VJ Day: Bomber Research to Include Far East Losses for First Time
The International Bomber Command Centre in Lincoln has announced that the next phase of its research into losses sustained by RAF bomber crews will cover the Far Eastern theatre for the first time.
The news comes on the eve of the 80th anniversary of VJ (Victory over Japan) Day on 15th August and the end of the Second World War.
Bomber Command did not serve in the Far East during the Second World War, but Bomber Command aircraft and crews were assigned to a new unit called Tiger Force to provide long-range bombing support in the Allied advance against Japan.
Ultimately, this new force was never deployed, as the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and Japan surrendered on 15th August 1945.
To fund the research and new memorials to the fallen, the IBCC is selling thousands of ceramic poppies arranged in the silhouette of a Lancaster Bomber to mark Victory in Europe (VE) Day and VJ Day this year.
The installation was created by Lithuanian artist Darius Sirmulevicius, who now lives in Lincolnshire, and proceeds from the sale of the poppies – each one unique – will go to the IBCC, Wooden Spoon children’s rugby charity, British West India Regiments Heritage Trust and the RAF Benevolent Fund.
“Once the research on the Far Eastern theatre is complete, our Losses Database will have honoured and recorded every life lost in any of the Second World War bombing commands, including the Mediterranean theatre, 2 TAF and Command,” said Nicky van der Drift OBE, Chief Executive of the IBCC.
“This will provide a huge additional resource not only for military historians and visitors to our site, but also for family history websites such as Ancestry.com, FindMyPast.com and The Genealogist.
“Eventually, our hope is to raise the funds needed to build further memorial walls, which would take the numbers commemorated to over 80,000.
“Buying a commemorative ceramic poppy is one way in which people can support our mission and make sure these brave men and women are remembered and honoured.”
If you would like to buy a ceramic poppy to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day and the end of the Second World War, visit https://internationalbcc.co.uk/about-ibcc/news/events/lancaster-poppy-display/.
To find out more about the Losses Database and the work of the International Bomber Command Centre, visit https://internationalbcc.co.uk
To find out more about Tiger Force and listen to interviews with veterans, please visit the IBCC digital archive https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/
Notes for editors:
Notes to Editors
The International Bomber Command Centre, which opened on 30th January 2018, provides a world-class facility to serve as a point for recognition, remembrance and reconciliation for Bomber Command.
Since its opening the centre has welcomed over 660,000 visitors from 58 different countries, including over 35,000 schoolchildren through its learning programmes.
The centre has received 40 different awards for interpretation, innovation, ethical, sustainable and responsible tourism, international tourism, heritage and education, including the VisitEngland bronze award holder for Best large Visitor Attraction and the holder of the King’s Award for Voluntary Services.
The IBCC has involved over 500 volunteers from nine countries who have supported every aspect of the extensive project.
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