A ‘Lack of Moral Fibre’ in Royal Air Force Bomber Command and Popular Culture

Royal Air Force aircrew endured mental and physical stresses during bombingoperations. Their chances of completing a tour of operations unscathed were aroundone in four, and many were aware the chances were slim. Some who refused to flywere accused of ‘lacking moral fibre’ (LMF). Although this was not a medicaldiagnosis it is frequently viewed through the lens of mental health and reactions totrauma and it has become a powerful and important cultural phenomenon. Thisarticle re-examines LMF in the culture of the wartime Royal Air Force, beforeconsidering how and why LMF is remembered by veterans and in popular historiessince the war.