The Dambusters Raid - Animated

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  • Опубликовано: 27 сен 2024
  • Operation Chastise, 16th-17th May 1943 - 19 Avro Lancasters take off from RAF Scampton to smash the great hydro-electric dams of the Ruhr using an innovative new weapon. They would become known as The Dambusters.
    Dam Busters: The True Story of the Inventors and Airmen Who Led the Devastating Raid to Smash the German Dams in 1943 - James Holland: amzn.to/2VsAXJs (US)
    / theoperationsroom
    / the_ops_room
    Music: www.purple-pla...
    Maps: maps-for-free....
    All images are public domain.

Комментарии • 1,3 тыс.

  • @TheOperationsRoom
    @TheOperationsRoom  4 года назад +763

    Hello Ladies and Gents. Your positive comments really are appreciated. I create these videos in my spare time around a full time day job. Each one takes around 60-70 man hours of effort to produce, even longer on complex videos like Schweinfurt-Regensburg and the Battle of Midway.
    My goal is to reach 100k subscribers by the end of 2020. If you enjoy The Operations Room, it would be awesome if you could please subscribe!

    • @jmartin9785
      @jmartin9785 4 года назад +14

      The Operations Room : What a great video! Had me on the edge of my seat! I was aware of the dam busters, but never in such detail! Your voice in the narration is also perfect for this! Thanks, I’m heading for the subscribe button!🌈🇺🇸🇬🇧🇺🇸

    • @cenlasmiths
      @cenlasmiths 4 года назад +7

      Brilliant videos. Well done, Sir. I'm happy to subscribe.

    • @charliemorris2338
      @charliemorris2338 4 года назад +6

      My hats off to you for the lump in my throat as for my father was in WWII and would never talk about what he saw but i know it messed him up pretty bad.

    • @HARDRODE
      @HARDRODE 4 года назад +2

      Good channel ... Best , like a Briefing. Thank you . really , well done.

    • @nelsonstone4777
      @nelsonstone4777 4 года назад

  • @Supergeologist
    @Supergeologist 4 года назад +528

    One of the less recognised effects of this raid is that thousands of workers and many tons of materials were specifically diverted from the atlantic wall defences in northern France to repair the damage. So in a way this raid contributed to the success of D Day.

    • @DaveSCameron
      @DaveSCameron 2 года назад +1

      Nein

    • @packersfanforlife7903
      @packersfanforlife7903 2 года назад +3

      Mental! Amazing the affect this had.

    • @Andy-ub3ub
      @Andy-ub3ub 2 года назад +18

      @@DaveSCameron there was more than 9

    • @stephen4036
      @stephen4036 Год назад

      Day d is SO overrated.. lol. Amazing when england isreal and america control western propaganda. Wonder why they get all the credit and other countries sacrifice means nothing. If you were to believe Hollywood's you think the war started when america entered which they only did for selfish reasons, nit to help humanity lmao. More Russians and Chinese died tha anyone and america and england shamelessly killed as many civilians or more than Japan and Germany. Let that all sink in.

    • @patricknorton5788
      @patricknorton5788 Год назад +1

      Yes, and also the thousands of captive laborers who died as a result of the flood. And also German civilians. Very sad, but it was a war for survival on all sides, and even some of the Germans said "this is what our Fuhrer has given us".

  • @mbrenner3629
    @mbrenner3629 4 года назад +1335

    These raids were the basis for George Lucas to write the attack on the Death Star in Star Wars, he was a huge fan of the movie The Dam Busters

    • @g.k.1669
      @g.k.1669 4 года назад +48

      Too funny. When I started watching this video I was reminded of the Star Wars movie.

    • @bezahltersystemtroll5055
      @bezahltersystemtroll5055 4 года назад +70

      Star Wars = WWII in space + Eastern mysticism

    • @anthonyrobinson7715
      @anthonyrobinson7715 4 года назад +3

      Good to know!

    • @owo5869
      @owo5869 4 года назад +3

      Bezahlter Systemtroll This is the formula for great movie at that time. But i see Tarantino movie as the same though.

