP Jack.

A great man and understated hero. A man of character was Jack and all his compatriots who endured those grim days of sacrifice performing their duty unselfishly in Bomber Command. Much respect and appreciation to Jacks’ and his crew’s memory. Their legacy of selfless courage remembered with deepest admiration and gratitude.

Can’t find the right words to say Thankyou ,Lest we forget

Kept his locker key in his pocket as a lucky charm .... nice story, this piece of metal had probably more value for him than any orher object he could get.

i am 70 now ,,but as a child in england in the small market town kingslynn ..there was a man who was badly burnt ,lancaster bomber crew ,,he always rode his bycycle with his shirt open ,horribly burnt poor man ,but as a small child he frightened me ,,i ran in the house and told my mum he scared me ,,she then told me how brave he was ,and what had hurt him so bad ,,after that i always waved to him ,,,,,,poor buggers ..there is a RAF cemetery in cambridgeshire,, it looks like a field of white wheat as far as you can see ,,also the brave american bomber crews who suffered so many losses ,,,,,as a teen before i came to canada i had the privaledge of a specatator at the filming BATTLE OF BRITAIN ,,,,,,god bless these brave boys ,,titanium balls and nerves of steel ,,

Here's to you, Jack. Thank you.

Never seen this before,but absolutely loved it,nothing but respect for everyone of these heroes ❤

I worked with an older friendly man when I first started working in the early 80's.I learned from my co-workers that he was a bomber pilot during WW2.He never said and I never asked.I had great respect for him and it was a pleasure to work with him.

To them ... we owe ! Our 💖 FREEDOM 👍 & ~ Eternal 🔥😍GRATITUDE ✔

in Rememberance of All the Young Men of RAF Bomber Command we remember you & love you still

I worked thirty years in the CAF Search and Rescue on Buffalos and Labrador helicopters. So much of this is so real to me I can actually smell it . Thanks for this.

"Its ok skip, Its baked hard now" Classic!

I was lucky enough to spend time with a Wickenby Lancaster veteran a few years ago. A nicer and man you will not meet. This excellent film has brought back happy memories. Thank you to each and every one of those crews.

Oh my word! Having read all of Jack Currie's books, I am staggered to stumble across this! Thank you SO much for having posted it!!

My dad was a fitter/mechanic on Lancaster bomber engines - he kept them ticking along. One of the unsung heroes, men and women who kept the aircrews safely aloft.

Rip Jack you are forever in our thoughts.

Brilliant narration. The polite banter over the intercom indicated the certain flavor of offhand intrepidness that you Brits seem to be born with. Almost fell out of my chair when Currie related "...he had been passing wind and followed through a little strong..." It's a known liability of unpressurized high altitude flying, but I'm still chuckling.

Brilliant. Thank you. We owe so much to these men.

I'm sorry that his wonderful documentary on the Augsburg raid is taken down.

They are all my heroes.. Never forgotten. Rest in peace.. Fly high with the angles. Freedom is never free... Lest we forget. ❤

Gentle, informative, evocative. Thank you for posting.

My father was an instrument fitter on Lancaster's . Loved the aircraft and the crews he tried to protect by doing his job . Canada .

True legend and hero... thank you for what you did for us

Fantastic documentary about RAF Bomber Command , very brave men for sure ! I take it is Richard Todd he himself a Decorated British Para who jumped on D-Day. Marvelous presentation by Mr Currie . Great set of pipes as was Mr Todd. Would have been honored to shake both of their hands ! Thanks for posting this , terrible history we need not forget ! A few years ago I made it a point from day one to visit and pay my respects at The RAF Bomber Command memorial in London ! Very moving experience ! Lest We Forget! TC

What a great documentary, I really enjoyed it. When I was a teenager, I had the honour of being friends with Flt Lt Trevor Muhl who was a bomb aimer with 617 Dambuster squadron. He wasn't on the dams raid, but he did drop Tallboy and Grand Slam bombs later in the war. He is buried in the churchyard in the village where I live.

Len Deighton's Bomber novel is a great read.Recreates a typical raid in 1943.

So pleased to have come across this video,we visited East Kirkby last month and watched as the Lancasters engines fired up. It brings a lump to your throat just hearing and feeling the Merlins roar. Everyone should make the pilgrimage a wonderful place. This fantastic film and his character comes shining through,what a real hero ,every boys perfect image of his kind! Thank you all for your service Rip

An absolute MUST SEE for anyone and everyone who has lived their past century or so in relative freedom and safety.

I am lucky as a carer because i live-in and care for George Harris DFC who at the grand age of 94 is still doing well. He was a Lancaster pilot during the war and trained in the USA before returning to the UK. He tells me that he Pranged a halifax losing half a lung in the process ( i have seen the scares) and bashing up his first Lanc. He flew with 101 squadron from Ludford Magna and If you have a copy of Bomber Squadron at War you can see a picture of him on page 192 standing in the middle of a crew photograph with his hands on his hips. He is currently reading Jack Currie's book Wings over Georgia which he says mimics his life in so many ways.

Thanks for this! It gives me tears in my eyes seeing these heroes!

I particularly like this film because it reflects how terrifying and deadly this activity was. Currie was a legend.

we must never forget about these great men in bomber command RIP GENTLEMEN

Iwas born in lissington and remember many hrs of fun exploring the old wickenby base also went to school in wickenby

Legend ,,,, tracked him down and spoke to his wife just too late just missed out on meeting the man I will always regret that Read the book whatever you do best written on the subject very moving

Very enjoyable and sometimes chilling trip down memory lane.

