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Bomber Crew

Name: Bomber Crew
Author: With Additional Jack E. Thompson Dfc
ISBN: 9781412067157

by With Additional Jack E. Thompson Dfc, Stephen Thompson

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Overview

Bomber Crew was self-published by the author, Jack E. Thompson, in 1989. This second edition has been re-published to acknowledge the 60th anniversary of VE-Day, to commemorate 2005 as the Year of the Veteran and to help celebrate the life of Jack E. Thompson (1923-2003). Some additional material including photographs, not available for the original version, have been added by the author's son, Stephen Thompson.

Bomber Crew is the record of a tour of duty of the crew of the Lancaster bomber G-George of Bomber Command 12 Squadron based at RAF base Wickenby, Lincolnshire. This is a story of the bonds formed among seven men, five Canadian with the RCAF and two English with the RAF, bonds that lasted their lifetimes. This is the story of the happenstance and chaos of "crewing up", of endless "practice, practice, practice" sessions, and the excitement and terror of late-night bombing runs over occupied Europe and deep into Germany.

The author and his crew would suggest that their tour was very ordinary and unremarkable. From data declassified post-war, they learned otherwise, that it was remarkable that these seven crew members survived the war and returned to civilian life. Only 40% of Bomber Command aircrew survived the war, and not all of those without physical or psychological injury.

Synopsis

Experiences of a mostly Canadian crew of a Lancaster bomber through one tour of duty in England and Europe during World War II.

About the Author, With Additional Jack E. Thompson Dfc

Jack Thompson (1923-2003) was born and raised in Peterborough, Ontario, then lived with his wife, Dorothy, for 57 years in Parry Sound, Ontario. Photography and downhill skiing were his passions. He was a photographer all his life, commercially and artistically. Until retirement in 1988, he had been editor of the Parry Sound North Star for 15 years. He served with the RCAF during World War II and was the pilot of Bomber Crew. Jack died in 2003, just days after his 80th birthday. He always felt that he had lived a life that allowed him to do everything he ever wished to do.