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This course on ten consecutive Fridays (note - not the 16th October) by Tony Redding tells the harrowing story of the last six months of the RAF’s bombing campaign against Germany, from the experiences of the aircrew to the devastation brought to those on the ground. All told through the memories of survivors.

‘Everything you value in your life – personal freedom, the protection of the law, a sound future for your children and grandchildren and the right to live without fear – depended on success in crushing Hitler and the Nazis 80 years ago.

The key to this was Britain’s greatest national enterprise – the construction of over 7000 Lancaster bombers and the methodical destruction of Nazi Germany’s cities. Over a million people in Britain helped build the Lancasters during the war and 125 000 young men volunteered to fly them in action. Their average age was 22 and 55 000 of them were killed. Perhaps members of your family were involved in this great national struggle?'

In a series of 10 talks, military historian and author Dr Tony Redding will present the information allowing you to decide for yourself if this was the right thing to do. Tony will focus on the human side rather than technical matters and will tell the story from both the British and German side. He will use, as a case study, the destruction of the south German city of Pforzheim on February 23 1945. Participants will be encouraged to explore the many moral issues which cannot be ignored in any study of strategic bombing.
Fridays Sept. 18th ,25th.
Oct 2nd, 9th, 23rd, 30th. (Please note: NOT 16th)
Nov 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th.

To apply for a place, please contact the Courses organiser using the above link by July 31st.

All applications will be acknowledged. They are not accepted on a first come, first served basis. If the course is over subscribed, a ballot will be held, and only then will members be notified whether or not they have got on the course.

Maximum number of members: 20