Insights

Light Night Striking Force: The Mosquito Menace

In this episode of the Fighting High Podcast, we explore the story of the Light Night Striking Force—Bomber Command’s fast and highly effective Mosquito force. Joined by author Sean Feast, we trace its evolution from a small diversionary force into a precision striking arm.

Flying the versatile Mosquito, these crews combined speed, skill, and innovation to deliver powerful attacks with remarkable efficiency. We also examine the experienced men behind the missions and challenge long-held assumptions about the force within a force.

This is the story of how a modest idea became one of the most effective elements of the Allied air offensive.

(Senior commanders mentioned in the podcast are: Air Vice Marshal Donald Clifford Tyndall Bennett, CB, CBE, DSO (8 Group); Air Chief Marshal Sir Ralph Alexander Cochrane, GBE, KCB, AFC (5 Group); Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Arthur Travers Harris, 1st Baronet, GCB, OBE, AFC (AOC-in-C Bomber Command).)

The podcast is hosted by Steve Darlow and details of Steve's and Sean's books can be found on www.fightinghigh.com

Details of the two books mentioned in the podcast - Mosquito Down! by Frank Dell and Brett Piper, and Resolute by George Dunn, Ferris Newton and Steve Darlow - can be found on www.fightinghigh.com

(Picture of Guy Lockhart in the graphic is copyright Sean Feast.)

In this opening episode of Series 2 of The Fighting High Podcast, we hear the remarkable story of Lancaster Pathfinder pilot Andrew Desmond Pelly DFC, in his own words.

Recorded in 2010, this interview traces his journey from eager young recruit to captain of a four-engine bomber at just twenty-one. Desmond recalls his training under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, the forging of a tight-knit crew drawn from across the world, and the realities of operations with Bomber Command. From his first nervous sortie to the intense demands of Pathfinder duties—marking targets at the head of the bomber stream—he provides a vivid insight into life in the air war over Europe.

His story reaches a dramatic climax on his 41st operation, when his Lancaster is shot down over Germany. What follows is a powerful account of survival, loss, and captivity, including interrogation by the Gestapo and eventual liberation in 1945.

Reflective, candid, and often understated, Desmond offers a deeply personal perspective on duty, leadership, and the moral complexities of the bombing campaign. This is a compelling first-hand account of courage, professionalism, and the lived experience of Bomber Command aircrew.

This episode includes archive audio recorded during interviews by Steve Darlow with Second World War veterans. These recordings were made during original research for published historical works and are used here with the greatest respect. The purpose of their inclusion is to preserve and share firsthand historical testimony.

For more details about Fighting High books visit www.fightinghigh.com

Our History

Making Spitfire, Lancaster, Mosquito: Planes, People, Passion

In this episode of the Fighting High podcast, author Sean Feast sits down with award-winning film editor and director David Fairhead to explore the journey behind some of the most celebrated aviation documentaries of recent years.

David reflects on his early fascination with filmmaking and why editing is at the heart of storytelling and how that craft prepared him for directing.

The conversation then turns to the making of Spitfire, Lancaster and the forthcoming Mosquito. David shares how Spitfire began as a passion project fuelled by determination rather than budget, the challenges of filming rare aircraft in the air, and the five-year struggle to bring the story to the screen. He discusses lessons learned on Lancaster, including capturing 38 invaluable Bomber Command interviews, and reveals how Mosquito completes an unplanned trilogy—films that are ultimately less about aircraft and more about the people who flew, maintained and lived through them.

A rich, personal insight into filmmaking, history and remembrance.

Directed by David Fairhead and Ant Palmer Lancaster was released in 2022 and Spitfire in 2018.