[dilligafocau]

Re: Bomber Command

BomberCommand - epetition reply
15 June 2007
We received a petition asking:

"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Recognise the courage and sacrifice of the men of RAF Bomber Command by instituting a Campaign Medal."
Details of Petition:
"Crewing an RAF heavy bomber was the second most dangerous role performed by servicemen on any side during the Second World War. At the end of the war the contraversial 'area bombing' policy (which was adopted in 1942 and heavily supported by the Prime Minister and the Government of the day) became something of an embarrassment to the powers that be once its full effectiveness had become known, and the authorities turned their backs on those who had implemented it. To this date, the bomber offensive against Germany is the only recognised campaign never to have been marked by the issue of a medal to those who fought it - men (and women) who were left to feel as though their country was ashamed of them. Many of the surviving veterans are now approaching the ends of their lives, and this petition is to request that their courage and sacrifice be belatedly recognised by the institution of a Bomber Command Campaign medal."

• Read the petition
• Petitions home page

Read the Government's response

Thank you for taking the time to sign this e-petition requesting that a campaign medal be instituted for those who served in Bomber Command during World War Two.
There is widespread admiration for the major contribution that the crews of Bomber Command made to the Allied victory in World War Two and their commitment in the face of significant losses. The Government acknowledges that a large number of people share your wish to mark this with a medal.
It may be helpful, however, if I explain that there were no medals awarded purely for service in a particular Command during World War Two. Those who completed the minimum qualifying period of service in operational areas were eligible for the 1939-45 Star; those with long service in non-operational areas received the Defence Medal. In addition to the 1939-45 Star and Defence Medal, a series of Campaign stars were created for participants in particularly hazardous campaigns, and many Bomber Command personnel qualified for the much prized Aircrew Europe Star, or, for example, the France and Germany Star.
The creation of medals is the prerogative of the Sovereign. In this, the Sovereign takes advice from the Government of the day, who, in turn, are advised by the inter-departmental, non-political committee on the grant of honours, decorations and medals (known as the HD Committee), on which the Armed Forces are represented. In the case of campaign medals for service during the Second World War, the issue was discussed exhaustively by those in command at the time and by the HD Committee. If they had considered that a Bomber Command Medal, or indeed one for Coastal Command, South East Asia Command etc was appropriate, they had the opportunity to recommend the institution of such medals.
Since the end of World War Two, the HD Committee has maintained a policy that it will not consider the belated institution of awards and medals for service given many years earlier. The reason for this policy is that the present HD Committee cannot put itself in the place of the committee which made the original decision and which would have been able to take account of the views of those in the chain of command, the Government and of other interested parties at the time of that decision.
The HD Committee has made it clear on a number of occasions in response to requests for the institution of belated awards that it will not change this policy. Successive governments have found no reason to overturn this ruling, which is periodically reviewed and has been followed for over fifty years.
Further Information

• Ministry of Defence (new window)

So there.....

[MoMo]

dilligafocau

Thanks for posting this link and comment dilligafocau. I think that members should be aware of the shabby treatment meeted out to our gallant airmen by H.M. Government.

It remains a National Disgrace.

[smartd]

Originally Posted by dilligafocau

Re: Bomber Command

BomberCommand - epetition reply
15 June 2007
We received a petition asking:

"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Recognise the courage and sacrifice of the men of RAF Bomber Command by instituting a Campaign Medal."
Details of Petition:
"Crewing an RAF heavy bomber was the second most dangerous role performed by servicemen on any side during the Second World War. At the end of the war the contraversial 'area bombing' policy (which was adopted in 1942 and heavily supported by the Prime Minister and the Government of the day) became something of an embarrassment to the powers that be once its full effectiveness had become known, and the authorities turned their backs on those who had implemented it. To this date, the bomber offensive against Germany is the only recognised campaign never to have been marked by the issue of a medal to those who fought it - men (and women) who were left to feel as though their country was ashamed of them. Many of the surviving veterans are now approaching the ends of their lives, and this petition is to request that their courage and sacrifice be belatedly recognised by the institution of a Bomber Command Campaign medal."

