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This trip proved that an empty Lancaster, on three engines, with pitch and throttle settings at maximum endurance can hang in the air for some time. Upon arrival at base, the aerodrome lights were off, in fact, the intelligence briefing was complete and deserted. Upon landing Sobering made the smoothest one of his career. However, on touching down there was a gentle thud as that last 500 lb bomb fell onto the bomb bay doors, but luckily did not slide forward enough to explode.
On returning to the briefing room, where the blackboard shows the names of the skippers on the operation that night, Sobering had the de-moralizing experience of seeing his name crossed off, as he had, in the past, seen many other names crossed off when a crew did not return.
Sobering was awarded the DFC and posted to an OTU (Operational Training Unit) as an instructor. After VE day he volunteered for the Far East, but VJ Day came along unexpectedly before he got there.
In spite of the tensions of war there always seemed to be time for romance. Irene Reddock was a WD at #10 SFTS, at Dauphin, Manitoba were Sobering completed his pilot training to wings level. He had met her there but did nothing about it at Dauphin. However, Irene Reddock showed up in London, England in October 1944, at a Canadian Headquarters dance, which Sobering was attending. Having met yet again, and with the familiar face of a Canadian, a romance sprouted and grew. They were engaged on Christmas Day in 1944, married in London in April 1945, and spent their honeymoon in Southern Ireland.
   
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