Mervyn Stafford, as a Flying Officer, was interviewed by Laurence (Laurie) Field about his service in 460 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) during the Second World War.
He did not think he could be a pilot, and wanted to go into the radio part of the air force, but was placed into the training program and became a multi-engine pilot. Like the thousands of others who flew bombers, he had no idea what was ahead when he volunteered. There never had been a campaign in air warfare like that over Germany 1940-45, and there will not be again. Those men in the Allied heavy bomber fleets comprise a unique group of men.
This account of Stafford's tour of duty flying Avro Lancasters on 460 Squadron RAAF 1943-44 is, of course, like many others described by the veterans themselves or other authors. However, in this account, as well as descriptions of the success or failure of the raids from German or RAF sources, the reports by crews after the raid give a personal aspect to the experiences and the opinions of pilots of varying degrees of experience. Stafford's reports are included.Mervyn Stafford, as a Flying Officer, was interviewed by Laurence (Laurie) Field about his service in 460 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) during the Second World War.
He did not think he could be a pilot, and wanted to go into the radio part of the air force, but was placed into the training program and became a multi-engine pilot. Like the thousands of others who flew bombers, he had no idea what was ahead when he volunteered. There never had been a campaign in air warfare like that over Germany 1940-45, and there will not be again. Those men in the Allied heavy bomber fleets comprise a unique group of men.
This account of Stafford's tour of duty flying Avro Lancasters on 460 Squadron RAAF 1943-44 is, of course, like many others described by the veterans themselves or other authors. However, in this account, as well as descriptions of the success or failure of the raids from Ge