• Read the petition
• Petitions home page

Read the Government's response

Thank you for taking the time to sign this e-petition requesting that a campaign medal be instituted for those who served in Bomber Command during World War Two.
There is widespread admiration for the major contribution that the crews of Bomber Command made to the Allied victory in World War Two and their commitment in the face of significant losses. The Government acknowledges that a large number of people share your wish to mark this with a medal.
It may be helpful, however, if I explain that there were no medals awarded purely for service in a particular Command during World War Two. Those who completed the minimum qualifying period of service in operational areas were eligible for the 1939-45 Star; those with long service in non-operational areas received the Defence Medal. In addition to the 1939-45 Star and Defence Medal, a series of Campaign stars were created for participants in particularly hazardous campaigns, and many Bomber Command personnel qualified for the much prized Aircrew Europe Star, or, for example, the France and Germany Star.
The creation of medals is the prerogative of the Sovereign. In this, the Sovereign takes advice from the Government of the day, who, in turn, are advised by the inter-departmental, non-political committee on the grant of honours, decorations and medals (known as the HD Committee), on which the Armed Forces are represented. In the case of campaign medals for service during the Second World War, the issue was discussed exhaustively by those in command at the time and by the HD Committee. If they had considered that a Bomber Command Medal, or indeed one for Coastal Command, South East Asia Command etc was appropriate, they had the opportunity to recommend the institution of such medals.
Since the end of World War Two, the HD Committee has maintained a policy that it will not consider the belated institution of awards and medals for service given many years earlier. The reason for this policy is that the present HD Committee cannot put itself in the place of the committee which made the original decision and which would have been able to take account of the views of those in the chain of command, the Government and of other interested parties at the time of that decision.
The HD Committee has made it clear on a number of occasions in response to requests for the institution of belated awards that it will not change this policy. Successive governments have found no reason to overturn this ruling, which is periodically reviewed and has been followed for over fifty years.
Further Information

• Ministry of Defence (new window)

So there.....

Looks like so much Bureaucratic BS

[Shawn 507]

Its nice albeit too late. The others will get theirs once they can be confirmed dead and not sue for benifits. Does the Crown not have individual unit awards?
We have several awards that a unit can be bestowed based on action or service. I have two of them for my service in ODS/S. Meritorious Unit Award and Superior Unit Award. Since I was assigned to the unit during the time the award was given, I can wear those always and forever. Soldiers reporting to that unit will wear them as part of the uniform while assigned. But once they leave they pick up the new units "unit awards" of their gaining unit. Its not much, but it beats nothing.
Of course my uderstanding of British awards are you must be blessed by the gods themselves and even then awards are not certian. Cheerio and all that bit of rubish!!

[dilligafocau]

Originally Posted by MoMo

Thanks for posting this link and comment dilligafocau. I think that members should be aware of the shabby treatment meeted out to our gallant airmen by H.M. Government.

It remains a National Disgrace.

Maybe if the air crews had taken acting lessons or played football we could have them Knighted.

Risking your neck in the defence of your country, in the case of the Bomber Command seems to makes you less worthy than a bl**dy actor

[Cardinal]

Comment on this ... 'Pushy’ parents hit by school rulings - Times Online

[Shawn 507]

Originally Posted by Cardinal

Comment on this ... 'Pushy’ parents hit by school rulings - Times Online

Nothing like helping those who wont help themselves. Guilting people into feeling sorry for their own success. This crap is going to be our downfall unless we stop it.

[Captain Eddie]

Originally Posted by dilligafocau

Maybe if the air crews had taken acting lessons or played football we could have them Knighted.

Risking your neck in the defence of your country, in the case of the Bomber Command seems to makes you less worthy than a bl**dy actor

Tell me, is the word "bl**dy" as you used it considered a cuss word or some such?

[dilligafocau]

Originally Posted by Captain Eddie

Tell me, is the word "bl**dy" as you used it considered a cuss word or some such?

Bloody-well right its a cuss word .



Sometimes I'm probably more polite than I need to be