'Tonight you are going to the Big City. You will have the opportunity to
light a fire in the belly of the enemy that will burn his black heart
out.' The message from Commander-in-Chief of RAF Bomber Command Sir
Arthur Harris was clear. As the Second World War continued into a fifth
year, the airmen of Bomber Command were to fly deep into hostile
airspace and bring the war direct to the German Nazi capital Berlin.
From the autumn of 1943 to the last days of winter in early 1944, during
the hours of extended darkness, the bomber crews braved the flak, the
searchlights, enemy night fighters and extremes of weather, to bombard
the 'black heart'. Prior to the all-out campaign against the 'Big City'
Sir Arthur Harris firmly believed his bomber force could break the
German will to wage war, but he also prophesied that 'It will cost us
between 400 and 500 aircraft'.
Fighting High Publishing brings together acclaimed Bomber Command
historians to tell the story of some of the thousands of airmen who
failed to return from operations as part of the 1943 and 1944 Bomber
Command Battle of Berlin. The authors, utilizing family archives,
personal testimony and records, wartime memoirs, diaries and letters,
witness recollections, logbooks, and official documents, piece together
the remarkable, yet ultimately tragic events surrounding the losses
described. Illustrated throughout with previously unpublished black and
white and color photographs Bomber Command Battle of Berlin Failed to
Return ensures the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice is
kept alive. 'We Will Remember Them'.
