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On the night of 16th/17th May 1943, 19 specially modified Lancaster bombers of 617 Squadron took off from R.A.F Scampton to execute Operation Chastise, the attack on the dams in Germany's Ruhr valley. The operation would make history because of the bouncing bombs and lead to 617 squadron becoming known as The Dambusters
As part of the Allies bombing campaign against Nazi Germany during the war, A plan was devised to disrupt essential war production bsed in the Ruhr vally. 617 Squadron was an elite Lancaster bomber unit and the raid was led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson VC. How much impact the Dambusters raid had is still debated but what cannot be denied is the bravery of the men involved in the raid and the unique contribution made by Dr.Barnes Wallis who developed the unique bouncing bomb that was used on the raid.
Barnes Wallis worked for the Vickers Aircraft Company. In March 1941, he completed a piece of work entitled "A note on the method of attacking the Axis powers." Wallis had envisaged the Allies using a huge bomb against the Germans, ten tons in weight, so that any building or object was vulnerable to an aerial attack even if it was built underground.
This piece of work asserted that the Allies had to develop a new form of bombing if massive concrete structures were to be destroyed. He wanted much larger bombs built so that the area surrounding where the bombs were dropped would be so massively shaken as to create enough jarring pressure to shake a target to pieces. This would negate the need for t precision bombing as physics would take over once a bomb had exploded.
Wallis proved that a 10 ton bomb dropped at 40,000 feet would go 135 feet into a normal earth or water surface and would create no crater as all energy would be directed into an earthquake effect with potentially devastating consequences. Initially, no one was particularly interested in the idea. No one had ever built a bomb that was 10 tons; no bomber had ever been built that could carry such a bomb and no plane flying then could fly at 40,000 feet. Thus despite the greatness of the idea it appearad impractical at the time.
However, one part of his paper did attract attention. Wallis believed that Germany’s industrial heart could be destroyed if the huge dams in the Ruhr were destroyed unleashing vast quantities of water into the Ruhr industrial sector. An ‘Air Attack on Dams Committee’ was formed in 1941 under the chairmanship Dr. Pye The committee concluded that the primary target should be the Möhne Dam which enclosed the Möhne and Hedve rivers. The dam was 130 feet high and 112 feet thick at its foundation. The top of the structure was 25 feet thick making it a formidable target to destroy.
The first idea Wallis had was to attack the dam with a series of very large bombs in a conventional manner. He quickly dropped this idea as the accuracy required for such an aerial attack was simply beyond the capacity for a bomb aimer at several thousand feet. A bomb would need to land within 50 feet of the dam’s wall for it to be effective and in July 1941, the Air Attack on Dams Committee concluded ther is “no doubt that an attack on the Möhne Dam is impracticable with existing weapons.”
However, Wallis was not to be beaten by a problem. He was keen on the idea of getting an explosive charge as near to the wall of the dam as was possible. Wallis believed that if this could be done on the lakeside of the dam, the vast pressure applied to that side of the damaged wall would be enough to destroy the dam itself.
A torpedo type bomb was ruled out as the Germans had already thought of that as a way of attacking the dam. Anti-torpedo nets protected the dam. Wallis came up with an idea he called "childishly simple". He believed that you could use a bouncing bomb that would clear the protective nets, that would smash into the dam wall, stay intact and then sink to a depth of 30 feet before exploding using a hydrostatic fuse (similar to the ones found in depth charges). To ensure that the bomb went down the dam wall, Wallis planned for the bomb to spin forwards after it had hit the wall – despite the fact that it would be dropped by a bomber spinning backwards!!
Wallis received permission to develop the bomb, code-named ‘Upkeep’. The bomb would be 50 inches in diameter, 60 inches long and weighed 9250 lbs. Of this weight, 6,600 lbs was powerful RDX explosive. The bomb was designed to be mounted across the bomb bay of a Lancaster bomber. It was spun using a system of pivots to which was attached a small motor built into the bomb bay.
Upkeep was not an easy bomb to deliver and the elite of Bomber Command were formed into a brand new squadron designated 617 in March 1943. The Bomb had to be release while flying at exactly 220 mph and at a height of exactly 60 feet above the water. If the Aircraft was forced into a tight turn at this height, one of its wing tips would barely be above the surface of the water. Precision flying at its best was needed just to get the bomb in motion. To add to the difficulties, the crew had to drop the bomb at exactly 425 yards from the dam wall. There could only be 25 yards margin of error, a tiny amount of given the speed the Lancaster's would be flying at, plus the fact that German guns would be targeting them! To add to the task, the attack was also scheduled to be carried out at night.
Wing Commander Guy Gibson was allowed to select the men who were to be on the mission. Gibson was ordered by ‘Bomber’ Harris, head of Bomber Command, to pick men who had survived near enough 60 bombing raids as these men would have the necessary experience needed for the attack. 617 squadron started extensive sessions of low flying but none of them knew the target they were practicing for until the mission was on.
