Senate Member
Posts: 6,112 
May 18th, 2008, 01:10 PM
On 17th May 1943, the RAF attacked German dams using a specially designed, and ingenious, "bouncing bomb", designed by British inventor Barnes Wallis.
The attack was carried out by Royal Air Force No.617 Squadron, who subsequently became known as the Dambusters.
Yesterday was the 65th anniversary of that operation and, to mark the occasion, the world's only flying Lancaster bomber - the type of plane that took part in the operation - flew over Derwent Dam in Derbyshire, where the Dambusters practised dropping their bombs and getting them on target.
Also taking part in the flypast were a couple of Typhoons from today's 617 Squadron.
Eight RAF aircraft were lost and 53 men were killed in the raids. Also, King George VI helped out with the mission...
Pictured: Lancaster bomber in dramatic flypast to mark 65th anniversary of Dambusters raid
17th May 2008
Daily Mail
An artist's impression of the RAF dropping a Bouncing Bomb to attack a German dam in 1943. The bomb bounded across the water until it hit its target.
It was one of the most stirring images of the Second World War - a Lancaster bomber coming in terrifyingly low over a huge dam.
And for the last surviving pilot of the epic Dambusters operation, seeing a bomber flying again must have felt like stepping back in time.
Squadron Leader Les Munro, 89, yesterday took part in a spectacular re-enactment to mark the 65th anniversary of the vital raid.
Bombs away: The world's only flying Lancaster makes a low pass over the Derwent Dam
Instead of Germany's Ruhr Valley below, it was Derbyshire but no less poignant for that.
This was the exact spot the famous bombers had painstakingly prepared for their mission in 1943.
In dummy run after dummy run, the elite RAF crews planned their method of attack on the similar German targets.
Amid the roar of the bomber's four Merlin engines yesterday, Mr Munro said: "I'm not one to get emotional about things but it's very nice to be back here.
"It does surprise me that subsequent generations take part in things like this, but it's up to the individual how they react."
Historic: The Lancaster bombers soars over spectators during its flypast yesterday
Led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson, the pilot and his comrades manned 19 Lancasters from 617 Squadron for the raid.
Thanks to Barnes Wallis's extraordinary “bouncing bomb”, two dams were destroyed but eight British aircraft and 53 men were lost.
Actor Richard Todd, 88, who played Gibson in the famous 1954 film about the mission laid a wreath for the dead yesterday.
For the flypast, a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's Lancaster was chosen to lead, followed by a Spitfire, a Hurricane and two Tornado fighters from the present 617 Squadron.
All the planes flew from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire to take part in the event, which was preceded by a special memorial service on top of the dam.
Crowds throng the riverbank in Derbyshire as the Lancaster completes its anniversary flyby
Fighter support: A Supermarine Spitfire, top, and a Hawker Hurricane in formation
Squadron Leader Munro was accompanied by Michael Gibson, the nephew of Wing Commander Guy Gibson.
Poppies were scattered on the water of the reservoir during the service and two wreaths were also laid in the gatehouse.
Todd said: "It's the most wonderful sight, watching the old Lancaster flying over the dam.
It's a wonderful sight and sound.
"It's very exciting, moving and memorable, I just wish the weather had been a little bit kinder. It's very cold but luckily it's good enough for the fly-past to take place."
Commemoration: Douglas DC-3 transport aircraft takes part in yesterday's anniversary
Andrew Wallis, a musician from Huddersfield, 46, the grandson of Sir Barnes Wallis, the aircraft engineer who devised and planned the raids, was also at the ceremony.
He said: "We're very humbled in thinking that all these people lost their lives so that we could be here today. My grandfather was always very upset about what happened, how many of the pilots and air crew died.
"It pained him for the rest of his life, that he felt in some way responsible. I'm trying to suppress my emotions in some way otherwise I would end up bursting into tears.
"For me, it's the humbling side of it and the fact that I feel some small part of it all. It takes great people to keep everything going. Humanity as a whole is so fragile.
