Never Mind The Dambusters

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Episode 77 - LANCASTER: 24 Hours on a Squadron, with Mike Napier Sep 23, 2026

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The Lancaster is probably the most recognisable aircraft associated with RAF Bomber Command. But what did an ordinary 24 hours actually look like on a Lancaster squadron?

In this episode of Never Mind the Dambusters, Jane Gulliford Lowes is joined by military aviation historian and author Michael Napier to explore the Lancaster not simply as an aircraft, but as the centre of a vast organisation of people, preparation and expertise.

Mike's new book, Lancaster: Twenty-Four Hours on a Squadron, takes us through a complete operational cycle on a wartime Lancaster station — from the daytime preparation and maintenance of the aircraft, through briefing and pre-flight preparations, to the night raid over Germany and the return home.

Drawing on more than 200 first-hand accounts, Mike brings together the experiences of aircrew, ground maintenance personnel, mission planners and the many other people whose work was essential to putting a Lancaster into the air. The book also explores the dangers faced by the crews during the operation and concludes with a poignant reflection on their achievements and sacrifices.

But Mike has another perspective on the subject. Before becoming a military aviation historian and author, he was an RAF pilot who flew the Tornado GR1, including operational flying from RAF Brüggen and operations over Iraq following the first Gulf War. He subsequently became a Boeing 787 captain with British Airways.

So, what similarities — and differences — are there between the experience of a Lancaster crew in the Second World War and that of a Tornado crew several decades later? And does having experienced military flying himself change the way Mike approaches the experiences of Bomber Command aircrew?

In this episode we discuss:

Why Mike chose to structure the book around a 24-hour operational cycle rather than a conventional squadron history.
What happened on a Lancaster station during the hours before a raid.
The vital contribution of ground crews, engineers, armourers, planners and other support personnel.
What more than 200 first-hand accounts reveal about the reality of flying Lancaster operations.
The dangers faced by Lancaster crews during night operations over Germany.
Mike's own experiences as a Tornado GR1 pilot and how they have influenced his approach to aviation history.
The similarities and differences between operating a Lancaster in the 1940s and a Tornado during the Cold War and Gulf War era.
Whether the legendary status of the Lancaster has sometimes obscured the reality of the people and organisation behind it.

About Michael Napier

Michael Napier joined the RAF in 1978 and qualified as a Tornado GR1 pilot. He flew in the strike/attack role from RAF Brüggen during the final years of the Cold War and subsequently took part in operations over Iraq following the first Gulf War.

After leaving the RAF in 1997, Mike began a second career as an airline pilot with British Airways, eventually becoming a Boeing 787 captain. He is the author of 18 books on military aviation history.

About the book

Michael Napier – Lancaster: Twenty-Four Hours on a Squadron
Published by Evro Publishing
Hardback, 288 pages
ISBN: 978-1-918070-01-9
Published: 6 August 2026.

Buy Lancaster: Twenty-Four Hours on a Squadron from Evro Publishing

Support the show

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Thank you for listening! You can reach out to us on social media at @RAF_BomberPod (X) or @NeverMindTheDambusters (Instagram)
You can find out about James' research, articles, lectures and podcasts here .
You can read more about Jane's work on her website at https://www.justcuriousjane.com/, and listen to podcasts/media stuff here

Episode 76 Secret Projects of the Luftwaffe, with Dan Sharp Sep 09, 2026

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Jane Gulliford Lowes welcomes author, editor, and aviation historian Dan Sharp to dig into the Luftwaffe’s bomber plans, from prewar requirements to late war jet concepts. The conversation focuses on how German bomber strategy was shaped by speed, range, and technological ambition, and why so many of the most advanced ideas never arrived in time.

They also unpack the long standing myth around the Heinkel 177 dive bomber requirement, showing how the real story is more complicated than the usual explanation.