70 years ago today, on the night of May 16th, 1943, nineteen Lancaster bombers took off from Scampton in Lincolnshire. They had three primary targets: the Möhne, Eder and Sorpe dams and two secondary ones, the Lister and the Eneppe dams. Of the nnineteen aircraft that took off Nine were to attack the Möhne dam, then proceed to the Eder; five were to attack the Sorpe; and five constituted a 'flying reserve'. On the outward journey three aircraft were shot down and two damaged one Lancaster had to turn back as it had hit the sea on the journey to mainland Europe and lost its bomb, that’s how low these guys had to fly! Three of the 14 surviving aircraft were lost in the attacks.
Gibson led the first attack. At 00.56 hours, the Möhne Dam was breached and by 01.54 hours so was the Eder Dam. The Sorpe Dam was attacked by planes from the reserve force but, though hit, the dam held out. Three of the 14 surviving aircraft were lost in the attacks. Severe flooding occurred where the Möhne Dam was breached. 1,200 people were killed including nearly 600 forced labourers from Eastern Europe who were housed in a labour camp near Neheim. Six small electricity works were damaged and rail lines passing through the Möhne Valley were disrupted. When the Eder Dam broke, there were similar results. Kassel, an important arms producing town, was reached by the floodwater, but little actual damage was done. Had the Sorpe Dam been breached, then the damage would have been much greater. The potential for a major disaster was recognised by Albert Speer who stated Ruhr production “would have suffered the heaviest possible blow”
The impact of the raid is still debated, the damage done by 617 squadron was repaired quite quickly. But possibly the most important impact of the raid was that 20,000 men working on the Atlantic Wall had been moved to the Ruhr to carry out repairs to the damaged and breached dams. Impacting on defenses needed to repel any invasion of France by the Allies.
The attack had huge propaganda value and made Gibson a national hero. Of the 133 crew involved 56 wherelost but three of these men survived to become prisoners-of-war. Gibson was awarded the Victoria Cross for bringing round his Lancaster to give covering fire to the Lancasters that were following up his attack on the Möhne Dam. 33 others members of 617 squadron were also decorated. The Dambusters squadron was retained as a specialist precision bombing unit. Gibson was shot down and killed in September 1944; he was only 26
The Dambusters have been immortalized in World War Two folklore as a result of their attack on the dams of the Ruhr. And the 1955 film The Dam Busters. Even the title music of the film is now embedded in popular public culture and synonymous with the raids.
But did you know the title music was not written for that film? The score had been written before the composer had been approached and he only accepted the job as the film was sold to him as being ‘important to the nation’ The march is now the musical setting for the hymn "God is our strength and refuge", based on Psalm 46 – Which I had the quire sing at my wedding!!
Also see the following: http://www.itv.com/news/...aid-operation-chastise/
http://www.raf.mod.uk/hi...y/Thestoryoftheraid.cfm
“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.”
-Mark Twain
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 Rank: Pro Groups: Joined: 24/08/2009 Posts: 48,051 Points: -13,308
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Great tribute Jase, this image is fitting reminder of the 617 Dambuster Sqdn..Tomick attached the following image(s):
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A wonderful piece of work there Jase, Well done and as said, a fitting tribute to real heroes. I have heard tell that Peter Jackson (Lord of the Rings) hopes to make a re-make of the Dambusters, with his grasp of superb CGI what a brilliant film that would make! (And I'd like to see him do 'Sink the Bismark' too!  ) Well done Jase Robin First wooden ship: The Grimsby 12 Gun 'Frigate' by Constructo Second: Bounty DelPrado Part Works Third: HMS Victory DelPrado Part Works 1/100 scale Diorama of the Battle of the Brandywine from the American Revolutionary War Diorama of the Battle of New Falkland (unfinished sci-fi), Great War Centenary Diorama of the Messines Ridge Assault Index for the Victory diary is on page 1
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Plymouth57 wrote:A wonderful piece of work there Jase, Well done and as said, a fitting tribute to real heroes. I have heard tell that Peter Jackson (Lord of the Rings) hopes to make a re-make of the Dambusters, with his grasp of superb CGI what a brilliant film that would make! (And I'd like to see him do 'Sink the Bismark' too! ) Well done Jase Robin Thanks Robin Yes i belive a re make is on the books I have located a website that alows toy to watch sink the bismarck in its original cinama widescrean for free - but you will have to wait for 27 May Bismarck special for that  “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.”
-Mark Twain
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Rank: Pro Groups: Joined: 24/08/2009 Posts: 48,051 Points: -13,308
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Plymouth57 wrote:A wonderful piece of work there Jase, Well done and as said, a fitting tribute to real heroes. I have heard tell that Peter Jackson (Lord of the Rings) hopes to make a re-make of the Dambusters, with his grasp of superb CGI what a brilliant film that would make! (And I'd like to see him do 'Sink the Bismark' too! ) Well done Jase Robin The Dambuster remake was underway and dummy Lancs built, but it has ground to a halt with the Hobbit film taking priority. So for now the remake appears to have been shelved.
