Taking an example of 100 airmen:-
55 killed on operations or died as result of wounds
3 injured (in varying levels of severity) on operations or active service
13 taken prisoner of war (some injured)
2 shot down and evaded capture
27 survived a tour of operations
Yes 27 survived out of 100. That is higher than the German U-Boat service who were recognised as being the highest rate of loss in the German Forces..
Truly a terrifying and of course we have to factor in training accidents. Making it a lot more than 56000.
And let us not forget the 26000 American Bomber crews lost on daylight operations flying from East Anglia. And that is just the heavy bomber war.. goodness knows what the total RAF/USAAF loss figures were for the war. Lest we forget.
In other news. Tis the end of the month and the end of my first year in Lincolnshire following the sad demise of my long relationship with a lady who no longer feels the need of my company!
It has been a good move and I find much in common with the people of lincolnshire. I think my forebears were fen or lowlanders as my name is a derivation of Flanders. Low land and wold folk have a determined streak near obstinacy tempered with a kindly disposition. In the main they are slow to rise and quick to laugh.
The countryside is hard worked farmland and can be cruel when the wind blows in those racing storms from the sea. However, it is an easy county to stand tall in with big canvas skies that show the coming weather an hour before it arrives.
I live betwixt the sea and the wolds, an ideal location for two totally contrasting vistas. The north sea and in my case the Humber Estuary are the extent eastwards for me and the thin strip of land between there and the wolds contains many charming coastal villages. The wolds is frankly beautiful with folding valleys and constant undulation of topography it would be very hard to tire of.
I never tire of exploring the region and finds are thick and fast. The names of the villages and the delight to find that many of them still have their own pub reminds me of an England I last remember in the 1960's. There is a pride in the people and a quiet strength that tolerates outsiders. I like it and think as a place to retire there is none better.
Ill write more of my explore in the coming weeks.
So, what of my first year away from those I once loved? It has been hard and many nights were spent getting used to being alone. I will say right now that if it had not been for the company of my old and dearest friend Bob then it would have been very much harder. Also, I think I got lucky in the house I brought.. It feels a happy house. Its no luxury villa, but it is a roof over my head and a warm place with the fire on to contemplate the past and hope for the future.
I can but hope that the year ahead will be a gentler and happier time and give time to heal wounds I thought I would never have. I really was in my marriage for the long haul and it was most surprising and heart breaking to loose one who I had placed such faith in.
Still, it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. I guess!
And let us not forget the 26000 American Bomber crews lost on daylight operations flying from East Anglia. And that is just the heavy bomber war.. goodness knows what the total RAF/USAAF loss figures were for the war. Lest we forget.
It has been a good move and I find much in common with the people of lincolnshire. I think my forebears were fen or lowlanders as my name is a derivation of Flanders. Low land and wold folk have a determined streak near obstinacy tempered with a kindly disposition. In the main they are slow to rise and quick to laugh.
The countryside is hard worked farmland and can be cruel when the wind blows in those racing storms from the sea. However, it is an easy county to stand tall in with big canvas skies that show the coming weather an hour before it arrives.
I live betwixt the sea and the wolds, an ideal location for two totally contrasting vistas. The north sea and in my case the Humber Estuary are the extent eastwards for me and the thin strip of land between there and the wolds contains many charming coastal villages. The wolds is frankly beautiful with folding valleys and constant undulation of topography it would be very hard to tire of.
Ill write more of my explore in the coming weeks.
So, what of my first year away from those I once loved? It has been hard and many nights were spent getting used to being alone. I will say right now that if it had not been for the company of my old and dearest friend Bob then it would have been very much harder. Also, I think I got lucky in the house I brought.. It feels a happy house. Its no luxury villa, but it is a roof over my head and a warm place with the fire on to contemplate the past and hope for the future.
I can but hope that the year ahead will be a gentler and happier time and give time to heal wounds I thought I would never have. I really was in my marriage for the long haul and it was most surprising and heart breaking to loose one who I had placed such faith in.
Still, it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. I guess!
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