    • @spacebeam6480
      @spacebeam6480 4 года назад +15

      633 Squadron was also inspiration.

  • @petehall889
    @petehall889 4 года назад +432

    My father, Sqn Ldr Geoffrey Hall, DFC & Bar, a twenty-three year-old flying Lancs on his second tour of operations with 61 Sqn from R.A.F. Syerston at the time, sent a letter to his parents on the 22nd May 1943, five days after the raid. He says and I quote: "what do you think of the effort on the German Dams? Pretty colossal wasn't it? I knew a good many of the chaps who did it - old Gibson was one of the Wing Commanders here before he left for that special job. He already has a DSO and Bar and DFC and Bar, so I don't know what they'll give him for this show. It certainly has caused a sensation, and must be a shocking headache for old Hitler, and for the occupants of the Ruhr, who already have enough worry with the bombing..." Dad was lucky and survived the war, never losing either an aircraft or crew member, despite lots of holes in his aeroplane from flak and night-fighters. More than fifty-five and a half thousand Bomber Command aircrew were not so fortunate and gave their lives. We should remember them and all those on both sides who suffered during this terrible conflict...

    • @hoatattis7283
      @hoatattis7283 4 года назад +9

      pete Hall : Well said and we should honour them

    • @suzannechapman4302
      @suzannechapman4302 4 года назад +13

      Thanks Pete for telling us this wonderful piece of history. We are indepted to their heroicism and selfless sacrifice.

    • @wattage2007
      @wattage2007 4 года назад +7

      Great to hear the words of the bomber boys live on. Thank you.

    • @petehall889
      @petehall889 4 года назад +16

      @@suzannechapman4302 Thank you for your kind comment, Suzanne. Married in 1941, Mum was always so relieved and grateful when Dad returned safely from a raid. Most people don't realise that, although there was conscription to the RAF, all members of aircrew were volunteers. Brave men indeed.

    • @suzannechapman4302
      @suzannechapman4302 4 года назад +7

      @@petehall889 Your very welcome, Pete. l wonder what people like your dad and mum would think about what is going on, not just in this country, but the world in general. For me, it feels an insult to their memory and the sacrifices their generation made. Terribly sad! Very best wishes and again, thank you.

  • @B61Mod12
    @B61Mod12 4 года назад +235

    2:21 The mine mounted underneath his aircraft clips THE SEA!!!! ????? holy F that is low flying!

    • @patrickinottawa27
      @patrickinottawa27 4 года назад +43

      My uncle Chester Bruce Gowrie was the wireless operator. I would have loved to of asked him about that. Unfortunately, they were all killed Dec 20, 1943 during an aborted raid on an arms factory in Liege, and all buried together in Gosselies Communal cemetery In Holland. The spotlights they were using to judge altitude failed or were mis-calibrated. Frankly, 60 feet over water at night, all you have to do is cough, sneeze or fart and your in the water.

    • @jackl5642
      @jackl5642 3 года назад +30

      The RAF have a history of extreme low altitude attacks. In American "red flag" training exercises a RAF Vulcan bomber reportedly flew so low to the ground it cut power lines with its tai fin. The height of the power lines in question was found to be just 39 ft. when they were repaired!

    • @s208richard8
      @s208richard8 3 года назад +14

      During the early Red Flag exercises, the Buccaneers climbed from 10 feet to 20 feet to avoid leaving dust trails across the desert! Check out some of the interviews on YT.

    • @MarsFKA
      @MarsFKA 3 года назад +2

      @@patrickinottawa27 At the time Rice lost his bomb he was still over the North Sea and being shot at. He flew lower, to avoid the incoming fire, and hit the water. He wasn't using his spotlights.

    • @patrickinottawa27
      @patrickinottawa27 3 года назад

      ​@@MarsFKA May I ask where you got that version. I'd like to learn as much as I can, but finding a good source of information, as so many stories have been told is next to impossible.

  • @intertr0ns
    @intertr0ns 4 года назад +116

    Having visited both the Möhne & Eder dams it left me in wonder and absolute awe as to how the crews got their big bombers down into the valley's in the first place, & at night & under fire. So very brave & skilful.

    • @garylove5475
      @garylove5475 25 дней назад

      I too visited the Eder and stood on the parapet wall trying to visualise the 617 Lancs flying towards me as the few gunners there would have seen it. Awesome flying and bravery.

  • @twizzle103
    @twizzle103 4 года назад +178

    What a leader Gibson was. He drew fire after fire for his men (as well as Martin), only to then lead the second attack as well on the Eder Dam.

    • @SpeccyMan
      @SpeccyMan 3 года назад +10

      And he did all that whilst mourning the loss of his beloved dog.

    • @itsmeagain1018
      @itsmeagain1018 3 года назад +14

      @@SpeccyMan name the dog ........i dare you........the name has been removed from the original film and the plaque where the dog is buried...so silly erasing history...i mean real history.