"When the Lancaster went over, it was very exhilarating, the sound, the history."
Wing Commander Guy Gibson of 617 squadron, boarding Lancaster G
Royal approval: (From left to right) Air Vice-Marshall Ralh Cochrane, Wing Commander Guy Gibson, King George VI and Group Captain John Whitworth discuss Operation Chastise in 1943
After the wreaths were laid at exactly 10.30am, the Lancaster bomber came into view at the top of the Derwent Valley and flew low at 100ft in between the two towers of the dam.
It then banked away before circling to return over the dam again. On its third fly-past it was accompanied by two Tornado planes from today's 617 Squadron.
After its final fly-past, a Spitfire and a Hurricane flew over the dam and finally a Dakota transport plane flew past as hundreds of air enthusiasts and servicemen and women watched.
Aftermath: The wrecked Mohne Dam with the massive breach caused by the Dambusters 617 Squadron
Deadly: A prototype of the so-called 'bouncing bomb' developed by Barnes Wallace
dailymail.co.uk
On 17th May 1943, the RAF attacked German dams using a specially designed, and ingenious, "bouncing bomb", designed by British inventor Barnes Wallis.
The attack was carried out by Royal Air Force No.617 Squadron, who subsequently became known as the Dambusters.
Yesterday was the 65th anniversary of that operation and, to mark the occasion, the world's only flying Lancaster bomber - the type of plane that took part in the operation - flew over Derwent Dam in Derbyshire, where the Dambusters practised dropping their bombs and getting them on target.
Also taking part in the flypast were a couple of Typhoons from today's 617 Squadron.
Eight RAF aircraft were lost and 53 men were killed in the raids. Also, King George VI helped out with the mission...
Pictured: Lancaster bomber in dramatic flypast to mark 65th anniversary of Dambusters raid
17th May 2008
Daily Mail
An artist's impression of the RAF dropping a Bouncing Bomb to attack a German dam in 1943. The bomb bounded across the water until it hit its target.
It was one of the most stirring images of the Second World War - a Lancaster bomber coming in terrifyingly low over a huge dam.
And for the last surviving pilot of the epic Dambusters operation, seeing a bomber flying again must have felt like stepping back in time.
Squadron Leader Les Munro, 89, yesterday took part in a spectacular re-enactment to mark the 65th anniversary of the vital raid.
Bombs away: The world's only flying Lancaster makes a low pass over the Derwent Dam
Instead of Germany's Ruhr Valley below, it was Derbyshire but no less poignant for that.
This was the exact spot the famous bombers had painstakingly prepared for their mission in 1943.
In dummy run after dummy run, the elite RAF crews planned their method of attack on the similar German targets.
Amid the roar of the bomber's four Merlin engines yesterday, Mr Munro said: "I'm not one to get emotional about things but it's very nice to be back here.
"It does surprise me that subsequent generations take part in things like this, but it's up to the individual how they react."
Historic: The Lancaster bombers soars over spectators during its flypast yesterday
Led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson, the pilot and his comrades manned 19 Lancasters from 617 Squadron for the raid.
Thanks to Barnes Wallis's extraordinary “bouncing bomb”, two dams were destroyed but eight British aircraft and 53 men were lost.
Actor Richard Todd, 88, who played Gibson in the famous 1954 film about the mission laid a wreath for the dead yesterday.
For the flypast, a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's Lancaster was chosen to lead, followed by a Spitfire, a Hurricane and two Tornado fighters from the present 617 Squadron.
All the planes flew from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire to take part in the event, which was preceded by a special memorial service on top of the dam.
Crowds throng the riverbank in Derbyshire as the Lancaster completes its anniversary flyby Fighter support: A Supermarine Spitfire, top, and a Hawker Hurricane in formation
Squadron Leader Munro was accompanied by Michael Gibson, the nephew of Wing Commander Guy Gibson.
