Air Marshal Sir John Curtiss recounts his 41 year military career, beginning with his enlistment in the RAF in 1942 at 17, his service in Bomber Command during the war, and during the Berlin Airlift after. Sir John finishes by reflecting on the Falklands War and his role commanding operations.

Sir John initially trained as a navigator, eventually becoming the first navigator to achieve the rank of Air Marshal. He describes his experiences flying with various crews and surviving dangerous missions, including a harrowing incident where a bomb fell through their aircraft!

After the war, Sir John moved to Transport Command, where he was redirected from a mission to Singapore to participate in the Berlin Airlift, completing around 263 return trips to Berlin. He highlights the significance of the airlift, and talks proudly about his role in providing essential supplies to the people of Berlin.

Sir John’s career continued to evolve, involving training navigators, serving as a fighter controller, the Ministry of Defence, and eventually commanding operations during the Falklands War as an Air Vice-Marshal. He reflects the heightened stress of leadership where he says he felt the stress of “sending people out, possibly to die”.

Throughout his story Sir John talks proudly about his service, expressing a sense of fulfillment and pride in his contributions.