75th anniversary of Bomber Command

This weekend marks the 75th anniversary of Australian involvement in Bomber Command operations during the Second World War.

About 50 war veterans will be honoured this weekend for their role in deadly bombing raids over Germany during World War II.

Sunday marks 75 years since Royal Australian Air Force squadrons joined Bomber Command operations.

An estimated 10,000 Australians served with Bomber Command. About half died serving.

The broader death toll was 55,573 and included British, Canadians, New Zealanders and crews from other Commonwealth countries.

The operations were marred by controversy surrounding the very high civilian death toll in German cities such as Hamburg and Dresden.

The United Kingdom only unveiled its official memorial in 2012.

The Australian War Memorial's last post ceremony on Saturday will tell the story of Flying Officer Charles Rowland Williams who was a member of Bomber Command.

On Sunday morning veterans, widows and families will participate in a wreath-laying ceremony in the war memorial's sculpture garden.

There will a RAAF F/A-18A/B Hornet flypast at 11.45am.


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Source: AAP


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