Key topics

We discuss Dan Sharp’s new book, Secret Projects of the Luftwaffe, Volume 2, and why it matters for understanding German bomber development.
Dan explains that the Luftwaffe did not expect the Heinkel 111, Dornier 17, and Junkers 87 to remain its long term bomber force.
We discuss the 1938 plan to replace older bombers with two fast types, the Junkers 88 and Heinkel 177, in a force of 12,000 aircraft.
Dan shares how early Luftwaffe requirements were heavily influenced by prewar aviation experiments, especially the push for speed seen in aircraft like the Heinkel 70.
We discuss the idea of the bomber that survives by being fast rather than heavily armed, and how that logic shaped the Schnellbomber and Höhenbomber requirements.
Dan shares that Luftwaffe procurement was slow and process driven, so even ambitious requirements took four or five years to reach production.
We discuss the gap between planned strength and wartime reality, including the Luftwaffe going to war in 1939 with only 23 Junkers 88s.
Dan explains the Grossbomber and Fernbomber concepts, and how they fed into the development of the Heinkel 177.
We discuss why the Heinkel 177’s problems were driven more by overambitious speed requirements and aerodynamic compromises than by the dive bomber story alone.
Dan shares how the supposed dive bomber role for the Heinkel 177 was really about shallow glide attacks, not Ju 87 style near vertical dives.
We discuss how the Luftwaffe repeatedly tried to adapt strategy around technology, rather than simply fielding weapons to match a fixed plan.
Dan explains the guided weapon effort, including the HS 293 and Fritz X, and how difficult it was to make those systems work in real combat.
We discuss the attempted long range bombing of America, including refueling concepts, the America Bomber studies, and the ME 264 and JU 390 family of ideas.
Dan shares how late war jet bomber projects like the Heinkel 343 and Junkers 287 reflected a last ditch belief in technological superiority.

Timestamps

00:00 - Welcome back after the summer break
02:24 - Dan Sharp introduced and the focus on Luftwaffe bomber projects
04:06 - The Luftwaffe’s plan to replace older bombers with the Ju 88 and He 177
05:11 - The origins of German bomber requirements before the Luftwaffe era
07:05 - The Heinkel 70 and the obsession with speed
10:10 - Why fast aircraft changed thinking about bomber design
12:36 - Walter Wever and the push for faster bomber types
15:17 - How speed, altitude, and range became separate bomber philosophies
17:02 - How German aircraft procurement actually worked
19:38 - Why new bombers took years to reach service
22:27 - The Luftwaffe’s outdated bomber fleet at the outbreak of war
25:23 - Grossbomber and the search for a true heavy bomber
27:19 - Wever’s Fernbomber priorities and his death in 1936
31:19 - The real requirement behind Bomber A
33:01 - The meaning of shallow glide attacks and airframe strength categories
35:45 - Why a 40 degree descent was not a Ju 87 style dive
37:23 - The 50 degree change and the mystery around it
39:18 - How the He 177 was engineered for speed
40:54 - The coupled engine arrangement and why it caused problems
42:25 - Remote controlled defensive turrets and evaporative cooling ideas
44:44 - The later myth of the dive bomber requirement
47:32 - Strategy being forced to adapt to technological limits
51:07 - Luftwaffe thinking after the Soviet campaign
55:09 - The shift toward high altitude specialist weapons
57:13 - Guided missiles and the limits of wartime technology
60:51 - The idea of bombing America and the refueling problem
62:48 - The America Bomber studies and extreme range requirements
65:27 - The ME 264, JU 290, and JU 390 concepts
68:00 - Why the America Bomber concept was shelved
70:29 - Late war technological superiority and the endgame
72:14 - Jet bomber projects and the He 343 versus Ju 287
74:46 - The last attempt to revive the jet bomber concept
76:21 - Closing reflections on quality versus quantity in Luftwaffe thinking
77:43 - Where to find Dan Sharp’s books
78:25 - Outro and listener support information

Action items

Look out for Dan Sharp’s Secret Projects of the Luftwaffe, Volume 2.
Check out Volume 1 if you want the wider background to the series.
If you enjoyed the episode, support the podcast by leaving a rating or review and joining the listener community.

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Episode 75 - Stanley Booker: Airman, Prisoner, Saviour, Spy, with Sean Feast Aug 25, 2026

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Ep. 75 – Stanley Booker: Airman, Prisoner, Saviour, Spy, with Sean Feast

How does a young RAF observer go from flying operations with 10 Squadron to becoming one of the few Allied airmen imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp?

In this episode of Never Mind the Dambusters, Jane Gulliford Lowes and James Jefferies welcome back acclaimed aviation historian and author Sean Feast to discuss his compelling new book, Airman, Prisoner, Saviour, Spy: The Remarkable Story of Stanley Booker DFM.

