Fighting High - Making Their Story Our History

Our History

Inside Bircham Newton: Preserving an RAF Legacy

In this episode of the Fighting High podcast, Steve Darlow visits the RAF Bircham Newton Heritage Centre in Norfolk to meet Jamie Heffer, Chairman of Trustees.

Steve first met Jamie at the July launch of Melody Foreman's book Love as Strong as Death at IWM Duxford, and Jamie subsequently invited him to Bircham Newton to record this podcast.

Bircham Newton has a remarkable RAF history, stretching from the First World War through the inter-war years and into the Second World War. Jamie explains its important role with Coastal Command, including the British, Canadian, Dutch and Fleet Air Arm squadrons that served there.

The conversation also explores the human cost of operations from Bircham Newton, including the station’s Roll of Honour, which records 541 wartime deaths, and the personal stories preserved by the Heritage Centre.

Steve and Jamie also examine some fascinating original photographs, logbooks and memorabilia.

Photographs of items discussed in the podcast can be viewed on the Fighting High website -

https://fightinghigh.com/blogs/news/raf-bircham-newton-podcast-images

Their Story

Spitfire Evader with Tom Hannam

For Tom Hannam, becoming a fighter pilot was a childhood dream. After training in the United States, he returned to Britain and joined 222 (Natal) Squadron, flying Spitfire Vs.

On 27 September 1943, Tom’s Spitfire was hit by a Luftwaffe fighter during an operation over France. Unable to make it back across the Channel, he turned towards the French coast and bailed out behind enemy lines.

What followed was an extraordinary escape. With the help of courageous French civilians and members of the Resistance, Tom moved through occupied France, travelling from Normandy to Paris and Lyon before reaching Perpignan. He then crossed the Pyrenees on foot in winter conditions, eventually reaching Spain and the safety of the British Embassy in Barcelona.

In his own words, Tom recalls the danger, ingenuity and sheer luck that enabled him to evade capture and return to the UK on Christmas Eve 1943.

Hangar Talk

Anson Reborn - Restoring a Wartime Legend

In this Hangar Talk episode of the Fighting High podcast, Steve Darlow speaks to New Zealand businessman and aviation enthusiast Bill Reid about the extraordinary restoration of Avro Anson Mk.I MH120.

Known affectionately as ‘Gentle Annie’, the aircraft was discovered in Australia in a heavily modified and neglected condition. What Bill initially imagined might be a three-to-five-year project ultimately became a ten-year labour of love, involving painstaking research, the recovery of rare components and the efforts of more than 100 people.

Bill describes the challenges of recreating a wartime Anson, including finding original-style cowlings, Fairey Reed propellers, a gun turret and suitable Cheetah engines. He also recalls the excitement of the aircraft’s first flight in 2012, its remarkable reception at airshows, and the emotional connection it provides to the thousands of aircrew who trained in Ansons during the Second World War.

Now flying in Europe under the auspices of RAF Station Czechoslovakia, MH120 continues to bring that history to life.

(The image of Anson MH120 in the podcast graphic is credited to Gavin Conroy)

Insights

Commanding 617 'The Dambusters' Squadron

What does it take to command an elite wartime squadron? In this episode of the Fighting High podcast, Steve Darlow is joined by Dr Robert Owen, official historian 617 Squadron Association, to explore the men who led the unit through the Second World War. From Guy Gibson and the Dams Raid through Harold ‘Mick’ Martin, Leonard Cheshire, Willie Tait and others, they examine contrasting personalities, leadership styles and the challenges each inherited. How did they inspire their crews, maintain exacting standards and adapt to changing operational demands? And which commanding officer would Robert himself have most wanted to serve under?

Remembrance

A Precious Life, His Duty Done

More than 8,000 Bomber Command airmen lost their lives before ever reaching a front-line squadron, the vast majority in flying accidents while training. Their sacrifice is often overlooked, yet it was every bit as real as that of those who flew operations over occupied Europe.

In this Remembrance episode, Steve Darlow visits the former RAF Steeple Morden and nearby Bassingbourn cum Kneesworth Cemetery to explore the human stories behind these sobering statistics. Standing where young Commonwealth airmen once trained on Vickers Wellingtons, he tells the stories of Canadian airman Fred Houston and Australian pilot Bruce Thompson, whose lives ended, on the night of 21/22 July 1941, before they reached the front line. While Fred had crossed the Atlantic to serve, Bruce had travelled literally halfway around the world from Australia to fight in a European war.

Recorded on location and accompanied by the sounds of the countryside they once knew, this episode is a tribute to those whose precious lives were given in the service of duty.

Hangar Talk

The Hampden: Restoring History, Preserving Memory with Darren Priday

The Handley Page Hampden was one of the RAF's most important aircraft during the early years of the Second World War, yet today it remains one of its least remembered.

