Reginald George Bain as a navigator No 460 Squadron RAAF in Bomber Command RAF and a prisoner of war in Europe, 1944-1945, interviewed by John Sharpe

Bain speaks of his enlistment in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF); initial service postings and experience, including flying training, anti-submarine patrols and convoy escort across the Indian Ocean; posting to No 460 Squadron RAAF in Bomber Command; flying in Lancaster bombers over Germany; being shot down on the night of 19-20 October 1944 while returning from the Stuttgart bombing raid; the circumstances of his capture and subsequent interrogation by the Germans; internment in Stalag Luft VII Bankau (Poland) and the living conditions in that camp - the food, the heating, the Red Cross parcels, the prison guards, concerts and events which brought some light relief to the men; the long march to Stalag III-A Luckenwalde (Germany); conditions in Stalag III-A, the cold weather, the effect of the lack of food and medical facilities on morale, the role of the Red Cross, the prison guards, how prisoners from various other nationalities reacted to their incarceration, the departure of the German guards as the Russian Army advanced and his escape after the Russian Army stormed the camp; his rescue by the Americans; return to England for a period of convalescence in May 1945; and the help given by the Red Cross Society; repatriation to Australia; discharge from the RAAF and resumption of civilian life.
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