Bombs away: The world's only flying Lancaster makes a low pass over the Derwent Dam
Posted on 05/16/2008 2:03:23 PM PDT by Stoat
It is one of the most stirring images of the Second World War - a Lancaster bomber coming in terrifyingly low over a huge dam.
Today, the last surviving pilot of the epic Dambusters operation was present to witness a spectacular re-enactment as one of the bombers flew again above the Derwent Valley dam in Derbyshire to mark the 65th anniversary of the raid.
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Bombs away: The world's only flying Lancaster makes a low pass over the Derwent Dam
With the roar of its four Merlin engines echoing, Squadron Leader Les Munro, 89, 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.”
The dam was used for dummy runs by RAF crews preparing to attack three similar targets in Germany's Ruhr valley.
Led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson, 19 Lancasters of 617 Squadron - carrying Barnes Wallis's extraordinary “bouncing bomb” - set out on the 1943 raid.
Two dams were destroyed, but eight aircraft and 53 men were lost.
Today's flypast was led by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's Lancaster and a wreath was laid by Richard Todd, 88, who played Gibson in the 1954 film about the raid.
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Historic: The Lancaster bombers soars over spectators during its flypast yesterday
Also taking part in the fly-past were a Spitfire, a Hurricane, two Tornado fighters from the present 617 Squadron, and a Dakota transport plane.
All the planes flew from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire to take part in the anniversary fly-past, which was preceded by a special memorial service on top of the Derwent dam at 10am.
Squadron Leader Munro was accompanied by Michael Gibson, the nephew of Wing Commander Guy Gibson.
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Crowds throng the riverbank as the Lancaster completes its anniversary flyby
Fighter support: A Supermarine Spitfire, top, and a Hawker Hurricane in formation
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."
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Commemoration: Douglas DC-3 transport aircraft takes part in today's anniversary
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.
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Wing Commander Guy Gibson of 617 squadron, boarding Lancaster G
Royal approval: Air Vice-Marshall Ralh Cochrane, Wing Commander Guy Gibson, King George VI and Group Captain John Whitworth discuss Operation Chastise
"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."
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.
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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
Thank you so much for the Post. My Dad fought in WWII, as did my Mom’s brother, they are all gone now, however I love the information about WWII. I grew up on it. And it brings tears to my eyes, remembering my Dad in his uniform, how handsome he was. My Dad was in the Army Air Corp. 25 years.
One of our engineers remembered that the British had bomb racks that could take the the weight. We borrowed some of these racks that were developed exclusively for the Dambusters. Had the British not built them, it could have delayed the A bomb drops as we would have needed to develop our own racks from scratch.
Thank You Stoat...well done.
I think I see a family resemblance on that face...;)
Lancaster
Speed: 287 mph
Range: 1,660 miles
Ceiling: 24,500 ft.
Bomb Load: 14,000 lb
B-17G
Speed: 287 mph
Range: 2,000 miles
Ceiling: 35,800
Bomb Load: 17,600 lb
The German Ural Bomber was canceled, and the Amerika Bomber didn’t make it past prototype.
HE-177
Speed: 350 mph
Range: 960 miles
Ceiling: 30,800
Standard Load: 15,800 lbs
Note: comparisons not exact.
The advantage of the B-17 over the Lancaster was altitude and range, both of which made daylight bombing possible.
No doubt, the B-29, arriving late in the war, compared to these you listed had improved stats.
I’ll try to compare apples to apples this time from Boeing:
The biggest difference was in range and bombload; the 17-G actually had a higher ceiling.
B-29
Cruising speed - 220 mph
Top speed - 365 mph
Ceiling - 31,850 feet
Bomb load - 20,000-pounds
Range - 5,830 miles
B-17
Cruising speed - 150 mph
Top speed - 287 mph
Ceiling - 35,600 feet
Bomb load - 9,600-pounds
Range - 3,750 miles
ping
One, Joe McCarthy (no, not that one lol).
Just curious...
How well known in America is:
a—the actual raid itself?
b—the classic 1955 film with Richard Todd?
Nice pic and comments. However for others it is NOT the only flying Lancaster in the world. Check out the the Mynarski Lancaster at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton Ontario. Named to honour P/O Andrew Mynarski VC.
www.warplane.com. It flies regularly and for a hefty donation you can get a ride in it.
Newf>
I love that movie. I understand a remake is in the works, though (sadly).
Peter Jackson directing, Stephen Fry writing.
As a Kiwi, Jackson says the new version will be just as British as the original.
Thank you so very much for your excellent background on this story, it’s sincerely appreciated. I’ve read your post over perhaps five or more times because I’ve just been rather awestruck not only by the genius of the planning, design and execution of the raid but in the tremendous bravery of the people involved.....as you say, in a great many ways it’s emblematic of a considerably different age than the one we live in now. There are many occasions when I wish that I had a time machine.....
Thank you again for the great post, and best wishes to you and yours.
Last Friday I took a ride in a T-6D. Even got to take the controls for a little while. Did a barrel-roll and a loop during the half hour flight. (See AmericanWarbird.com) It was a late-arriving Christmas/Birthday present from mrsdd
That’s a formidable team! I can’t wait to see it. But generally I take a dim view of remakes; hopefully this will be the exception.
I wonder what they’ll name the dog in the remake? Heh heh.
Lucky you!!!! Wow.
LOL
Trigger, I gather.
What a spectacular gift, and what a great opportunity!
You are truly Blessed to have such great affection bestowed upon you :-)
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