Poppies were scattered on the water of the reservoir during the service and two wreaths were also laid in the gatehouse.
Todd said: "It's the most wonderful sight, watching the old Lancaster flying over the dam.
It's a wonderful sight and sound.
"It's very exciting, moving and memorable, I just wish the weather had been a little bit kinder. It's very cold but luckily it's good enough for the fly-past to take place."
Commemoration: Douglas DC-3 transport aircraft takes part in yesterday's anniversaryAndrew Wallis, a musician from Huddersfield, 46, the grandson of Sir Barnes Wallis, the aircraft engineer who devised and planned the raids, was also at the ceremony.
He said: "We're very humbled in thinking that all these people lost their lives so that we could be here today. My grandfather was always very upset about what happened, how many of the pilots and air crew died.
"It pained him for the rest of his life, that he felt in some way responsible. I'm trying to suppress my emotions in some way otherwise I would end up bursting into tears.
"For me, it's the humbling side of it and the fact that I feel some small part of it all. It takes great people to keep everything going. Humanity as a whole is so fragile.
"When the Lancaster went over, it was very exhilarating, the sound, the history."
Wing Commander Guy Gibson of 617 squadron, boarding Lancaster G
Royal approval: (From left to right) Air Vice-Marshall Ralh Cochrane, Wing Commander Guy Gibson, King George VI and Group Captain John Whitworth discuss Operation Chastise in 1943
After the wreaths were laid at exactly 10.30am, the Lancaster bomber came into view at the top of the Derwent Valley and flew low at 100ft in between the two towers of the dam.
It then banked away before circling to return over the dam again. On its third fly-past it was accompanied by two Tornado planes from today's 617 Squadron.
After its final fly-past, a Spitfire and a Hurricane flew over the dam and finally a Dakota transport plane flew past as hundreds of air enthusiasts and servicemen and women watched.
Aftermath: The wrecked Mohne Dam with the massive breach caused by the Dambusters 617 Squadron
Deadly: A prototype of the so-called 'bouncing bomb' developed by Barnes Wallace
dailymail.co.uk
Senate Member
Posts: 6,112
May 18th, 2008, 01:14 PM
Pictured: Inside the cockpit of the oldest surviving Lancaster bomber
18th May 2008
Daily Mail
It was the most daring air raid the world had ever seen.
The RAF's elite 617 Squadron, nicknamed the Dambusters, flew 19 Lancaster bombers into Nazi Germany and destroyed two Ruhr valley dams with their revolutionary "bouncing bombs".
On the 65th anniversary of Operation Chastise, as the mission was codenamed, this picture shows the cockpit of the oldest surviving Lancaster, S-Sugar.
Now on display at RAF Hendon in London, she flew in 137 Second World War raids – more than any other aircraft.
The cockpit of S-Sugar, the oldest surviving Lancaster
She is 69ft 6in long, 19ft 7in high, has a wingspan of 102ft and was powered by four Merlin 1,280hp engines.
She had a top speed of 287mph, carried a crew of seven and could drop up to 22,000lb of bombs.
The crew comprised a bomb aimer, who lay in the nose of the plane, the pilot, who sat behind and above him, with a flight engineer on a collapsible "dicky" seat to his right.
Behind were a navigator, radio operator, mid-upper gunner and rear gunner.
RAF Hendon's Richard Simpson said: "The Lancaster is an iconic plane and this one is particularly important. It's the oldest, and has the greatest operational history."
Originally called Q-Queenie, S-Sugar did not take part in the Dambusters raids of May 16, 1943, when the Lancasters flew just 60ft above the water before dropping their deadly cargo.
Eight aircraft were lost that day and 53 of the 133 men who took part did not return.
• A new book about the Dambusters, Breaching The German Dams: Flying Into History, was published on Friday and is available from RAF Hendon.
dailymail.co.uk
Pictured: Inside the cockpit of the oldest surviving Lancaster bomber
18th May 2008
Daily Mail
It was the most daring air raid the world had ever seen.
