International Bomber Command Centre

The International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC) is a memorial and interpretation centre telling the story of RAF Bomber Command overlooking the city of Lincoln, in England. Bomber Command suffered extensive losses of aircraft and crews during the Bombing of Germany during World War II.

"IBCC" redirects here. For the online medical texbook, see the Internet Book of Critical Care.

International Bomber Command Centre
AbbreviationIBCC
Formation2011 (2011)
TypeCharity
PurposeTo relate the stories and experiences of the personnel and support staff of Bomber Command.
HeadquartersLincoln, UK
Coordinates53.2139°N 0.53095°W / 53.2139; -0.53095
Main organ
Lincolnshire Bomber Command Memorial
AffiliationsUniversity of Lincoln
Staff
22
Volunteers
648
WebsiteOfficial website

The centre opened to the public at the end of January 2018. The official opening ceremony was held on 12 April 2018,[1] as part of the 100th anniversary celebrations of the RAF.

Lincolnshire Bomber Command Memorial

Objectives

The project was created to act as a point of "recognition, remembrance and reconciliation for Bomber Command".[2]

IBCC aims to tell the personal stories of service men and women of RAF Bomber Command, ground crews and civilians affected by the bombing campaigns on both sides of the conflict during the Second World War and beyond to the Cold War era. The centre provides a comprehensive record of the role of Bomber Command's squadrons and digitally displays historical documents and photographs relating to the activity of Bomber Command, in an interactive and immersive exhibition.[2]

IBCC Digital Archive

The IBCC has created a digital archive on Bomber Command in partnership with the University of Lincoln. The IBCC Digital Archive focuses on people’s stories of RAF Bomber Command and the bombing war in Europe, 1939-1945, from multiple perspectives: on the ground and in the air, military and civilian, and on both sides of the conflict. Much of the archive has never been available for public access before.[3]

Losses Database
The Spire

The IBCC has a comprehensive record of Bomber Command Losses. It holds the records of all losses from 1936 - 1968 and includes details of the individual, their crew, details of how they were lost and, where available, photographs, epitaphs and AIR records.[4]

Canwick Hill site

Location

Located on Canwick Hill, the centre is just under two and half miles from RAF Waddington, which suffered the greatest losses of any Bomber Command station,[2] and close to the former Avro aircraft production facility at Bracebridge Heath. A view of Lincoln Cathedral, a prominent landmark for aircrews, forms an important part of the vista from the centre of the Memorial Spire.[5]

Spire Memorial

Within the grounds of the International Bomber Command Centre sits the Spire Memorial, which was erected on 10 May 2015.[6]

Plates bear the names of aircrew who lost their lives flying from bases in Lincolnshire.
  • The memorial spire
    The memorial spire
  • Aerial view of the Memorial Spire and Walls overlooking Lincoln Cathedral
    Aerial view of the Memorial Spire and Walls overlooking Lincoln Cathedral
  • The visitor centre is named after Roy Chadwick, the designer of the Lancaster Bomber
    The visitor centre is named after Roy Chadwick, the designer of the Lancaster Bomber
  • Remembrance Service, 2021
    Remembrance Service, 2021

See also

References
  1. "Hundreds of Bomber Command veterans gather for centre opening". BBC. 12 April 2018. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  2. "International Bomber Command Centre". International Bomber Command Centre. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  3. "Digital Archive". internationalbcc.co.uk. Retrieved 18 December 2018.
  4. "Losses database". losses.internationalbcc.co.uk. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  5. "International Bomber Command Centre". Visit Lincoln. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  6. Emily Norton (10 May 2015). "New Lincoln landmark as Bomber Command spire is assembled". Stonebow Media Ltd. Retrieved 13 May 2015.
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