RAF Bomber Command Memorial: Difference between revisions
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==The memorial== |
==The memorial== |
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The controversy over the tactics employed by RAF Bomber Command during the Second World War meant that an official |
The disgust [[Disgust]] and controversy over the tactics employed by RAF-[[Royal Air Force]] Bomber Command's "Butcher" or "Butch" Air Chief Marshal Arthur Harris [[Sir Arthur Harris, 1st Baronet]] in the destruction of civilians during the 14 February 1945 Dresden night-time area incendiary-high explosive area-bombing raids in the Second World War [[Bombing of Dresden]] meant that an official Bomber Command Memorial to the aircrews had been delayed for 67 years, ending a 67-year snub. Despite describing bombers as "the means of victory" in 1940, Prime Minister [[Winston Churchill]] did not mention Bomber Command in his speech at the end of the war.<ref>{{cite news |title=War Dead From Bomber Command Honoured |last=Harrison |first=Paul |url=http://news.sky.com/story/953481/war-dead-from-bomber-command-honoured |newspaper=Sky News |date=28 June 2012 |accessdate=28 June 2012}}</ref> |
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[[File:RAF Bomber Command Memorial, Green Park, London.JPG|thumb|left|Exterior of the memorial]] |
[[File:RAF Bomber Command Memorial, Green Park, London.JPG|thumb|left|Exterior of the memorial]] |
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Revision as of 23:04, 3 July 2012
| RAF Bomber Command Memorial | |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | |
 Sculpture within the memorial | |
| For the 55,573 aircrew of Bomber Command from Britain and the Commonwealth killed during the Second World War | |
| Unveiled | 28 June 2012 |
| Location | near |
| Designed by | Liam O'Connor (memorial) Philip Jackson (sculpture) |
The RAF Bomber Command Memorial is a memorial in Green Park in London, near Hyde Park Corner,[1] commemorating the aircrews of RAF Bomber Command who embarked on missions during the Second World War. The memorial was built to mark the sacrifice of 55,573 aircrew from Britain and across the Commonwealth of Nations and of civilians of all nations killed during raids.[2]
Elizabeth II officially opened the memorial on 28 June 2012, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.[3]
The memorial
The disgust Disgust and controversy over the tactics employed by RAF-Royal Air Force Bomber Command's "Butcher" or "Butch" Air Chief Marshal Arthur Harris Sir Arthur Harris, 1st Baronet in the destruction of civilians during the 14 February 1945 Dresden night-time area incendiary-high explosive area-bombing raids in the Second World War Bombing of Dresden meant that an official Bomber Command Memorial to the aircrews had been delayed for 67 years, ending a 67-year snub. Despite describing bombers as "the means of victory" in 1940, Prime Minister Winston Churchill did not mention Bomber Command in his speech at the end of the war.[4]
An appeal was made for £5.6 million to build the memorial, and funding came from donations made by the public, as well as substantial amounts from Lord Ashcroft,[5] and businessman John Caudwell.[6] Robin Gibb became a key figure behind the appeal, working alongside Jim Dooley to raise funds and have the memorial built.[7]
Liam O'Connor designed the memorial, built of Portland stone, which features a bronze 9-foot (2.7 m) sculpture of seven aircrew, designed by the sculptor Philip Jackson to look as though they have just returned from a bombing mission and left their aircraft.[3]
Aluminium from a Royal Canadian Air Force Handley Page Halifax of No. 426 Squadron RCAF that had crashed in Belgium in May 1944 was used to build the roof of the memorial, which was designed to evoke the styling of the Vickers Wellington. The Halifax had been removed from a swamp in 1997 with three of the crew found still at their posts. They were buried with full military honours in Geraardsbergen and the remains of the aircraft were sent to Canada. Some of the metal was used for the restoration of a Halifax in Ontario, and the rest was melted down by the Bomber Command Museum of Canada. The Museum provided ingots for the memorial to commemorate the 10,000 of 55,573 Bomber Command aircrew killed during the war that were Canadian.[8]
Opening
There had been controversy in the lead-up to the official opening, with a lack of forthcoming funds to pay for the projected £700,000 cost of the ceremony. A number of veterans put forward their own money as security for the event, making them liable for the costs if donations did not cover the total. The Ministry of Defence drew criticism for not providing any money, in particular the Secretary of State for Defence, Philip Hammond, who would be attending.[9]
A number of veterans had also missed out on applying for tickets in the early stages, although many other parties returned theirs to allow them to attend.[10]
Elizabeth II officially opened the memorial on 28 June 2012, unveiling the bronze sculpture. The ceremony was attended by 6,000 veterans and family members of those killed,[3] and the Avro Lancaster of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight dropped red poppy petals over Green Park.[11]
References
- ^ "Kiwi WWII veterans to attend London memorial". New Zealand Herald. 28 June 2012. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
- ^ "The Aircrew of Bomber Command". Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund. 2012. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
- ^ a b c "Queen unveils RAF Bomber Command memorial". BBC News. 28 June 2012. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
- ^ Harrison, Paul (28 June 2012). "War Dead From Bomber Command Honoured". Sky News. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
- ^ Ashcroft, Michael (23 June 2012). "A sense of pride and justice over the war memorial that rights a 67-year wrong". Daily Mail. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
- ^ Hardman, Robert (26 June 2012). "Their last great victory: How a handful of heroes has prevailed against the shameful officials who almost sabotaged the new memorial to Bomber Command". Daily Mail. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
- ^ Barling, Kurt (21 May 2012). "Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb's War Memorial Campaign". BBC News. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
- ^ "Memorial Update No 5". Bomber Command Memorial Appeal. 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
- ^ Hartley-Parkinson, Richard (27 June 2012). "Defence Secretary branded a 'hypocrite' for saying he will go to Bomber Command Memorial unveiling despite refusing to pay for ceremony". Daily Mail. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
- ^ Brooke, Chris (22 June 2012). "Snubbed Bomber Command heroes get their seat of honour at memorial unveiling after all". Daily Mail. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
- ^ Sengupta, Kim (28 June 2012). "Memorial to Bomber Command unveiled in Green Park". The Independent. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
External links