The RAF's elite 617 Squadron, nicknamed the Dambusters, flew 19 Lancaster bombers into Nazi Germany and destroyed two Ruhr valley dams with their revolutionary "bouncing bombs".
On the 65th anniversary of Operation Chastise, as the mission was codenamed, this picture shows the cockpit of the oldest surviving Lancaster, S-Sugar.
Now on display at RAF Hendon in London, she flew in 137 Second World War raids – more than any other aircraft.
The cockpit of S-Sugar, the oldest surviving Lancaster
She is 69ft 6in long, 19ft 7in high, has a wingspan of 102ft and was powered by four Merlin 1,280hp engines.
She had a top speed of 287mph, carried a crew of seven and could drop up to 22,000lb of bombs.
The crew comprised a bomb aimer, who lay in the nose of the plane, the pilot, who sat behind and above him, with a flight engineer on a collapsible "dicky" seat to his right.
Behind were a navigator, radio operator, mid-upper gunner and rear gunner.
RAF Hendon's Richard Simpson said: "The Lancaster is an iconic plane and this one is particularly important. It's the oldest, and has the greatest operational history."
Originally called Q-Queenie, S-Sugar did not take part in the Dambusters raids of May 16, 1943, when the Lancasters flew just 60ft above the water before dropping their deadly cargo.
Eight aircraft were lost that day and 53 of the 133 men who took part did not return.
• A new book about the Dambusters, Breaching The German Dams: Flying Into History, was published on Friday and is available from RAF Hendon.
dailymail.co.uk
Grossly Underrated
Posts: 6,251
Location: In the bush somewhere near Sudbury
Location: In the bush somewhere near Sudbury
May 18th, 2008, 02:21 PM
Halifax was a Handley-Page aircraft. Lanc was Avro.
http://www.warplane.com/
Woof!
Halifax was a Handley-Page aircraft. Lanc was Avro.
http://www.warplane.com/
Woof!
May 18th, 2008, 02:25 PM
Where is the Lancaster in Canuckistan?
Quoting lone wolf
Is it not the same plane though? I always thought they were identical. It's like the Iltis, Bombardier just built the West German piece-o-shyte, but it is the West German vehicle.Where is the Lancaster in Canuckistan?
Grossly Underrated
Posts: 6,251
Location: In the bush somewhere near Sudbury
Location: In the bush somewhere near Sudbury
May 18th, 2008, 02:27 PM
Woof!
Quoting CDNBear
Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum - Mount Hope Airfield, Hamilton. Beautiful collection!
Is it not the same plane though? I always thought they were identical. It's like the Iltis, Bombardier just built the West German piece-o-shyte, but it is the West German vehicle.
Where is the Lancaster in Canuckistan?
Where is the Lancaster in Canuckistan?
Woof!
May 18th, 2008, 02:30 PM
Nice Halifax in the hanger.
Quoting lone wolf
Thanx, will have to make the pilgrimage and have a look. Been to the Museum in Trenton several times. Will again this summer when the oldest heads back there for Air Cadets.
Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum - Mount Hope Airfield, Hamilton. Beautiful collection!
Woof!
Woof!
Nice Halifax in the hanger.
Grossly Underrated
Posts: 6,251
Location: In the bush somewhere near Sudbury
Location: In the bush somewhere near Sudbury
May 18th, 2008, 02:38 PM
Quoting CDNBear
Thanks Bear! I wasn't aware the Halifax was complete. Have to check it out next time I'm down. Parents live within easy driving distance. Last I saw was a documentary on the History Channel. A friend from Trenton has video of the crates being off-loaded. Check out that link a couple of posts back. It's CWHM's home page.
Thanx, will have to make the pilgrimage and have a look. Been to the Museum in Trenton several times. Will again this summer when the oldest heads back there for Air Cadets.
Nice Halifax in the hanger.
Nice Halifax in the hanger.
