Never Mind The Dambusters

‘Even heroes have a breakdown point. Honour and moral fibre are variables. Like pain, the threshold is different in each of us.’
- Phillip Gray, Bomber Pilot.
This week, Jane discusses the issue of psychiatric casualties in Bomber Command, with Dr. Dan Ellin (University of Lincoln and International Bomber Command Centre) and Mary Brazier (mental health professional). They explore the treatment of mental health issues during World War II and the differences between psychology and psychiatry. They also discuss the RAF's lack of moral fibre policy and the stigma surrounding psychiatric casualties. The conversation touches on the comparison between the RAF and other services, such as the US Army Air Force, and the different approaches to mental health care. Jane, Mary and Dan explore the use of anaesthesia and the importance of sleep and rest in forward psychiatric units during World War II.
The team delves into the lack of moral fibre policy (and the many myths surrounding it) and how post-war understanding was influenced by changing medical beliefs and veterans' hopes for recognition. The fear of being labelled lacking in moral fibre was a real threat for aircrews and was equated with cowardice. The impact of the policy may have been exaggerated, but it was an effective deterrent. The conversation also touches on the social constructs of mental health and the challenges of language and terminology.
Further reading:
Dr Dan Ellin's articles and MA thesis:
https://t.co/v9q3hTwfgK
https://t.co/k50xdX7mv6
https://t.co/uimXeVoTg5
Jane Gulliford Lowes https://www.justcuriousjane.com/lack-of-moral-fibre-part-2-origins/
We've listed more titles in the transcript section of the show notes.

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Thank you for listening! You can reach out to us on social media at @RAF_BomberPod (X) or @NeverMindTheDambusters (Instagram)
You can find out about James' research, articles, lectures and podcasts here .
You can read more about Jane's work on her website at https://www.justcuriousjane.com/, and listen to podcasts/media stuff here

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🔒 (PREMIUM) Episode 26 - A Canadian Bomber Crew in Training / Your Questions Answered

Never Mind The Dambusters

11/23/24 • 46 min

*** Episode on general release Wednesday 27th November
This week, Jane and James explore the training of bomber crews, and the perilous nature of life at the OTUs and HCUs. They discuss the training structure, the tragic story of a training flight that ended in disaster for the Canadian crew, and the importance of memorializing those who lost their lives in training. Jane talks about a new bomber command memorial and tells a story very close to her heart.
The episode also includes viewer questions about WAAFs on board bombers, volunteering for additional ops, post-war careers for aircrew, the Italian Star campaign medal, dual control aircraft and numerous other bits and pieces!
You can read more about the Slingley Bomber Crash here
We'll post some pictures of the new memorial to the crew on our social media. We also have a new Facebook page/group - here's the link if you want to join.

Episode 15- ARNHEM : Glider Pilots and Bomber Tugs, with Matt Yates.

Never Mind The Dambusters

09/10/24 • 55 min

The History of the Glider Pilot Regiment by Claude Smith.

This week we discuss the role of RAF bomber aircraft as glider tugs in the Arnhem airlift and airborne operations. We're joined by Matt Yates, the Chief Operations Officer for the Vickers Machine Gun Collection and Research Association, and owner of the Chalk Glider Pilot Regiment Collection.
Matt provides insight into the formation of the Glider Pilot Regiment, highlighting the close collaboration between glider pilots, and their tug crews, who were normally seconded from Bomber Squadrons. We debate the challenges and successes of various airborne operations, including Operations Freshman, Husky, and Tonga.
We go on to discuss Operation Market Garden - a complex and ambitious plan to secure a foothold in Germany by capturing key bridges in the Netherlands and paving the way for a rapid advance into Germany. However, the operation faced challenges, including the loss of the element of surprise, intelligence issues, overconfidence, and a shortage of aircraft. The glider pilot regiment and their bomber crew tugs played a crucial role in transporting troops and supplies, but faced heavy anti-aircraft fire and suffered significant casualties. We also discuss the supply role of transport command. The operation ultimately fell short of its objectives, highlighting the difficulties and risks of large-scale airborne operations.
Links:
Arnhem: Myth & Reality, by Sebastian Ritchie
Jane's article: Bring Up The Piat!
Matt's recommendations:
Glider Pilots at Arnhem by Mike Peters and Luuk Buist.

Arnhem Lift by Louis Hagen (a German Jew who fled Germany and joined the British Army)

Arnhem by Martin Middlebrook.

