You Wouldn't Know There Was aWar On. A Cultural History of New Zealanders Serving in BomberCommand during the Second World War.

摘要

The intention of this project is to reconstruct the culture of New Zealanders serving in BomberCommand of the RAF during the Second World War. Similar work has emerged on the culture ofBritish airmen but cultural histories looking specifically at New Zealand airmen are yet to emerge.In conducting a cultural history of this subject, this paper looks more closely at the airmens'behaviour, routines and emotions. To achieve this, it will focus on three main aspects of the NewZealanders' culture: rivalries, leisure and attitudes. Rivalries were commonplace and includesporting contests, which were encouraged as a morale boosting tool, tensions between members ofaircrews, and also a bitter rivalry between Englishmen and New Zealanders which was caused byunpopular decision making by a handful of English commanders. Forms of leisure were particularlyvaried. Tourism was an activity New Zealanders commonly indulged in, as was visiting friends andextended family on leave, and frequenting the local concerts and stage shows. However it becameclear that they had not quite grown out of their rebellious teenage selves as unsanctioned activitiessuch as joy riding and pranks emerged. In the final chapter it is shown that the cheerful demeanourthe men tried to present was the result of self-censorship to protect their families, and that once theybegan experiencing horrifying situations this demeanour became much harder to maintain.