One from my Fathers log book(He survived the war)
Jan 14 1943 A/C AL518 Liberator

OPERATION TRIPOLI CROSS ROADS
6x1000lb Bombs.Intense Heavy Flak a/c Received 3 Direct Hits.Bomb Doors And Rear Hatch Blown Off. ist w/op and beam Gunner Wounded.Hydraulics and Petrol Lines Shot Away Bombs Salvoed. Landed At LG143 Gambut After Winding Down Wheels. Touched DownTwice Before Reaching Flare Path. No Flapes or Brakes. No Damage on Landing a/c Has 700 Plus visible Flak Holes. No Future In This

Next Op Jan 18 Liberator AL506 dropping agents Aetos and Isari Greece for S.O.E.

So it was buckle down and get on with it. He obviously thought he would not survive but like all the others he did his duty and took his chance and we all know how many who took their chance did not make it.

Just a little point that sometime gets to me. We hear a lot about Bomber Command in Europe(obviously the most casualties) but very little about the Middle and Far East air war unless things like Flight Sergeant Copping comes up. That has gone very quiet as well!