Stanley volunteered for aircrew at just eighteen years of age and qualified as an observer, joining 10 Squadron RAF during the crucial months leading up to D-Day. Shot down over occupied France in 1944, he was captured, brutally interrogated by the Gestapo at Fresnes Prison, and became one of 168 Allied airmen deported to Buchenwald Concentration Camp as so-called "Terror Flyers."

Against all odds, Stanley survived.

His story didn't end with liberation. After the war, he flew more than 200 sorties during the Berlin Airlift, later worked with British intelligence during the Cold War, and spent decades fighting for official recognition of what he and his fellow airmen had endured.

This is an extraordinary story of courage, survival, resilience and the long struggle for justice.

In this episode

How Sean Feast first met Stanley Booker and why he felt compelled to tell his story.
Stanley's training and operational career as an observer with 10 Squadron RAF.
The mission that ended with Stanley's aircraft being shot down over occupied France.
Capture, betrayal and interrogation by the Gestapo at the notorious Fresnes Prison.
The little-known story of the Allied "Terror Flyers" imprisoned at Buchenwald Concentration Camp.
Why Stanley and his fellow prisoners spent decades seeking official recognition.
Stanley's remarkable post-war career during the Berlin Airlift and later intelligence work in divided Berlin.
Sean reflects on Stanley's legacy and what readers can learn from his extraordinary life.

About our guest

Sean Feast is one of Britain's leading aviation historians and authors. A former journalist, he has written extensively on RAF Bomber Command, the Pathfinder Force and the wider Allied air war. His work is renowned for combining meticulous research with deeply personal stories that illuminate the human experience of war.

Featured book

Airman, Prisoner, Saviour, Spy: The Remarkable Story of Stanley Booker DFM by Sean Feast

Available here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1911714376

Mentioned during this episode

RAF 10 Squadron
Buchenwald Concentration Camp
Fresnes Prison
The "Terror Flyers"
The Berlin Airlift
George Blake
Above Us the Stars by Jane Gulliford Lowes

Related listening

If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like:

Peenemünde, V-Weapons & the Master Bomber with Sean Feast (Series 4)
Internment of Allied Airmen with Andrew White
Bomb Disposal in Hamburg with Thomas Rost

Join the conversation

Had you heard of the Buchenwald Airmen before listening to this episode?

Why do you think it took so many decades for their experiences to receive official recognition?

Join the discussion in the Never Mind the Dambusters Facebook group or connect with us across our social media channels.

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Episode 74 – Easy Elsie: The Battle to Save a Lost Lancaster, with Dave King Aug 11, 2026

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Ep. 74 – Easy Elsie: The Battle to Save a Lost Lancaster

What happens when a wartime Lancaster disappears into a Swedish bog—and eight decades later, a dedicated team sets out to bring her home?

In this episode of Never Mind the Dambusters, Jane Gulliford Lowes is joined by Dave King, a British adventurer and expedition leader based in Sweden, to discuss one of the most remarkable aviation recovery projects currently underway.

Dave's latest mission centres on Lancaster ND587, "Easy Elsie", which crashed in Sweden during the Second World War and has remained in a bog ever since.

Together, Jane and Dave explore the story of the aircraft and her crew, the circumstances surrounding the crash, and the extraordinary effort to recover the Lancaster and preserve her legacy for future generations.

In this episode

Dave King's background and how he became involved in historic aircraft recovery expeditions.
The story of Lancaster ND587 "Easy Elsie" and her operational service with RAF Bomber Command.
The crew aboard Easy Elsie and the mission that ended in Sweden.
What happened on the night of the crash, and why the aircraft remained largely untouched for decades.
The archaeological, engineering and political challenges of recovering a wartime heavy bomber from a bog.
The international collaboration behind Project Easy Elsie and the ambition to return the aircraft to the United Kingdom.
Why preserving aircraft like Easy Elsie helps keep alive the stories of the men who flew them.

About our guest

Dave King is an aviation historian, adventurer and expedition leader, based in Sweden. You can read more about Dave and his expeditions at https://arcticalive.com/

To learn more about Project Easy Elsie and follow the recovery effort, visit:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/268947476623077

Follow the project on social media for the latest updates, photographs and news from the recovery team.

Join the conversation

What responsibilities do we have when recovering wartime aircraft?

Should historic bombers be restored to flying condition, preserved as archaeological artefacts, or displayed exactly as they are found?

We'd love to hear your thoughts. Join the discussion in the Never Mind the Dambusters Facebook group or connect with us across our social media channels.

