Bomber Command/8th Air Force tour of operations
I was asked this morning by a Spanish historian (a long story) about what constituted a tour of operations in Bomber Command in WWII.
I duly trotted out: "About 30 operational sorties.." but then he asked what then? What happened to the few who escaped the chop..?
I replied that many were posted back into training..
And when they'd completed that posting, what were the options? Firstly, did they have an option or was a posting back to operational flying a given? Was it mandatory?
And for those who'd been shot down over occupied Europe and had returned to the UK via an escape line, were they allowed to return to operational flying? I'd always understood that they didn't.. and yet I have personal knowledge of a Halifax pilot who was shot down on his first operation, successfully evaded and on his return to the UK went on to complete 30+ operational sorties.
My historian friend has the same questions for the USAAF.
All answers gratefully received.
Thanks