One of the final surviving members of Bomber Command has courageously shared the gripping details of his heroic wartime service for the very first time, now at the remarkable age of 104. Former pilot Colin Bell vividly recalls in a powerful new memoir how his squadron commander defiantly refused to ground their Mosquito fighter aircraft, despite urgent manufacturer warnings about a potential engine fault.
A Stark and Chilling Warning from Command
When questioned about the dire consequences if the Rolls-Royce Merlin engines catastrophically failed during take-off, the commander responded with brutally stark and chilling terms. He stated unequivocally, 'You die like an officer and a gentleman.' This haunting statement underscores the immense peril and unwavering discipline faced by aircrews during every mission.
Survival Strategy: A Revolver Over a Teddy Bear
In a revealing personal detail, Mr Bell discloses that instead of carrying a traditional mascot like a teddy bear on his dangerous raids over Nazi Germany, he opted for a far more pragmatic item. He took a Smith & Wesson revolver loaded with 20 rounds of ammunition, preparing meticulously for the grim possibility of being shot down behind enemy lines.
He writes compellingly in his memoir, Bloody Dangerous, which is serialised today in the Daily Mail: 'Hitler and Goebbels were actively encouraging the German population to lynch downed airmen. My firm intention, if captured, was to shoot at least half a dozen members of any approaching mob before ultimately blowing my brains out.' This stark survival plan highlights the extreme dangers and psychological burdens borne by these brave crews.
The Sobering Reality of Squadron Losses
The modest hero, whose story captures the extraordinary bravery of crews confronting unimaginable danger on each mission, provides sobering statistics. Of the approximately 30 pilots and navigators of 608 Squadron he shared a mess with at RAF Downham Market in Norfolk, a tragic 13 were dead when he departed after just six months of service. This devastating loss rate paints a vivid picture of the high stakes and relentless attrition faced during aerial combat.
Final Mission and a Narrow Escape
Mr Bell's final raid occurred over Berlin, just before his 24th birthday in March 1945. In a twist of fate that underscores the fragility of life in wartime, the very Mosquito aircraft he had flown in was shot down merely two days later, tragically killing both crew members. This poignant detail emphasises the narrow margins between survival and loss during those critical operations.
Addressing Controversial Bombing Campaigns
Now 105 years old as of this Thursday, Mr Bell also thoughtfully addresses ongoing criticism of the Allied bombing campaigns on cities such as Dresden, which impacted civilians alongside military targets. He reflects: 'There is certainly an argument to be had about this, but I often wonder how that argument would proceed if we had lost the war. People might then be expressing grave reservations about living as slave labourers under a brutal Nazi regime, with concentration camps established in every city.'
He adds with poignant clarity: 'When people ask, "What about Dresden?" I reply that Dresden was indeed horrific. But so too was the devastating blitzing of London, Coventry, Plymouth, Exeter, Liverpool, and Southampton, to name but a few.' This perspective provides crucial historical context from a veteran who lived through those tumultuous times.
The memoir, Bloody Dangerous by Colin Bell, will be published by Abacus on March 5, offering an invaluable firsthand account of courage, sacrifice, and survival from one of Britain's last Bomber Command heroes.
