My uncle was W/C 460 Sqn, DFC and bar, 34 missions.
What those guys did was truly amazing - visited RAF Hendon (museum) in London recently and just gobsmacked at the stuff they have there including a Lancaster from 467 Sqn (RAAF) - serious beast with 4 Merlins on the wings. How they managed to climb into the cockpit night after night when every mission over 5 you were defying the odds I'm buggered if I know.
Heard an interview with Bill Purdy on the ABC tonight, what an incredible bloke!!