Film Lens
Death by Moonlight: Bomber Command is part of the 1992 miniseries The Valour and the Horror, focusing on Canadian pilots in the RAF Bomber Command during World War II. The documentary covers the period from 1942 to 1945, detailing the experiences of over 50,000 Royal Canadian Air Force personnel who served overseas. It examines the transition from strategic bombing to area bombing, under the command of Air Chief Marshal Arthur Harris, and the impact of these tactics on both the air crews and civilian populations in Germany.
Using a combination of first-person interviews, re-enactments, and archival footage, the film presents the psychological and physical toll on the airmen. It addresses the high casualty rates, with one in three airmen killed, and the moral dilemmas faced by returning crews. The documentary also touches on the public perception of these veterans and the historical debate surrounding their actions during the war.
Why Watch
- •See the experiences of over 50,000 RCAF personnel
- •Find out about the shift to area bombing tactics
- •Meet veterans like Doug Harvey and Ken Brown
Did You Know
•Over 50,000 RCAF personnel served in the RAF Bomber Command from 1942 to 1945.
•One in three airmen in Bomber Command was killed in aerial combat.
•The bombing of Hamburg caused over 50,000 casualties, many of whom were civilians.
•The documentary received three Gemini Awards in 1993 for its production.
•The Queen Mother attempted to stop the broadcast of this documentary in 1993.
Perfect For
Canadian military historyWorld War II aviationBombing campaigns