In August 1944, the Nazi regime intensified their crackdown on captured Allied airmen, particularly those involved in strategic bombing campaigns. One hundred sixty-eight airmen were captured and branded as 'terror fliers' by the Gestapo, a categorization that reflected the heightened tensions of the war and the Nazis' desire to portray their enemies as ruthless aggressors. Among these men was Phil Lamason, a New Zealand pilot who had been involved in numerous missions against German forces. Following their capture, the airmen were transported to Buchenwald concentration camp, located near Weimar, Germany, notorious for its inhumane conditions and brutal treatment of inmates. Upon their arrival, these men faced a harrowing existence that was meant to serve as both punishment and deterrent to other Allied forces.

The airmen's designation by the Gestapo as 'terror fliers' was emblematic of the propaganda strategies employed by the Nazis to justify their wartime actions. This label was also intended to diminish the moral authority of the Allied bombing campaigns, particularly as they targeted Germany's industrial and military capabilities. The conditions in Buchenwald were dire, with overcrowding, insufficient food, and forced labor contributing to high mortality rates among the incarcerated. During their time in the camp, these Allied airmen endured significant abuse and suffering, which would have lasting impacts on their physical and mental health.

The situation of the captured airmen became an important aspect of post-war discussions regarding the treatment of POWs and war crimes. Their stories would later serve as powerful testimonies against the actions of the Nazi regime. The plight of these men highlighted the broader issues of how warfare blurred the lines of conventional combat and raised questions about the ethics of targeting civilians and industrial centers in wartime strategies.