Lancaster pilot Victor Wood’s aircraft arrived too early over Gelsenkirchen when the target was shrouded in darkness and the Main Force miles behind.

His bomber was suddenly struck with terrifying force by flak and turned upside-down. An engine was on fire, the unconscious mid-upper gunner, slumped over his turret, was being sprayed with petrol and their bombload had been struck by shrapnel. Could Vic get his crew back to base safely?

Find out in Mel Rolfe’s expertly researched and narrated book, which records nineteen similarly exceptional stories as night after night young men went off on sorties, knowing the unpalatable truth that they might not see another dawn.

"Ordinary young men, many straight from school, propelled the war in the sky in World War II. Of about 125,000 airmen serving in Bomber Command, more than 55,000 lost their lives. In this expertly researched and narrated book, Mel Rolfe offers 20 different narratives in which these heroes venture out night after night on sorties throughout World War II Europe."

"expertly researched and narrated book, … offers 20 different narratives in which these heroes venture out night after night on sorties throughout World War II Europe."