No actual casting been announced and the date of when real life filming will begin is still a matter of speculation, other than Stephen Fry being the screenplay writer.
A couple of the first screen shots from where they were at in 2009 below..Tomick attached the following image(s):
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Rank: Pro Groups: Joined: 24/08/2009 Posts: 48,051 Points: -13,308
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A fine tribute Jase, well done and thanks very much for taking the time to put that together - good stuff!!
Kev
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Rank: Pro Groups: Registered
Joined: 05/12/2012 Posts: 258 Points: 754 Location: manchester
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i agree jase a fine tribute to the brave men of 617 squadron
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Tomick wrote:Plymouth57 wrote:A wonderful piece of work there Jase, Well done and as said, a fitting tribute to real heroes. I have heard tell that Peter Jackson (Lord of the Rings) hopes to make a re-make of the Dambusters, with his grasp of superb CGI what a brilliant film that would make! (And I'd like to see him do 'Sink the Bismark' too! ) Well done Jase Robin The Dambuster remake was underway and dummy Lancs built, but it has ground to a halt and also the Hobbit film taking priority. So for now the remake appears to have been shelved.
No actual casting has yet been announced, and the date of when real life filming will begin is still a matter of speculation, other than Stephen Fry being the screenplay writer.
A couple of the first screen shots from where they were at in 2009 below.. Lets hope they finish the film “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.”
-Mark Twain
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 Rank: Master    Groups: Registered
Joined: 15/04/2010 Posts: 1,266 Points: 3,841 Location: The Quantock Hills,Somerset
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jase wrote:Tomick wrote:Plymouth57 wrote:A wonderful piece of work there Jase, Well done and as said, a fitting tribute to real heroes. I have heard tell that Peter Jackson (Lord of the Rings) hopes to make a re-make of the Dambusters, with his grasp of superb CGI what a brilliant film that would make! (And I'd like to see him do 'Sink the Bismark' too! ) Well done Jase Robin The Dambuster remake was underway and dummy Lancs built, but it has ground to a halt and also the Hobbit film taking priority. So for now the remake appears to have been shelved.
No actual casting has yet been announced, and the date of when real life filming will begin is still a matter of speculation, other than Stephen Fry being the screenplay writer.
A couple of the first screen shots from where they were at in 2009 below.. Lets hope they finish the film Sorry,have to disagree with you there Jase,with current pc attitudes they cannot stick ti history.The dog whos name was a crucial codeword has to be called Digger.The original film I feel is a far more fitting trbute with it being in black & white it lends more atmosphere,even the actors bore more than a passing resemblance to the actual people involved. This is just my opinion,others are available,but don't fix what isn't broken. Rob Nolli Illigitimi Carborundum!!!Current Builds: HMS Victory, SV Thermopylae
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I agree with what you are saying Rob, The Dambusters movie is a classic and will always remain so. What I am thinking is simply that with todays amazing CGI effects even classic films can be remade, not to replace the originals but to take advantage of the new 'realism' available to film makers. Take the classic "Tora Tora Tora" and the the modern "Pearl Harbour" for instance. I've watched Tora from beginning to end many times, I haven't watched Pearl right through once but the battle scenes, I've watched them dozens of times! The detonation of the Arizona's magazine where the entire battleship lifts and bulges is both brilliant and ultra realistic. In the same Pearl film there are scenes of the Battle of Britain (once again the Yanks come to save us etc. etc. etc.!)  but can you imagine if the (again classic) The Battle of Britain was re-made to those standards? You are right again about the actors in Dambusters, their resemblance to the actual characters was amazing and like you, I really wish the self important PC brigade would keep their dirty little fingers out of our history. The one thing which always lets it down for me though (everytime I watch it right through yet again!) is the explosion effects when the bombs detonate. I would just love to see a modern version done, and I would LOVE to see a CGI Hood and Bismark slogging it out! Maybe a modern version could even have the Bismark NOT shooting down a single Swordfish just like real life too! Robin First wooden ship: The Grimsby 12 Gun 'Frigate' by Constructo Second: Bounty DelPrado Part Works Third: HMS Victory DelPrado Part Works 1/100 scale Diorama of the Battle of the Brandywine from the American Revolutionary War Diorama of the Battle of New Falkland (unfinished sci-fi), Great War Centenary Diorama of the Messines Ridge Assault Index for the Victory diary is on page 1
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I have to agree Robin I love classic films but the new possibilities today with CGI would make such a difference. Sink the bismarck, 633 squadron, Battle of the river plate imagine them filmed in a retro 'saving private rian' style with modern CGI Also classic films are still heavily effected by propaganda of the time we know much more today about the facts. But I also agree about the PC brigade the fact is the dogs name was what it was and to be truly historically correct you have to keep it to reflect the time. “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.”
-Mark Twain
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