    • @wierdalien1
      @wierdalien1 3 года назад +2

      @@itsmeagain1018 oh fuck off.

    • @GabrielKish
      @GabrielKish 3 года назад +12

      Talk about brave. Exposing himself to fire to protect his mates...
      I'd say it's like something out of a movie except the whole raid is like something out of a movie.
      WWII had many "unbelievable but true" battles in it.
      The greatest generation is no lie.

    • @RedRocket4000
      @RedRocket4000 3 года назад +3

      @@GabrielKish Oh yes. Audi Murphy's real feats were so unbelievable that when they asked him to play himself in a movie of him in the war he had them remove the best of them on account no one would believe he did that.
      Plus at end of one of his greatest firing a 50 cal off a burning Tank Destroyer while calling in artillery strikes as he walks away from the TD it explodes not harming him a moment that you think should only be in fiction.

  • @Simon_de_Cornouailles
    @Simon_de_Cornouailles 4 года назад +1343

    The average age of RAF aircrew at the time is estimated to have been 21.
    Wing Commander Gibson was a grand old man of 24 when he led this raid.
    Astonishing.

    • @HAMlLTON
      @HAMlLTON 4 года назад +105

      Almost 26, haven’t done shit with my life. Thanks

    • @jtgd
      @jtgd 3 года назад +12

      @akjohnny a time without necessity

    • @brutusvonmanhammer
      @brutusvonmanhammer 3 года назад +66

      @@HAMlLTON if you spend a little time each day just remembering what lads like Gibson did for us, then yours will be a life well spent

    • @cj5312
      @cj5312 3 года назад +17

      @@brutusvonmanhammer I agree. Brave men like this cannot be forgotten. Bless them.

    • @DrDirtNips
      @DrDirtNips 3 года назад +25

      They literally gave all their years up to stop a madman. So young.

  • @mattwordsworth9825
    @mattwordsworth9825 3 года назад +56

    The RAF has a history with having fearless pilots and crews.

    • @Frankie2012channel
      @Frankie2012channel 2 года назад +3

      True, but that's a viewpoint of the winner in history. If one were to mention the fearlessness of the Japanese Pilots, including those who volunteered for Kamikaze missions, their own fearlessness would be chalked up to 'fanaticism'. It's all heroism if it's your side, fanaticism if it's the enemy's side. But it's all the same. Young men who showed bravery in the face of death.

    • @mattwordsworth9825
      @mattwordsworth9825 2 года назад +6

      @@Frankie2012channel the difference is one was fighting for the right side and one was fighting for the wrong side. Unlike WWI where there was no clear wrong or right side WWII clearly had wrong and right sides

    • @lyndoncmp5751
      @lyndoncmp5751 7 месяцев назад

      @Frankie2012channel
      Those kamikaze pilots were crazy. Flying so careless like that they'd have a good chance of getting themselves killed.
      😉

  • @artistjoh
    @artistjoh 4 года назад +16

    I was born in 1955, the same year that The Dam Busters film came out. So I grew up with the story of the raid. Most people thought Guy Gibson was the hero, but as a nerd who loved science, Barnes Wallis was my hero. A film well worth watching, filmed in real Lancaster bombers that were modified to look exactly like the Dam Buster Lancasters. It is a pity that so many young people these days are unaware of this incredible story of a real life genius engineer combined with the amazing courage of Guy Gibson and his crews.

    • @gooble69
      @gooble69 4 года назад

      I was born in 1970 and to me growing up WW2 seemed like ancient history. It's only recently that I really appreciate that all this was going on only 25 years before my time. My grandfather fought in the Battle of Crete, and my father later served in the Air Force. It freaks me out now that some of those old timers when I was a kid actually fought in this war.

