lancaster

The Lancaster bomber holds a special place of affection mingled with a great deal of pride in the hearts of British and Commonwealth citizens — feelings which perhaps find their parallel in the hearts of Americans toward the B-17 Flying Fortress. Just as the Spitfire epitomized the Commonwealth’s supreme spirit of defiance in the face of seemingly irresistible defeat, so the evening sight and sound of streams of Lancasters “heading out” toward the heartland of the German Reich was the ultimate translation of a war- weary people’s will to see the Nazi military and industrial machine — the source of colossal suffering for so much of the world — battered into oblivion.

"The Lancaster beyond doubt, was a major factor in beating the Nazi enemy down to defeat - as even the enemy admitted. No aircraft.....can be an effective weapon of war unless the aircrew that man them are of superlative quality.
This country, and its allies owe these young men, the Many that died, the Few that survived, a debt that can never be met in full. It is due to them and their kind in other Services, that Britain is not a mere slave market in a Nazi Empire. Never forget it."
Taken from a speech in 30/04/1977

The Lancaster Bomber

Part of a statement by
Marshal of the Royal Air Force
Sir Arthur T. Harris, Bt GCB, OBE, AFC, LLD.
Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Bomber Command. February 1942-September 1945

The Lancaster Bomber

Part of a statement by Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Arthur T. Harris, Bt GCB, OBE, AFC, LLD. Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Bomber Command. February 1942-September 1945

Part of a statement by
Marshal of the Royal Air Force
Sir Arthur T. Harris, Bt GCB, OBE, AFC, LLD.
Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Bomber Command. February 1942-September 1945