In this episode, Steve Darlow speaks with Darren Priday, Manager of the Michael Beetham Conservation Centre at the RAF Museum Midlands, about the remarkable conservation of the RAF Museum's Hampden. Their conversation explores the challenges of preserving this rare aircraft, the dedication of those who restored it, and, above all, the powerful human stories of the aircrew, families and survivors whose memories continue to give the Hampden lasting significance.

(The Hampden image used in the podcast graphic is copyright of the RAF museum.)

Our History

Once Upon a Time in War with Melody Foreman

In this episode of the Fighting High Podcast, Steve speaks with author Melody Foreman about her lifelong fascination with wartime stories and the human experiences behind them. Drawing on her background in journalism, biography, and storytelling, Melody explores how memory, artefacts, and personal histories shape her work. She reflects on writing A Spitfire Girl and her relationship with ATA pilot Mary Ellis, highlighting themes of modesty, courage, and resilience. The conversation also covers her research into actors and filmmakers in wartime, revealing how conflict shaped creative lives.

Central to the discussion is her new book, Love as Strong as Death, which tells the intertwined stories of war artist Eric Ravilious and pilot Ginge Culver. Through letters, loss, and love, Melody examines the emotional realities of war, emphasizing storytelling as a powerful way to connect past and present.

Love as Strong as Death is released in June 2026 and available from the Fighting High website www.fightinghigh.com

Remembrance

Spitfire Ace Leonard Haines DFC

In this special remembrance episode, Fighting High tells the story of Flying Officer Leonard Archibald Haines DFC—Battle of Britain ace, leader, and one of Fighter Command’s young heroes. Drawing on his vivid combat reports and deeply personal letters, we follow Leonard from the chaos of Dunkirk through the height of the Battle of Britain, where he claimed multiple victories in the skies over southern England.

But alongside the precision of combat, his letters reveal something more: the voice of a very young pilot—eager, humorous, and determined to do his part.

Newly married and decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross, Leonard’s story does not end in combat, but in tragedy, during a training flight in April 1941.

This episode brings together action and humanity, offering a powerful portrait of a young man at war—and a life cut short.

We will remember him.

Leonards combat reports are taken from the respective chapter in the book Fighting High - WW2 Air Battle Europe.

Leonard's letter excerpts are sourced from the Haines, Leonard Archibald Collection, held in the Ball State University Libraries, Archives and Special Collections - and are reproduced with their permission.

Insights

Light Night Striking Force: The Mosquito Menace

In this episode of the Fighting High Podcast, we explore the story of the Light Night Striking Force—Bomber Command’s fast and highly effective Mosquito force. Joined by author Sean Feast, we trace its evolution from a small diversionary force into a precision striking arm.

Flying the versatile Mosquito, these crews combined speed, skill, and innovation to deliver powerful attacks with remarkable efficiency. We also examine the experienced men behind the missions and challenge long-held assumptions about the force within a force.

This is the story of how a modest idea became one of the most effective elements of the Allied air offensive.

(Senior commanders mentioned in the podcast are: Air Vice Marshal Donald Clifford Tyndall Bennett, CB, CBE, DSO (8 Group); Air Chief Marshal Sir Ralph Alexander Cochrane, GBE, KCB, AFC (5 Group); Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Arthur Travers Harris, 1st Baronet, GCB, OBE, AFC (AOC-in-C Bomber Command).)

The podcast is hosted by Steve Darlow and details of Steve's and Sean's books can be found on www.fightinghigh.com

Details of the two books mentioned in the podcast - Mosquito Down! by Frank Dell and Brett Piper, and Resolute by George Dunn, Ferris Newton and Steve Darlow - can be found on www.fightinghigh.com

(Picture of Guy Lockhart in the graphic is copyright Sean Feast.)

In this opening episode of Series 2 of The Fighting High Podcast, we hear the remarkable story of Lancaster Pathfinder pilot Andrew Desmond Pelly DFC, in his own words.

Recorded in 2010, this interview traces his journey from eager young recruit to captain of a four-engine bomber at just twenty-one. Desmond recalls his training under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, the forging of a tight-knit crew drawn from across the world, and the realities of operations with Bomber Command. From his first nervous sortie to the intense demands of Pathfinder duties—marking targets at the head of the bomber stream—he provides a vivid insight into life in the air war over Europe.

His story reaches a dramatic climax on his 41st operation, when his Lancaster is shot down over Germany. What follows is a powerful account of survival, loss, and captivity, including interrogation by the Gestapo and eventual liberation in 1945.

Reflective, candid, and often understated, Desmond offers a deeply personal perspective on duty, leadership, and the moral complexities of the bombing campaign. This is a compelling first-hand account of courage, professionalism, and the lived experience of Bomber Command aircrew.

This episode includes archive audio recorded during interviews by Steve Darlow with Second World War veterans. These recordings were made during original research for published historical works and are used here with the greatest respect. The purpose of their inclusion is to preserve and share firsthand historical testimony.

For more details about Fighting High books visit www.fightinghigh.com