    • @artistjoh
      @artistjoh 4 года назад +3

      gooble69 Yes, none of us who weren’t there can know if we would have the courage to face what those men faced with such courage. The natural instinct is to duck for cover if you see someone shooting at you. I think many of us could be forced into facing it with bravery, but the way Guy Gibson and his fellow Dambusters voluntarily flew their aircraft into intense anti-aircraft fire on a mission that would be dangerous even without the enemy fire is a cut above what ordinary men can do.
      Of course the Dambusters became famous, but the majority of remarkable bravery goes relatively unnoticed. I am reminded of Australian Canberra bomber pilots in the Vietnam war. American aircraft and training was for higher altitude bombing, but in Vietnam there was a lot of low cloud. The Australian’s however had adapted to low level high accuracy bombing so they were employed as battlefield close support, flying in just above tree placing bombs on gun and mortar emplacements within a 20 meter accuracy. They would release the bombs and then climb in an attempt to outrun the fragmentation envelope from their own bombs. Many Canberras would return to base full of holes and injury to crew from their own bombs, yet each aircraft flew two crews on 12 hour shifts with 8 sorties a day/night 24/7 and every time they flew they knew they might not come back. Some didn’t. I have huge respect for men who can endure that day after day, flying directly into gunfire, but doing it because there were thousands of soldiers on the ground whose lives might be saved by their actions. All who serve need to be appreciated for what they are prepared to do for the rest of us.
      My grandfather was a machine gunner at Ypres in the First World War. A shrapnel bomb went off directly above him. I have seen newspaper reports of him continuing to operate the gun for quite some time before he lost consciousness. He had a metal plate in his head, and a steel pin down his leg but it was considerably shorter than the other leg when I knew him as a child. He died in 1963. I cannot imagine such horrific wounds yet he kept on firing at the Germans, despite a hole in his skull, and an almost completely severed leg. These people did incredible things.

    • @wilburfinnigan2142
      @wilburfinnigan2142 Год назад

      It is a shame that so many that died down stream from the flood were prisoners, innocent people, little toward stopping the war !!!

  • @gsmith4679
    @gsmith4679 4 года назад +73

    The courage of these men is stunning. Flying and maneuvering in a tight valley, at night at low altitude is an amazing display of airmanship.

    • @gsmith4679
      @gsmith4679 4 года назад

      Alan Lane Very true.

    • @gsmith4679
      @gsmith4679 4 года назад +2

      I should add that my comments regarding courage of the crew encompass the actions of the gunners, navigator bombardiers etc. Did not mean to suggest only the pilots were courageous.

    • @concise707
      @concise707 3 года назад

      And, in the case of the Moehne, while under intense fire AND showing lights....

    • @richardmarshall4322
      @richardmarshall4322 2 года назад +1

      Quite. I have visited all 3 dams and the Eder is the most impresive as a target. Steep hills all around and when you look at the run in and exit route behind the dam it looks increadibly difficult. Definately the most difficult to attack. Thank goodness it was undefended. The skill required to get a large aircraft like a Lanc down to 60ft at 240 mph then hold straight and level to get the mine off properly with only moonlight and 1000ft hills looming up is staggering. If you get the chance visit the Dam, well worth it. The repair on both Eder and Mohne still visible. Mohne Dam an increadible structure. Looks impossible to knock down. The brilliance of Wallis.

  • @mrchippy1709
    @mrchippy1709 4 года назад +109

    Astoundingly brave men. RIP all WW2 veterans, we remember your sacrifice.

  • @johnreed3638
    @johnreed3638 2 года назад +25

    These men were very brave and so their history should never be forgotten.

  • @josepablolunasanchez1283
    @josepablolunasanchez1283 3 года назад +137

    "It's a hit"
    "Negative. It impacted on the surface"
    Star Wars episode IV

    • @alexrusset8614
      @alexrusset8614 3 года назад +1

      My thoughts exactly.

    • @TheSlamburger
      @TheSlamburger 3 года назад +19

      Interestingly, this raid was the inspiration for the trench run.

    • @QualityPen
      @QualityPen 3 года назад

      Use the force

  • @bdbdluk954
    @bdbdluk954 4 года назад +331

    ive heard of this mission, but my god i had no idea the the mission was that dangerous. god bless the boys, when you think about the sacrafices you do and how hard it is, take a second to think about the selfless sacrifice of these men.

    • @rb1179
      @rb1179 4 года назад +23

      Pretty amazing how they figured out the proper altitude at which to drop the bouncing bomb; there were two spotlights on each aircraft, one at the nose, the other at the tail. Both were angled toward the center of the aircraft and turned on. When the beams met and formed a single bright white dot on the water surface, they knew there were at the right altitude. The bomb sight was even easier and just as clever. A simple wooden contraption with two vertical pieces on a horizontal piece. When those lined up with towers on the dam, they knew they were at the right distance to drop. Pretty amazing effort for mixed results.

    • @Hubidubi18
      @Hubidubi18 4 года назад +1

      well what this story misses out are that they killed more then 1.5k PoW with that mission.

