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| Bomber Harris |
Because of continuing controversy around the government policy of "area bombing" in WW2 there has never been a proper memorial to the 55,000 air crew plus greater numbers of civilians who died as a result of taking part in and suffering from bombing raids. Nowadays we could just take out the bridges, railways, motorways and strategic communication hubs - back in 1940 "only one in three attacking aircraft got within five miles of their target"
Recently, and still controversial, a memorial has been built in Green Park.
Having seen the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight on Sunday and coming across this statue on my way back to Euston station I thought I should go and pay my respects.
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| Four Merlins and a Griffon |
There was a big police presence positioned in the streets around Leicester Square - expecting some form of trouble or demonstration? Said one PC: "No, it is the Superman premiere ...and Russel Crowe is in town"
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| The memorial is at the West end of Green Park |
There were a great many people paying their respects and discussing the bombing campaign and the part played in it by family members and others (My physics teacher was a Lancaster navigator). Also the shame that it took nearly 70 years for the memorial to be authorised and constructed.
I found it all very calm, peaceful and I suffered a bit of welling up - especially on reading the note pinned to the roses...
It reads
"To the brave men of Bomber Command on 70th anniversary of the Dambusters raids - thank you for our freedom. I will never forget. Joanna Lampard"
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There is a 24 hour police guard at the memorial - I asked why and was directed to...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2333229/Caught-camera-Vandal-desecrated-Bomber-Command-War-Memorial-graffiti-murder-Lee-Rigby.html
"but police are not sure if it was carried out by Muslim protesters or far-right groups trying to stir up trouble"
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