When the guns fell silent in 1945, and Europe emerged from the devastation of World War II, the world celebrated the Allied victory over Nazi Germany. Yet, for the men of RAF Bomber Command, many of whom had become POWS in Stalag Luft III, the return to peace was not accompanied by the hero’s welcome they had anticipated. Instead of recognition and gratitude, they found themselves ostracized, accused of war crimes, and largely erased from the nation’s collective memory. It took nearly 70 years for Britain to finally erect a memorial to commemorate their sacrifice—a delay that speaks of the abject hypocrisy of the British political classes. From Pilot to Navigator, from Rear Gunner to Wireless Operator, each and every man was following the express orders of their military commanders under the authority of the British government.