A Noble Pair of Brothers by Wing Commander DH Wood. Gives a full history of 3

🔒 (PREMIUM) Episode 39 - Night Fighter Offensive, With Stuart Burbridge

Never Mind The Dambusters

03/15/25 • 50 min

***Episode on general release Wednesday 19th March 2025.

In this episode of Never Mind the Dambusters, hosts Jane Gulliford-Lowes and James Jefferies are joined by historian Stuart Burbridge to discuss the often-overlooked aspect of the RAF Bomber Command's offensive against Luftwaffe night fighters during World War II. The conversation covers the technological innovations, strategies, and the psychological impact of the night fighter campaign, as well as the statistical analysis of its effectiveness. Stuart shares insights from his research and personal connection to Bomber Command, providing a comprehensive overview of this critical aspect of air warfare.

Takeaways

The night fighter campaign was a significant threat to Bomber Command.
Stuart Burbridge's personal connection to Bomber Command shaped his research.
Technological innovations like the Serrate Homer were crucial in countering night fighters.
100 Group was established to confound and destroy enemy night fighters.
The Nuremberg raid highlighted the vulnerabilities of Bomber Command.
Statistical analysis reveals the effectiveness of the night fighter offensive.
The Luftwaffe had a psychological fear of the Mosquito aircraft.
The introduction of new radar systems improved the RAF's night fighting capabilities.
The campaign evolved through several distinct phases from 1942 to 1945.
Stuart plans to write a book covering the broader aspects of the night fighter campaign.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates
02:40 The Night Fighter Campaign: An Overview
04:21 Stuart's Personal Connection to Bomber Command
07:41 The Threat of Night Fighters in 1943
14:35 Technological Innovations Against Night Fighters
19:41 The Structure of the Night Fighter Campaign
27:51 Evolution of Radar Technology in WWII
29:41 The Seven Phases of the RAF Offensive
36:02 Statistical Analysis of Night Fighter Campaigns
41:15 Luftwaffe's Perspective on RAF Night Fighters
48:36 Conclusions and Future Directions
50:11 Show intro.wav

Episode 10 Researching Your Bomber Command Ancestor

Never Mind The Dambusters

07/30/24 • 59 min

We answer the question we get asked most frequently - "How do I go about researching someone who served with RAF Bomber Command?"
In this episode, we discuss how to research ancestors or family members who served with RAF Bomber Command during World War II. We provide a guide to tackling this topic and share own own experiences. We'll cover topics such as obtaining service records, using the London Gazette, exploring Squadron records, contacting Squadron Associations and utilizing genealogy websites.
Patience, persistence, and thinking outside the box when conducting research is key!
We'll explain how to access and research the service records of RAF personnel, and provide guidance on finding digitized records at the National Archives, paying for digitization services, and visiting the archives in person. We'll also be highlighting the importance of Squadron Diaries and Operational Record Books in understanding an ancestor's military service, using Commonwealth War Graves Records and the International Bomber Command Centre Losses Database, finding information on casualties, and the challenges of researching ground crew.
Finally, we answer questions from listeners about tracking complete service records and finding photographs of training units..
To make things easier for you, here's a list of links to all the resources we talk about in this episode. You can also read an article based on this episode on Jane's website, https://www.justcuriousjane.com/
Obtain UK service records
Obtain RCAF service records
Obtain RAAF service records
Obtain RNZAF service records
London Gazette
The National Archives (including Casualty files )
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
International Bomber Command Centre Losses Database
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🔒 (PREMIUM) Episode 17 - Masters of the Air, with Abby Whitlock

Never Mind The Dambusters

09/20/24 • 41 min

*This episode will be publicly available on Wednesday 25 September 2024
This week, host Jane Gulliford Lowes engages with American historian Abby Whitlock to explore the portrayal of the bombing campaigns during World War II in the series 'Masters of the Air'. They discuss Abby's personal journey into military aviation history, the cultural perceptions of RAF and USAAF crews, the representation of German civilians, and the themes of chivalry and heroism. The conversation also delves into the psychological toll of combat and the differences in how these narratives are portrayed in American and British media.
The infamous (well in the UK anyway!) pub scene in MOTA ep.2 ( the fight between the US and RAF aircrews) is debated, and Abby and Jane also mull over the legacy of 'Band of Brothers' and 'The Pacific' .
You can read more about Abby and her work here .
You can also read Abby's article on Band of Brothers, which Jane references in this episode, here.

