Award-winning actor Ewan McGregor (Star Wars, Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Trainspotting) and his aviator brother Colin document the creation of Royal Air Force’s Bomber Command in BOMBER BOYS, a two-hour special premiering Sunday May 5 at 8 p.m. ET/10p.m. PT on Discovery World. Focusing primarily on the men who fought and died in the skies above occupied Europe in the Second World War, BOMBER BOYS is a story of individual heroism and extraordinary collective spirit. The special traces the obstacles and challenges that were overcome as the RAF developed and deployed the awesome fighting force that was Bomber Command during a six-year period from 1939-1945.
The work of Bomber Command has not been without controversy – area bombing had a devastating impact on German cities and civilian populations. BOMBER BOYS reveals the crushing impact of the air force group and the reaction to it immediately after the war had been won. During the special, the McGregor brothers look at both sides of the moral and ethical arguments about the role of Bomber Command, and explore how these issues have cast a shadow in some people’s minds over the achievements of the aircrews. BOMBER BOYS also looks at the transformative leaps in technology and skill as the RAF learned how to hit targets across Europe with ever-increasing accuracy and far greater force. The documentary reveals how navigational and explosive technology transformed the fortunes of Bomber Command in just a few short years between 1940 and 1944.
The McGregor brothers do more than stand by idly – Colin fulfils a lifetime ambition by flying one of the only two surviving Lancaster Bombers, while Ewan learns the challenges of navigating, bomb-aiming, bomb-dropping, and being a tail-gunner. The film also reflects on the history of the 617 Squadron and catches up with today’s crews on active service in Afghanistan. Furthermore, the brothers get the opportunity to meet a number of key surviving members of the 617 Squadron, including squadron Leader Tony Iveson who started the war flying Spitfires in the Battle of Britain and ended as a decorated Lancaster pilot. For three years, Iveson and 617 Squadron played a central role in the bombing offensive over German cities. The special also features meetings with pilots from the other side – Rolf Ebhardt recounts his time shooting down many Lancasters using the Luftwaffe’s devastating new weapon Schrage Music – Jazz Music – which took a terrible toll on the streams of Lancasters heading into Germany.
Additionally, BOMBER BOYS highlights the career of Arthur ‘Bomber’ Harris who changed the course of the war with his new approach to strategic bombing as well as uncovering the lesser-known history of Barnes Wallis – one of a number of brilliant scientists who helped transform the way air war was waged by inventing the famous bouncing bomb.