    • @bobtaylor170
      @bobtaylor170 4 года назад +11

      @AcidBot66 , yes, and of course, we all know the Wehrmacht and the Luftwaffe didn't do that kind of damage. Peaceniks, basically.

    • @bobtaylor170
      @bobtaylor170 4 года назад +18

      @AcidBot66 , I've been in the middle of a battlefield. I've seen women and children killed or screaming in wounded agony. You don't have to tell me how awful it is. My point is that Germany started it, and we know the atrocities they committed when they could and when they felt like doing so. I'm simply objecting to your ludicrous blaming of the Allies as though they had started the whole thing. Maybe you're a pacifist instead of just some assh*le troll. If so, I expect that if you're ever confronted with such evil, you'll be consistent and let yourself be killed. Others have always believed they had a right and duty to fight back to protect innocent life. If you want to blame anyone, blame the German war criminals who were the aggressors.

    • @maxmullen6337
      @maxmullen6337 4 года назад +12

      AcidBot66 AcidBot66. I remember the war. I was only a child but even in lucky Britain (we suffered much less than most other European countries) life was quite tough.
      First of all we had appeased Hitler for years, allowing him to invade country after country, including reneging on the solemn promise not to invade Czechoslovakia further. We then warned that no more concessions could be made.
      However Hitler continued and he invaded Poland. We really had no option but to declare war.
      After the experience of First World War no one was in any doubt that casualties would be high, but this time many would be civilian casualties, including of course children.
      After five years of war about 300,000 British service people were dead plus about 60,000 civilians were dead. And still a thousand British civilians were being killed every month (plus service men and woman of course). Not a lot by European standards but miserable just the same. People wanted the war ended.
      Who is to say that the British people (and other allied nations) were not justified in insisting the war be ended by any means.
      If you had been around then, would you really have been willing to die or see your children die in order to protect the people who had brought this human tragedy upon you?
      We won’t mention that by the middle of the war the extent of crimes against humanity committed by Germany and Japan were off the scale. Millions murdered - not killed in battle. Simply murdered. Mass murder for the sake of mass murder!!

  • @chronoserpent
    @chronoserpent 3 года назад +46

    "They are there to do a job, and won't leave until it's done." This sent chills down my spine. I've read about this raid before but you really explained it well. The aircrews' bravery is astounding. I can't imagine what it must have been like to successfully complete the attack only to be shot down crossing the coast, minutes from home. Thank you for including the photos of the men at the end to put it all in context.

    • @34Realist
      @34Realist Год назад

      They killed only civilians, not very brave

  • @ianmacfarlane1241
    @ianmacfarlane1241 4 года назад +24

    Let's not forget how old these men were - barely older than 20 years old.
    Incredible bravery.

    • @simongleaden2864
      @simongleaden2864 4 года назад +1

      Gibson was only 24 at the time and a wing commander (Lt.Col. USAAF equivalent).

    • @dickmonkey-king1271
      @dickmonkey-king1271 3 года назад +6

      At 20 I didn't even have the courage to say I'd ordered a Pepsi not a Tango.

  • @phineascampbell3103
    @phineascampbell3103 2 года назад +5

    I love learning about all the individual little details of things that were implemented during the war. That they put torpedo nets in front of the dams. The hoods on vehicle lights. Different types of technology. Changes to routine life. So many features that aren't instantly obvious. I love learning about them all.

    • @AndrewGivens
      @AndrewGivens Год назад

      Great comment. Life growing up on the 'Home Front' for my grandparents was so very different to what I experienced four decades later. We can always look at the period of the first year of lockdown to get a feel of how much war affects everyday life.

  • @bushpilot223
    @bushpilot223 4 года назад +181

    The spin wasn't just to help them skip--i believe it also helped the mine butt up against the dam once it went underwater, instead of bouncing off.

    • @TheOperationsRoom
      @TheOperationsRoom  4 года назад +69

      That's correct. Wall hugged the dam on the way down

    • @TorontoJediMaster
      @TorontoJediMaster 4 года назад +17

      I believe that the backspin's main role to assist with the skipping. Discovering that it helped keep the mine against the dam wall was a bonus Wallis discovered during testing.

    • @FernandoPartridge
      @FernandoPartridge 4 года назад +3

      Wasn't it originally intended as an anti shipping weapon on a smaller scale??

