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70 years ago tonight, a force of Lancasters of newly formed 617 Sqn departed RAF Scampton, 20 miles north of where I sit now, to attack the Mohne, Eder and Sorpe dams in western Germany.

Two of the dams were successfully breached. Of the 133 aircrew who departed, 56 failed to return.

Flt Lt John Hopgood DFC & Bar was the second aircraft to attack the Mohne dam, following Wg Cdr Guy Gibson, who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his leadership of the raid. Already having suffered damage and mortal injuries to some of his crew, Hopgood pressed home his attack, only to have his "Upkeep" bounce over the dam and explode under his Lancaster. The two members of his crew who bailed out, are widely credited with the lowest successful abandonment of an aircraft by parachute during the war.

Flt Lt Hopgood's grave, February 2013, Rheinberg Cemetery, Germany.

The Mohne dam, I have walked over that many times. There is a lovely walk over the dam, down the other side and then around the lower lake. You certainly get a feel for it above and below. It did not do much for the war effort, but it was a huge moral boost and piece of engineering that can still hold its own to quite a lot of things today. My wife's grandfather who was in the German air force at the time was still in awe of the feat when speaking about it some 50 plus years later.................

Matt

I have to respectfully disagree Matt, it diverted huge resources from building the Atlantic Wall into rebuilding the dams and affected factories etc. I think people always underestimate the true effects. As a form of economic warfare and resource wasting it was superb.
Amazingly brave bunch of guys whatever way you look at it.

ozzy72 wrote:I have to respectfully disagree Matt, it diverted huge resources from building the Atlantic Wall into rebuilding the dams and affected factories etc. I think people always underestimate the true effects. As a form of economic warfare and resource wasting it was superb.
Amazingly brave bunch of guys whatever way you look at it.

When you look at the damage done, yes it was huge and did divert resources, however, it was all up and running again by September of that year. I think the thing that was underestimated was the speed with which the repairs where done. That aside, it is a something that will still talked about in another 100 years. The shear feat of what was done, was breath taking and the bravery of those involved..........effectively a suicide missions where a few crews got lucky and came home. Can you imagine the social media uproar that would occur if that was to happen in today's clinical casualty free combat that the media wants. It would bring the government down.....

Matt

expat wrote:

ozzy72 wrote:I have to respectfully disagree Matt, it diverted huge resources from building the Atlantic Wall into rebuilding the dams and affected factories etc. I think people always underestimate the true effects. As a form of economic warfare and resource wasting it was superb.
Amazingly brave bunch of guys whatever way you look at it.

When you look at the damage done, yes it was huge and did divert resources, however, it was all up and running again by September of that year. I think the thing that was underestimated was the speed with which the repairs where done. That aside, it is a something that will still talked about in another 100 years. The shear feat of what was done, was breath taking and the bravery of those involved..........effectively a suicide missions where a few crews got lucky and came home. Can you imagine the social media uproar that would occur if that was to happen in today's clinical casualty free combat that the media wants. It would bring the government down.....

Matt

Well said Matt!

The Dambuster raid is something that even I am in awe over and I am a young American! There is no question, it was an incredible feat that will be remembered for a LONG time.