Aircrews were put together in a rather haphazard manner. There being no ridged formal assignment, crews were formed largely by picking and choosing amongst themselves. During the training sessions friendships would develop as the pilots, Aimers, Gunners and Navigators trained along side one another, and subsequently spent time in the barracks and local pub together. Over the course of these training and recreational activities, groups would begin to form up based on these friendships and the casual assessments they made of each others skills, personality and sense of humour. In the end, a crew with a common bond and trust in each others skills would emerge. Notwithstanding, adjustments might have to be made, "and were made" if the crew could not function as a team.

Edited Source: Shiela Bryne, 214 family member

TOTAL LOSSES

Fortresses - 1225 sorties 13 aircraft lost (13 obviously wrong, 17 identified to date)

Harrows - Unknown

Stirlings - 1432 sorties 54 aircraft lost (29 Stirlings lost in crashes)

Wellingtons - 1532 sorties 45 aircraft lost

The 214 Squadron suffered the highest percentage losses in 3 Group