Press On: Flying Lancaster Bombers Over the Third Reich - Squadron Leader Frank Lawrence DFC DFM RAAF

There have been many other books about the bombing campaign against Nazi Germany 1940-45 but this one is somewhat different and provides details of each loss to the squadron during the operational tour of a particular crew. This book mainly describes the experiences of one Australian volunteer for aircrew who could not have imagined what was ahead, in the long intensive training program to enable him to command a heavy bomber on night raids, or the courage required to 'press on' into the heaviest defences in the world.
Frank Lawrence was a young man from a country town in Queensland, Australia, with a basic education. He volunteered for the RAAF in 1941 and his natural qualities came to the fore as he progressed through the training system to fly Lancaster bombers on two tours of operations against Nazi Germany. In the bombing campaign against Germany the crews with determination to 'press on' to reach the actual target were valued by commanders at all levels. Frank and his crew of other young Aussies on 460 Squadron RAAF acquired this reputation and often returned with photos of the target or close to it.
On one raid in very bad weather ice formed on the Lancaster and the engines ceased to give power, but Frank pressed on, determined to bomb when below the clouds. The ice melted and the engines returned to life, allowing the crew to return safely.
The whole crew was decorated at the end of the first tour of operations.
After time as a flying instructor, Frank returned to operations with 467 Squadron RAAF, but after a dispute with the base commander, returned to 460 Squadron.
Two years before, he had been a new inexperienced Flight Sergeant, a 'sprog', but now was a Squadron Leader and flight commander.
His last bombing raid was on Hitler's famous home at Berchtesgaden, with Hermann Goering under the bombs - unknown to Frank.
Frank flew several of the food-drops to the starving Dutch population, and took liberated prisoners back to England.
The book is in two parts. The first describes the training and operations flown, with the duties of each man in the crew and the effect of the raid, with losses recorded as crews who did not return - all that was known by others on the squadron.
During Frank's first tour, March-August 1943, the entire squadron strength was replaced. On the second tour, very experienced commanders did not return: the lethal night-fighters continued to take a toll.
Part Two provides such detail as is known of the fate of each of the missing aircraft and the crew, and if it was lost to flak or night-fighter, or simply disappeared, with identity of the German pilot if known. Personal details of the bomber crews are provided, including their place of burial or commemoration.
There is also an appendix with detail of the flying careers and fate of the men on Frank's pilot's course at Bundaberg, Australia.
It is a cliché now, but these really were ordinary men doing extraordinary things.
'Press On' is a tribute to them.