Summary In 1940, with Britain and the Commonwealth virtually fighting alone against the Nazi onslaught, Germany began widescale bombing of British cities. The British survived this brutal assault, and, by 1942, Bomber Command, under the direction of Air Marshal Sir Arthur Harris, commenced strategic bombing of German cities. For the British and Canadian aircrews flying the bombers, these may have been revenge attacks, but they were also a grim task to which they were entirely committed in the service of winning the war. The campaign took a tremendous toll, a cost also borne by the Germans on the ground. Hitting Back takes the viewer through a strategic bombing sortie, as experienced by the Allied personnel on the ground and in the air, German defenders, and survivors of the attacks. Bomber Command aircrew woke every morning and prepared for night operations and the many dangers they promised. Aircrew selected for action controlled their fears as best they could, particularly if the target proved to be the heart of German industry in the Ruhr, sardonically nicknamed "Happy Valley." The German defences, a network of radar stations, 88mm anti-aircraft guns, searchlights, and night fighters, inflicted terrible casualties on the attacking bombers and their crews, almost half of whom who were killed or wounded on operations. By 1944-45, Bomber Command routinely dispatched 1,000 or more bombers against German targets every night that weather conditions allowed. The devastating consequences of attacks - like No. 5 Bomber Group's raid against Darmstadt on the night of 11-12 September 1944 - for both for the young men in the skies and the people on the ground, are vividly reflected upon in this film.

• War
• Documentary
• History