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Episode 73 - "A Memory Owed": Bringing Bomber Command to the Big Screen Jul 28, 2026

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Ep. 73 – A Memory Owed: Bringing Bomber Command to the Big Screen

How do you tell the story of RAF Bomber Command in a way that resonates with modern audiences while remaining faithful to the experiences of those who served?

In this special episode of Never Mind the Dambusters, Jane Gulliford Lowes and James Jefferies are joined by Martin Hemingway-Moseley, writer and director of the new Bomber Command film A Memory Owed, and Zoe Lewin, the film's producer.

Together, they discuss the inspiration behind the project, the challenges of creating an independent historical film, and why the story of Bomber Command still matters more than eighty years after the end of the Second World War.

The conversation explores everything from researching the screenplay and recreating life aboard a Lancaster, to tackling difficult subjects such as Lack of Moral Fibre (LMF) and ensuring that the experiences of veterans are portrayed with honesty, dignity and compassion.

Whether you're a lifelong student of Bomber Command or simply interested in how history is brought to the screen, this is a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at a remarkable production dedicated to preserving memory through film.

In this episode

The origins of A Memory Owed and the story that inspired the film.
How writer and director Martin Hemingway-Moseley approached telling a Bomber Command story for a modern audience.
The practical challenges of producing an independent historical film, from funding to filming with historic aircraft.
Why historical authenticity mattered throughout the production.
Exploring the difficult subject of Lack of Moral Fibre (LMF) and why it forms an important part of the narrative.
The influence of classic WW2 and Bomber Command films including The Dambusters and Appointment in London.
The emotional responsibility of portraying the experiences of Bomber Command veterans.
Martin and Zoe reflect on the moments from production that have stayed with them most.

About our guests

Martin Hemingway-Moseley is the writer and director of A Memory Owed, an award-winning short film exploring the human story of RAF Bomber Command through the themes of memory, sacrifice and remembrance. (Buzzsprout)

Zoe Lewin is the producer of A Memory Owed, helping bring the project from concept to screen while balancing historical authenticity with the realities of independent filmmaking. (Buzzsprout)

Watch the film

A Memory Owed is now available to watch in full on YouTube:

Watch A Memory Owed on YouTube

Related listening

If you enjoyed today's discussion, you may also like our earlier episode exploring the remarkable story of Lancaster NX611 "Just Jane" and the work of the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre with Andrew Panton.

Episode 35 – Restoring a Lancaster: The NX611 "Just Jane" Story

Join the conversation

What role do films play in preserving the history of RAF Bomber Command?

Should more stories like A Memory Owed be brought to the screen?

Join the discussion in the Never Mind the Dambusters Facebook group, or connect with us across our social media channels.

Support the show

Episode 72 Karlsruhe: Life Under the Bombs, with Kathy Quinlan-Flatter Jul 14, 2026

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Ep. 72 – Karlsruhe: Life Under the Bombs

With Kathy Quinlan-Flatter

What was it like to live beneath the bomber stream?

In this episode of Never Mind the Dambusters, Jane Gulliford Lowes and James Jefferies explore the air war from a perspective we don't often hear: that of the German civilians who endured RAF bombing raids firsthand.

Joining us is journalist and historian Kathy Quinlan-Flatter, who has lived in and around the Karlsruhe region and spent years researching the city's wartime experience through police reports, eyewitness testimony, local archives, and personal accounts.

Together, we examine how one German city experienced the realities of strategic bombing — from the terror of air raids and the struggle to protect civilians, to the long process of rebuilding after the war.

In this episode:

✈️ Karlsruhe before the bombs fell
Discover how this distinctive fan-shaped city became an important industrial and transportation hub — and why it found itself in Bomber Command's sights.

🔥 The "Night of Fire" and the raids of 1942
Drawing on contemporary police reports, Kathy reveals what happened during some of Karlsruhe's most devastating attacks and how ordinary citizens experienced the destruction unfolding around them.

🎭 Decoys, deception and civil defence
How did German authorities attempt to fool RAF crews? We explore Karlsruhe's decoy sites, air raid precautions, and the city's extensive network of shelters and bunkers.

🧒 The Flak Boys
Who were the teenage boys drafted into Germany's air defence system? Kathy shares the stories of a generation whose lives were shaped by war long before they reached adulthood.

