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What happened to RAF Bomber Command after the Second World War? In this episode, Jane Gulliford Lowes and guest co-presenter Jamie Heffer from the RAF Bircham Newton Heritage Centre are joined by Erik Parker to explore the command's evolution from 1945 until its merger into Strike Command in 1968.

The immediate post-war years brought new responsibilities, including Operation Exodus, the return of foreign squadrons and plans for Tiger Force. Meanwhile, Britain faced the challenge of rebuilding its armed forces while meeting its international commitments.

Bomber Command gradually moved from the Mosquito, Lincoln and Washington to the jet-powered Canberra and the V-force: the Valiant, Vulcan and Victor. As the Cold War intensified, its focus shifted increasingly towards Britain's nuclear deterrent, bringing new demands in aircraft development, crew training, operational readiness and cooperation with the United States.

Erik also examines the development of stand-off weapons, including Blue Boar, Skybolt and Blue Steel, and the decision to adopt the Polaris submarine-launched missile system. We conclude by exploring why Bomber Command ceased to exist as a separate command in 1968.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Bomber Command's responsibilities after VE Day, including Operation Exodus and Tiger Force.
• The return of foreign squadrons and the task of accounting for missing aircrew.
• The transition from wartime aircraft to the Canberra and V-bombers.
• The impact of the Cold War and the shift from conventional to nuclear weapons.
• Training, operational readiness and morale within the V-force.
• The development of Blue Boar, Skybolt and Blue Steel.
• The move towards Britain's submarine-based nuclear deterrent.
• The merger of Bomber Command into Strike Command in 1968.

Guest: Erik Parker

Co-presenter: Jamie Heffer, RAF Bircham Newton Heritage Centre

Related episode: Episode 68 – Joe Wilding on the development of the bomber as a concept.

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