    • @deborahponnaiya4867
      @deborahponnaiya4867 4 года назад +1

      @@TorontoJediMaster There's the video of the prototype bomb trials somewhere on RUclips, in case you've not seen it yet

    • @deborahponnaiya4867
      @deborahponnaiya4867 4 года назад +2

      @@FernandoPartridge It was developed by Barnes Wallis to breach the dams in the Ruhr.

  • @wattage2007
    @wattage2007 4 года назад +31

    Brings tears to my eyes thinking of those young mens' incomprehensible courage.

    • @bjornwenzel2683
      @bjornwenzel2683 4 года назад +1

      wattage2007 Brings tears in my eyes thinking about all those innocent civilians and prisoners of war, that drowned by the water masses released from the broken dams.

    • @wattage2007
      @wattage2007 4 года назад +9

      Björn Wenzel No it doesn’t, you don’t actually give a fuck about them, be honest. I take it you’re from one of those countries which remained neutral or collaborated with the Nazis? That would explain your views.

    • @vidright
      @vidright 4 года назад +2

      wattage2007 „Interesting“ comment. Obviously in your opinion only the „right“ civilian victims are real victims.

    • @wattage2007
      @wattage2007 4 года назад +6

      vidright It was an all out war, cretin. Are you another Nazi sympathiser?

    • @vidright
      @vidright 4 года назад +3

      wattage2007 When i‘m reading your cynical comments, i can find more nazi-ideology than probably a lot of people in germany between 1933 and 1945 ever had.

  • @justandy333
    @justandy333 4 года назад +17

    The thing I never realised about the whole raid was just how much time the bombers spend loitering around the target area. I thought it was a quick in and out dash. Not spend 20 minutes hanging around queuing up escentially. Those airmen must of had nerves of steel. I can't even begin to articulate how much respect I have for those brave airmen and indeed all of the forces that gave us our freedom we enjoy today. Thankyou.

    • @stanley8869
      @stanley8869 4 года назад

      I agree. I also didn't realise how long planes spent circling targets and doing practice/failed bombing runs. Where were the night fighters? The Lancasters would have been sitting ducks. The video also shows mistakes in allocating planes to targets when only one plane attacked the Sorpe Dam.
      The video shows well the dangers of low-level flying. It is a tragedy that two highly-experienced crews perished by hitting power-lines. Imagine flying at night over enemy territory at an altitude where you hit power lines.
      One point I would have added is about one of the bombs that cleared the Mohne Dam and remained unexploded. I read a source that the Nazis found the bomb and tried to copy its design to use against British dams. As a result the British fortified their own dam defences.
      Once again I am shaken by how dangerous flying bombers was, not to mention the horrendous conditions on the ground faced by civilians.

    • @justandy333
      @justandy333 4 года назад

      @@stanley8869 - you are correct, 1 of the 'upkeep' bombs bounced over the Mohne dam and into the power houses below but did not detonate and was later recovered by the Nazis.

    • @greghaug5336
      @greghaug5336 4 года назад +1

      @@justandy333 it was Barlow's crashed plane that yielded the Upkeep to the Nazis, not Hopgood's at the Moehne.

    • @justandy333
      @justandy333 4 года назад

      @@greghaug5336 - hmm, I got some re-researching to do, I swear I read that in James Hollands book. watch this space ;)

    • @MarsFKA
      @MarsFKA 4 года назад

      @@justandy333 Greg is correct that Barlow's upkeep was recovered intact by the Germans. The bombs had a self-destruct that was activated when they were released, so that if the hydrostatic pistols failed to set them off, the self-destruct would after ninety seconds. Barlow's bomb did not activate its self-destruct when the aircraft crashed. All the other bombs carried by aircraft that crashed on their way to their targets detonated.
      Hopgood's bomb cleared the parapet of the dam and landed on the powerhouse, which was blown to bits when the self-destruct activated.

  • @InFamousAlex209
    @InFamousAlex209 3 года назад +5

    The time stamp at the top really puts the stress of the mission into perspective. Absolutely amazing touch.

  • @trevbunn7407
    @trevbunn7407 4 года назад +14

    It was really helpful to have the raid presented in such a concise overview. I have been reading about these guys on and off for over 60 years so this work of yours refreshed it all. Thank you!

  • @AndrewGivens
    @AndrewGivens Год назад +2

    "Four Avro Lancaster heavy bombers of 617 Squadron roar down the runway at RAF Scampton and leap into the air."
    Evocative words to start his video.
    I've long felt that the motif which opens the Dambusters March was meant to sound like four Merlins starting up, one by one, before the aircraft rolls down the runway and takes off, but now I can also hear it four *aircraft* "roaring down the runway" before "leaping into the air".
    Thank you for this new take.