🏭 Bombing, morale and daily life
How did repeated attacks affect Karlsruhe's industry, transport networks, public services, and civilian morale? Did people continue to believe victory was possible?

🏳️ The end of the war
From the arrival of French and American forces to the challenges of reconstruction, we examine Karlsruhe's final months of war and its remarkable recovery in the post-war years.

Guest

Kathy Quinlan-Flatter is a journalist, researcher, and historian whose work focuses on the wartime experiences of civilians in south-west Germany, particularly in the Karlsruhe region.

Thank you for listening!

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Series 5 Trailer Jul 07, 2026

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Welcome Back to Never Mind the Dambusters!

We're delighted to tell all our listeners that series 5 will be launching on 15/16 July - paid subscribers can gain early access from 11 July.

So much to look forward to !

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Episode 71 - Internment of Allied Airmen in Neutral Countries, with Andrew White Mar 31, 2026

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Episode available on general release on Wednesday 1st April.

Episode Summary

In the final episode of Series 4, Jane and James are joined by historian and former RAF intelligence officer Andrew White to explore a lesser-known aspect of the Second World War air war: the internment of Allied airmen in neutral countries.

When aircraft came down in neutral territory, aircrew entered a complex legal and diplomatic grey area — neither prisoners of war nor free to return home. Drawing on Andrew’s research and experience, this episode examines how internment worked in practice, how different countries interpreted their obligations, and what life was like for the men caught in between war and neutrality.

We explore the legal framework governing internment, the countries involved, the lived experiences of interned airmen, and the moral and political tensions that shaped their treatment. The discussion also touches on escape attempts, repatriation, and the controversial question of whether some airmen may have sought internment deliberately.

As Series 4 draws to a close, this episode reflects the podcast’s wider aim — to go beyond operations and aircraft, and to uncover the human stories and complexities behind the bombing war.

What We Cover

What internment meant under international law during WWII
Which nations interned British and Allied airmen
Living conditions and day-to-day experiences of interned crews
How politics and neutrality influenced treatment
Changes in policy as the war progressed
Repatriation and the duration of internment
Escape attempts from neutral countries
The controversial idea of “choosing” internment

About Our Guest

Andrew White is a retired RAF intelligence officer (Wing Commander) who served from 1985 to 2011, including operational tours in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, and Iraq.

He now works as a battlefield guide and military historian, and is the author of three published biographies of airmen from the First and Second World Wars.

Series 4

This episode marks the final instalment of Series 4 of Never Mind the Dambusters.

Across the series, we’ve explored a wide range of topics, including:

RAF Bomber Command operations and strategy
The Short Stirling and De Havilland Mosquito
The Peenemünde raids and V-weapons programme
The USAAF bombing campaign over Schweinfurt
Bomb disposal in Hamburg
Cold War bombers and evolving air strategy

Thank you to all our guests — and to everyone who has listened, supported, and joined the conversation along the way.

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Ep.70 - Q and A Chat Part 2: More Questions Answered! Mar 24, 2026

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Join us for a deep dive into the nuanced and often overlooked areas of RAF Bomber Command during WWII. In this episode, we answer listener questions, discuss key incidents, and explore technological debates shaping strategic bombing.

Main Topics Covered:

Details of the July 1941 raid on Scharnhorst at La Palis and its significance
The complexities of bombing accuracy: Norden vs. British bomb sights
Ground crew allocations, tours, and their vital role in wartime operations
The psychology of bailout decisions and crew perceptions
The evolving technology of bombs, mines, and aircraft adaptations
The often-forgotten British operations in 1941 and their strategic importance
The dynamic between American and British bombing doctrines and technologies
Post-ops careers and the roles of veteran airmen after their tours

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Episode 69 - Q & A Chat Part 1: Your Questions Answered! Mar 17, 2026

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This week Jane and James have a good old chinwag and answer YOUR questions, on some very diverse topics:

Why wasn't Harris replaced after Nuremberg or the Battle of Berlin?
Which aircraft would've benefited from Merlin engines?
What were Special Recognition Flights?
Why weren't bomber streams supported by more night-fighter escorts or intruder ops?
Why wasn't the transportation plan implemented earlier?
How did Bomber Command get the enormous amounts of fuel, bombs, ammunition etc out to airfields?

The discussion will be continued next week too, so continue to send in your questions!

Here's the episode Jane mentioned about RAF Night fighters, with Stu Burbridge: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2327200/episodes/16780446

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