Never Mind The Dambusters
Never Mind The Dambusters…It’s The Bomber Command Podcast!
Join historians and authors Jane Gulliford Lowes and James Jefferies as they delve into the world of RAF Bomber Command during the Second World War. In this weekly podcast (episodes released every Wednesday), Jane and James explore strategy, policy, and the events which shaped one of the most controversial campaigns of the war.
Despite their iconic status, Bomber Command's history extends far beyond the famed Dambusters raid of 1943 and the Avro Lancaster. Through insightful discussions, expert analysis of the strategic bombing campaign and first hand accounts by veterans and civilians on the ground, Never Mind the Dambusters offers listeners a comprehensive exploration of Bomber Command's operations and the diverse aircraft it employed, as well as tackling some tough topics.
Jane and James will be joined by leading academics, historians, aircraft enthusiasts, technicians and engineers and veterans' family members. Expect discussions on relevant books and films and a spotlight on a different aircraft in each episode. Please send in your questions to us on X (twitter) at @RAFBomber_Pod and on Instagram at @NeverMindTheDambusters. You can email the show at nmtdambusters@gmail.com.
Never Mind The Dambusters
(PREMIUM) Episode 42 - Bomber Command Losses Database/ Navigational Technology, with Dave Gilbert
Send us a message or question!
*** Episode on general release on Wednesday 9th April 2025
In this episode of Never Mind the Dambusters, hosts Jane Gulliford Lowes and James Jefferies engage with Dave Gilbert, the losses archivist at the International Bomber Command Centre in Lincoln, England. Dave explains the background to the development of the centre, and relates how he ( and a team of volunteers) went about compiling the details of over 58,000 men and women who died while serving with or in support of RAF Bomber Command.
The team debate the emotional impact of this work, and the importance of providing some biographical detail about every single person listed.
The conversation then turns into the development of navigational technology aboard both RAF and Luftwaffe aircraft.
You can visit the International Bomber Command Centre Losses Database here , and you learn more about the work of the centre here.
Dave's book, written in conjunction with Steve Darlow, Epitaphs of Bomber Command, can be pre-ordered here.
Takeaways
- RAF Bomber Command had the highest casualty rate during the war.
- The International Bomber Command Centre serves as a memorial and educational resource.
- The losses database is the world's largest free-to-access database of RAF Bomber Command casualties.
- Inclusivity in documenting losses includes ground crew and associated personnel.
- Accessing historical records can be challenging due to location and processing issues.
- The Wall of Names at the IBCC allows families to connect with their loved ones.
- The emotional weight of the work can be overwhelming for archivists.
- Epitaphs provide personal insights into the lives of those lost.
- Technological advancements significantly impacted bombing strategies during the war.
- Navigational training gave RAF crews an edge over their German counterparts.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to RAF Bomber Command
03:20 The Role of the International Bomber Command Centre
06:08 The Losses Database: Origins and Development
08:28 Inclusivity in Documenting Losses
09:48 Sources of Information for the Database
12:02 The Wall of Names: A Memorial to the Fallen
14:14 Emotional Impact of the Work
16:30 Future of the Database and Ongoing Research
20:55 The Epitaphs of Bomber Command
23:53 Advancements in Bomber Technology
33:21 The Significance of Navigational Techniques
37:46 Engaging Audiences Through Technology
39:25 Show intro.wav
Please subscribe to Never Mind The Dambusters wherever you get your podcasts. You can support the show, and help us produce great content, by becoming a paid subscriber from just $3 a month here https://www.buzzsprout.com/2327200/support . Supporters get early access to episodes and invitations to livestreams.
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