  • @davidross4036
    @davidross4036 4 года назад +10

    Read accounts of this operation but didn’t realize until now what it truly involved. They deserve to be remembered in full. Thank you!

    • @K1lostream
      @K1lostream 3 года назад +1

      David Ross - If you've read accounts, you should have a fuller picture already than this video gives.
      There was an awful lot more involved that this video didn't cover or barely mentioned - things like the development of the bomb, and how exactly they measured they were flying at sixty feet to deploy the bomb. This video is good to give the outline to someone who knows nothing, but its far from the whole story.

    • @davidross4036
      @davidross4036 3 года назад

      @@K1lostream I’ll keep researching this. Thanks!

  • @tdamtoft
    @tdamtoft 4 года назад +4

    A forensic analysis and still with empathy and emotion, bloody brilliant!

  • @cropathfinder
    @cropathfinder 4 года назад +4

    One of the best display's of professionalism and dedication towards the mission above all.

  • @chrisleeb
    @chrisleeb 4 года назад +21

    Talk about bravery.... My nerves were shot the entire video.
    If those men can only see what the world they fought and died for has become. So sad. I miss the old days terribly

    • @wattage2007
      @wattage2007 4 года назад +2

      In some ways it's a relief they're no longer around. They're in a better place than the world as it is now.

    • @jellynonotthatone8924
      @jellynonotthatone8924 4 года назад

      you can miss the old days all day, or, while not forgetting the past, make the present even greater! :)

  • @nigeljames6017
    @nigeljames6017 4 года назад +4

    Thanks for this video. On a slightly different tangent to others who had relatives involved in this raid, my Father was a mechanical engineer who helped design and install the bomb bay doors on the aircraft. He worked closely with Barnes Wallis.

  • @farrelljohnson
    @farrelljohnson 3 года назад +5

    What amazes me the most is that this was pulled off at night. How was there enough navigation marks around the dams? Massive respect to the pilots!
    Great video! Love this channel.

    • @spitfiremark1a768
      @spitfiremark1a768 3 года назад

      At night against heavy fire using a high altitude bomber being used as a torpedo bomber. Using a wood or string bombsight. The altimeters did not work below 100 feet.
      The fact that 2 dams were breached was a miracle in itself.

  • @rayo1883
    @rayo1883 4 года назад +5

    Fantastic series.
    This type of visual presentation makes everything much clearer.

  • @belchnasty
    @belchnasty 4 года назад +11

    Along with Mark Felton these are excellent productions! Thanks for researching and posting

    • @simonlloyd7557
      @simonlloyd7557 3 года назад

      100% these lads put professional braodcasters to shame.

  • @redactedagentdataexpunged9431
    @redactedagentdataexpunged9431 Год назад +2

    Yesterday, George "Johnny" Johnson, the last surviving member of 617 Squadron on that night in 1943, died at the age 101

  • @Bramon83
    @Bramon83 2 года назад +2

    God bless these men, on both sides.

  • @chrisbullock3504
    @chrisbullock3504 4 года назад +11

    These guys were truly the maddest of all lads

  • @Volcano-Man
    @Volcano-Man Год назад +1

    Many years ago I had the honour to meet Mick Martin and Dave Shannon. They both admitted that Chastise was rather scary, but rejected being called 'Heroes,' telling people 'We were at war, a war we had to win. Yes there were many heroes, and I am proud to say I actually new several heroes; but me a hero?, No!, I had a job to do - and was determined to do it to the best of my - and my crews ability. Sadly many of my brothers failed to return.'

  • @doctorbritain9632
    @doctorbritain9632 5 лет назад +18

    The sheer bravery of the aircrew is very humbling.

    • @TheOperationsRoom
      @TheOperationsRoom  5 лет назад +8

      During the research for this video, i was astounded by Gibson's actions. Its miraculous he survived the raid.

    • @davidmarshall1259
      @davidmarshall1259 5 лет назад +2

      @James Henderson ahaaaa,, my favourite troll, i was wondering when you'd show up.

  • @_cubedude_2505
    @_cubedude_2505 2 года назад +2

    I actually got to visit their practice dam a couple of years ago, unknown to me at the time what the dam had been used for. Looking back at it its cool to see how much history there was at this insignificant dam in the middle of nowhere.

