It's National Bomber Command Day

A public service will take place today, hosted by the International Bomber Command centre in Lincoln, to celebrate the Battle of Britain.

After 2021 saw the 85th anniversary of Bomber Command's formation, to recognise the special milestone, the Chief executive of the International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC), Nicky Van De Drift, launched the day to become an integral part of the RAF's annual cycle.

The event will feature standards from across the county, readings, the laying of wreaths and the playing of the Last Post.

Each year the Battle of Britain Day is highlighted, to remember the bravery of those involved. September 1940 was a pivotal moment in World War 2; the Battle if lost, would have had a profound impact on the outcome of the war.

In a speech paying tribute to The Few, Churchill said:

“We must never forget that all the time, night after night... our Bomber Squadrons travel far into Germany... often under the heaviest fire, often with serious loss....and inflict shattering blows upon... the technical and war-making structure of Nazi power."

Missions similar to this continued until 1945 and losses sustained were the heaviest of any campaign in WW2, with all those in battle- volunteers.

Albert Speer, Hitler’s Minister for Armaments, once said:

“Germany’s failure to defeat Bomber Command was Germany’s greatest lost battle of the whole war. The Strategic Bomber Offensive did more damage to the German war effort than losing every battle in Russia…”

The International Bomber Command Centre, which opened on 30th January 2018, was created to provide a world-class facility to serve as a point for recognition, remembrance and reconciliation for Bomber Command.

Since opening the Centre has welcomed over 285,000 visitors from 48 different countries, and has received 23 different awards for interpretation, innovation, ethical, sustainable and responsible tourism, international tourism, heritage and education.

Also, the centre has received the county’s first Visit England Gold Award and is the first Gold Accolade holder, one of only 26 in the UK’s 2021 round.

Now in 2022, as part of the development of the event, the service during the afternoon of Thursday 28th July will be open to the public.

Beginning at 2pm, those in attendance will commemorate the achievements and impact of Bomber Command from 1936-1968.

The event takes place at the Memorial Spire at the International Bomber Command Centre, Canwick Avenue, Lincoln, LN4 2HQ.