We Sons of World War Two Vets Episode 9. Richard and Jack.
Aug 7, 2025
Richard Foster, a retired IT project manager and the son of ace WWII night fighter pilot Jack Foster, shares his father's remarkable journey. He recounts Jack's daring missions, including shooting down nine enemy aircraft, and fascinating logs detailing battles and a crash in Libya. Richard reflects on Jack's post-war career as a test pilot and the legacy of aerial combat strategies. With stories of family sport and military history, he captures the essence of connection across generations, emphasizing the powerful bonds formed in the skies.
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Birdwatching Shaped Night-Fighter Skills
- Jack Foster took up bird watching at prep school and maintained it for life.
- Richard believes this skill helped his father rapidly identify enemy aircraft at night.
Seven-Hour Flight Ended In Road Crash
- On 14 February 1943 Jack flew Gibraltar to Tripoli and couldn't find Castel Benito.
- They crashed on the outskirts of Tripoli after running out of petrol during the seven-hour flight.
Logbooks Revealed What He Never Told
- Richard had not examined his father's logbooks until preparing the eulogy and discovered detailed combat records then.
- Family records can reveal substantial wartime experience even if veterans rarely spoke of it.
