"...I consider the actions of Flight Sergeant Norman Cyril Jackson in the skies above Germany more than 80 years ago to be arguably the greatest single act of gallantry in the entire history of the Victoria Cross."
- Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC. Much has been written over the years about the actions on the night of 26/27th April 1944 of Flight Sergeant (later Warrant Officer) Norman Cyril Jackson. Without exception these accounts either contain inaccuracies or are not the full story. For the first time, the most comprehensive and accurate account, as told by Norman to his son David, is published in this book.
This book does not glorify war, it is about duty. The story is of course primarily about Norman Jackson, but it is also about the other young men that he served alongside, and their courage. They were mostly volunteer members of the Royal Air Force: carpenters, engineers, school teachers, plumbers, bank clerks, managers, just ordinary people who answered the call to defend their country in its hour of greatest need. Facing danger night after night as aircrew in Bomber Command, knowing full well that their chances of survival were the lowest among any of the armed services, underlines the outstanding courage of these men. None of them, including their comrades who paid the ultimate price, received official recognition at the end of the war for their service and sacrifice. This book tells the story of Norman's early life through to his leaving the Royal Air Force in 1946. It details all the operations that he flew as a member of 106 Squadron, and for the first time reveals what actually happened on that night above Schweinfurt, which led to him being awarded the Victoria Cross.