🔒 (PREMIUM) Ep. 32 - Bomber Command VCs (Pt 1) - Gray and Garland

Never Mind The Dambusters

01/25/25 • 34 min

** Episode on general release Wednesday 29 January 2025
In a change to our usual format, this episode focuses on the Victoria Cross winners from RAF Bomber Command, specifically Sergeant Thomas Gray and Flying Officer Donald Garland. Over the course of the current series, we'll be telling the stories of other men who received the British Military's highest award for gallantry "in the presence of the enemy".
We begin by discussing the history and significance of the Victoria Cross, the profiles of the two airmen, and the context of their bravery during the early days of World War II. The conversation delves into the operations of the Advanced Air Striking Force, the challenges faced during the Phoney War, and the tragic outcomes of a specific mission to destroy bridges in Belgium in May 1940. The episode concludes with reflections on the legacy of the Fairy Battle aircraft and the sacrifices made by the aircrew, emphasizing the importance of remembering their valour and the impact of their actions during the war.

🔒 (PREMIUM) Episode 34 Writing the Bomber War - The Official Histories Controversy, with Professor Alan Allport

Never Mind The Dambusters

01/28/25 • 44 min

*** Episode on general release Wednesday 12 February 2025
Who writes history, and why?
In this episode, we are delighted to welcome back Professor Alan Allport to discuss the British "Official Histories" of the strategic bombing campaign. We explore the origins, authors, and public perception of these histories, as well as the arguments presented by Sir Charles Webster and Noble Frankland. Our conversation delves into the challenges faced during the publication process, the reactions from military figures, including a right old ding-dong with with Sir Arthur Harris, and the "dirty tricks campaign" waged by elements of the British press against Frankland.
Alan explains how the histories, and the reaction to them, influenced modern interpretations of the bombing campaign.
This is a must-listen for anyone studying or interested in the historiography of Bomber Command.
(Apologies for any spaniel barking in the background we didn't manage to edit out!)
Frankland's book about writing the official history is a thought-provoking read, and highly-recommended. It's called History at War, and you can get it here:
You can follow Alan on bluesky at https://bsky.app/profile/alanallport.bsky.social and read about his work here. Look out for the follow up to the wonderful Britain at Bay , Advance Britannia, later this year.

Episode 7 - The Avro Lancaster, with Dr Sarah-Louise Miller

Never Mind The Dambusters

06/18/24 • 33 min

Jane and James interview Dr. Sarah Louise Miller about her new book on the Avro Lancaster, The Lancaster Story. They discuss the significance of the Lancaster in RAF Bomber Command during World War II and its cultural impact. They also explore the personal stories and experiences of those involved with the Lancaster, including ground crew and WAAFs. Sarah shares her research process and the new perspectives she brings to the history of the Lancaster.
The team discuss some of the lesser-known life-saving missions of the Lancaster, such as the MANNA and EXODUS operations, which are often overshadowed by the aircraft's destructive capabilities. They also highlight the vital role of the WAAF in supporting the Royal Air Force (RAF) and challenge the narrative that women were merely support workers. The conversation touches on the importance of representing women's contributions in historical narratives and the need for more accurate and inclusive storytelling. The guests also discuss the challenges and emotional impact of researching and writing about these topics, and Sarah talks about her new project, telling the story of Hawaiian women in the aftermath of Pearl Harbor.
Keywords
Avro Lancaster, RAF Bomber Command, World War II, cultural impact, personal stories, ground crew, WAAF, research process, new perspectives, Women's Auxiliary Air Force, MANNA, EXODUS, , support workers, representation, historical narratives, challenges, emotional impact

Episode 28 - The Auschwitz Debate, with Dr Waitman Beorn

Never Mind The Dambusters

12/11/24 • 44 min

WARNING: This episode includes discussion of issues surrounding the Holocaust and genocide which some listeners may find distressing.
In this episode, the hosts engage in a profound discussion with Dr. Waitman Beorn about the controversial topic of whether the Allies could and should have bombed Auschwitz during World War II. They explore the historical context, the knowledge the Allies had about the Holocaust, the technological capabilities of air power at the time, and the moral implications of such a decision. The conversation delves into the complexities of wartime decision-making and the tragic consequences of inaction, ultimately questioning the Allies' response to the Holocaust.
You can read more about Waitman's work here
Marching into Darkness: The Wehrmacht in Belarus
Also discussed in this episode: Michael Neufeld (Editor): The Bombing of Auschwitz.