Night after night aircrews of RAF Bomber Command flew in darkness and in fear over hundred of miles of enemy-occupied territory facing anti-aircraft fire, mid-air collisions and enemy fighter pilots. 

The casualty rate was 44.4 percent for this military unit, while thousands more were seriously injured or captured. Despite the dismal odds of survival, Bomber Command was able to provide a continuous flow of aircrew from many nations throughout the war. Incredibly, their average age was only 21 years and all were volunteers.

The memory of their unmatched courage, sacrifice and devotion to duty must never be forgotten. 

More than eighty of Sgt. Toomey's fellow prisoners at Stalag Luft VII are mentioned here.

They include bomber aircrew, fighter and glider pilots from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Poland, South Africa, Ireland, United States, Rhodesia, the Netherlands, Malta, Belgium and Czechoslovakia.