Smashing film. Jack Currie has been a hero of mine since I read his brilliant books. It really must have been strange "commuting" to Battle every day!

The finest generation, proud to say my dad and his generation, and these men who flew in these missions stand along side giants of history, bless am all.

I was recently asked to write a commemorative poem about the life of those that flew in Bombers, hope you don't mind but the feed in this film gave a good taste of life aboard the Lancaster, thanking Jack & all the other crew that helped to keep this country free.

The book is a great read....highly recommended

Respect to everyone of you. Thank you for what you gave :)

A lot of the combat footage is from Night Bombers out at Hemswell. The pub is in Lissington which is a couple of miles north east of Wickenby. The airfield overfly at the end doesn't quite look like Wickenby although it's been dug up a lot since 1980. There's a black and white section of an airfield construction near the beginning. That could be Skelly as you can see what looks like Burton ridge in the background. And if my memory serves correctly he was a lucky soul as more aircrew died from Wickenby than at any other station. The airfield is still going and I did a few hours there in the late 90's. There are a few guys still around Lincoln. I did a job a few years ago for a pilot of Rhodesia Sqn who was 94 (I think) who lived on Hykeham Road. A proud (Welsh) man but not inclined to talk about the war.

If only more people in britain realised they stand on the shoulders of giants, we owe these so much for our todays, im lucky as my generation are the grandchildren of this generation and fondly remember men from all parts of the services when they was alive still and very much apart of the towns community's... To talk to and learn so much from....

May They All Rest In Peace We Will Remember Them All - Least We Forget

In Easingwold, Yorkshire, there is a pub with Currie Corner - the spot where he used to sit.

What a hero Jack was. You must be very proud of your father. We are too.

Brilliant, thanks for uploading it!!

Until I saw inside the aircraft I really never had any idea how difficult it was to move around the aircraft . No wonder so many never ever made it out of their aircraft when it was hit and sadly crashed to their death . Those men that flew in these aircraft were certainly very brave knowing their chances of completing a tour were very slim .

Brilliant post of a video I had never previously seen. Incredible recollections by SQNLDR Currie. I doubt we will ever see their like again. I will source his books now and fill in the whole story. Thanks for posting

I remember reading Jack Currie's account of the Peenemunde raid of Aug. 17, 1943. First class all the way.

Wonderful documentary. Thanks for posting. I can highly recommend Mr Currie's books too.

I've also been looking for this for 30 years. Fabulous vid. Thanks so much for posting.

bloody brilliant video. Lest we forget.

Jack was almost exactly a year older than my dad who started ops in June 44 as a Pilot Officer on Lancs, with 49 Sq. I was a total idiot at 21 and my dad was in charge of a crew over enemy territory at the same age....Sheeesh.

I visited Wickenby today and cycled to Snelland. It doesn't change. God bless the men ( and WAAFS) of Bomber Command . The bravest of the brave.

Currie was amazing, his three books have been read so many times but, they still inspire me. We Brits produce these people in times of need and if you believe in the Round Table, Albion will always win

Our inspector of Schools, during the 1960's and early 1970's, was a rear gunner on the Lancaster bomber. He spoke to us on Remembrance Day about how lucky and blessed he was to survive the war. Most of the important merchants and leaders in our University town, Antigonish, Nova Scotia Canada had fought in the war. They had an authority and swagger that came from their responsibility and leadership. As students we knew that they demanded and received respect. To a man they said how ugly war is and how fortunate they were to survive when so many did not live to see the end of the war. May the souls of those who died rest in peace and may light perpetual shine upon them. Amen.

This should be placed onto a DVD . ,including his story of RAF East Kirkby

Superb film. Thanks for uploading such an interesting and important reminder.

Outstanding video. Thank you for posting.

Lest We Forget... Thank god these brave guys aren't around now.......to see the mess the world is still in. "Was the sacrifice worth it".

Fantastic,what a lovely surprise to find this. I have to say lancaster targer is one of my fav ww2 books.thanks for uploading old boy

What an amazing documentary… thanks 🙏🏻

That was just fantastic to watch wow what a film brilliant 👏 🇬🇧🇬🇧

So much admiration for my father's generation and it looks like we are about to piss it up against a wall!

I love stuff like this. Thank you.

Just bought the book, excellent reading. I'd also recommend "Bomber" by Len Deighton if you want to read more about the Lanc.

Thanks for posting this documentary up. Never knew that a new crew was a 'sprog', it's the name I've always called new babies. My maternal grandpa was Squadron-Leader Gordon (pop) Hawes, he was a Pathfinder who flew in 62 sorties for 635 Squadron where he was a Navigator. His only injury was getting the heal of his shoe blown off and on one sortie to bomb Hitler at the 'Eagles nest' they missed him by half an hour. It was interesting to hear Jack's description of life on the base and tour of the inside area in the plane and the different positions including the navigators spot (12:18). On another post I learned about the FIDO system which helped planes to land during thick fog. Aircraft fuel was pumped under pressure through pipes with holes which were laid along either side of the runway where they set light to the pipes so the planes landed between the blazing fuel lines. Pop died in our home in Somerset around 1986.

16:45 Nice song called “ I’ll get by” by Carroll Gibbons, good lads all of them

I read an account of what it was like to be a bomber pilot. He said imagine having explosives around your neck and carrying 2 buckets of highly flammable petrol in each hand. You enter a dark room and the people in there know you are coming. You find where to leave your explosives and find your way out all the time these people are looking for you and if they find you, they will set you on fire. Pretty basic but that is essentially what it must have been like.

Watch this so many times, one word for them all, Heroes and not forgotten