Pictured: Lancaster bomber in dramatic flypast to mark 65th anniversary of Dambusters raid (U.K.)

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.

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.

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.

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.

Fighter support: A Supermarine Spitfire, top, and a Hawker Hurricane in formation

Poppies were scattered on the water of the reservoir during the service and two wreaths were also laid in the gatehouse of the Derwent Dam.

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

Andrew Wallis, a musician from Huddersfield, 46, is the grandson of Sir Barnes Wallis, the aircraft engineer who devised and planned the raids.

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

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