Abstract/Summary

Unlike those of most continental countries, Britain’s dominant memories of World War 2 are unified, straightforward, and patriotic. The major exception concerns the bomber offensive against Germany, where celebration of the bravery of bomber crews is challenged by accounts of the destruction of cities and civilian lives by the RAF. This article uses the concept of 'levels' of memory to demonstrate that while memories of Bomber Command's offensive have evolved over time, there has also been very wide variation in the ways in which it has been remembered, for example, by government, by historians, by the popular press, or by the authors of children's comics. The conclusion suggests a convergence between the celebration of Bomber Command and animosity against the EU.