Dear Mrs Linton Smith,
You will by now have recieved formal notification that your son and his crew have been posted missing. I understand from other 314 sqn crews that their aircraft was seen to be attacked over the coast of Germany by a nightfighter. The reports indicate that D-Daisy was consumed in mid air by a huge explosion and that there is no chance whatever of any of the crew surviving.
I deeply regret your loss and hope that this letter will be of some consolation to you …
The Padre stopped and looked up at the curving ceiling of the Nissen hut for inspiration, so many boys, so many letters like this. Damn, Damn, Damn!