  • @brycepatties
    @brycepatties 3 года назад +4

    I really love how you talk about a lot of air missions. It seems like, on a lot of military history channels, air actions get overlooked compared to land and naval actions.

  • @charlestaylor3027
    @charlestaylor3027 2 года назад +2

    The signal sending the Dambusters out is in the display cabinet at NATS Prestwick

  • @steve5825
    @steve5825 4 года назад +14

    These are the definition of heroes....not bloody footballers! What skill to find their targets in the dark and what bravery to press home their attacks when they were essentially sitting ducks.

  • @Mostrom
    @Mostrom 4 года назад +2

    A well presented way of showing what happened on that famous night...it highlighted how dangerous it was flying at low level with power lines and especially flak being a major problem

  • @Imnotyourdoormat
    @Imnotyourdoormat 5 лет назад +10

    the backspin wasnt so much to aid in skippage, but to ensure it wouldnt roll forward and climb up and over the dam after contact. with the backspin it would bounce back, sink then detonate causing maximum damage by the second, hydraulic concussion effect after the initial blast. which is how a near miss with a depth charge or bomb, can still sink a ship.

    • @TheOperationsRoom
      @TheOperationsRoom  5 лет назад +8

      Charlotte, it was actually a combination of wall hugging after contact as you say, skippage, and aerodynamic stability in flight, much like the spin imparted on bullets

    • @Imnotyourdoormat
      @Imnotyourdoormat 5 лет назад +5

      you bet.......

    • @Imnotyourdoormat
      @Imnotyourdoormat 5 лет назад +6

      with the correct rotation of the sphere, it would literally climb down the dam, keeping constant pressure on it...."wall-hugging"...is a perfect analogy.

    • @Imnotyourdoormat
      @Imnotyourdoormat 5 лет назад +7

      do you ever marvel at how many tanks main guns are smooth-bore but still zap-accurate?

    • @Imnotyourdoormat
      @Imnotyourdoormat 4 года назад +1

      to my knowledge yes, they did...they also tried to build a german version of the mosquito too, but the R.A.F. bombed the plant that made the epoxy so it failed...but the TA-154 was bad-ass.

  • @Penfold-8521
    @Penfold-8521 17 дней назад +1

    Been to the Moehne damm when I was stationed in Germany, we used to have a dinghy sailing club there. You can still see the repaired part in contrast to the original build.

  • @AussieVet
    @AussieVet 5 лет назад +9

    Wow thanks man this was a wayyyyy busier engagement than I first thought!

    • @qball1of1
      @qball1of1 3 года назад +1

      And they hung around there circling circling..I always thought it was a line it up and gfto of there..obviously not. As I mentioned above not to have had any night fighter interference was just incredible.

  • @Bulwarkz
    @Bulwarkz 3 года назад +3

    Absolute pro level channel. Amazingly accurate work. Job well done to The Operations Room team!

  • @ForeverDoubting
    @ForeverDoubting 3 года назад +12

    Bomber crews, I feel are one of those unsung heroes often forgotten. What those brave men went through is more then a match for the more commonly known hardships. It's not a contest of course, I just feel it's one of the areas of the war often overlooked.
    Kind of like merchant seamen and their tribulations during the U-boat attacks.
    Thanks for bringing this to life.
    Your tone, your cadence and the writing are succinct, to the point, yet very touching.

  • @Rtu776
    @Rtu776 Год назад

    Your channel has finally put it all together clearly what happened and when that fateful night. Many thanks for another job well done.

  • @vcv6560
    @vcv6560 4 года назад +3

    Tremendous! Your illustrated course plot of the flight gave me new appreciation of Gibson's forces; just how difficult and uniquely each had to be attacked.

  • @StephenLuke
    @StephenLuke 4 месяца назад +2

    RIP
    To the 53 British airmen, 1,000 POWs and slave laborers (mainly Soviet), and 1,600 German civilians who were killed in Operation Chastise

  • @gmarshall1026
    @gmarshall1026 4 года назад +3

    To everyone that was involved in this mission you are all legends

  • @sam8742
    @sam8742 3 года назад +6

    watching this with google maps puts this into perspective

  • @dbaider9467
    @dbaider9467 4 года назад +12

    I've seen the movie, read the books but in 10 minutes you encapsulated the losses to flak much better. We stand, and fly, on the shoulders of giants.

  • @adventussaxonum448
    @adventussaxonum448 2 года назад +2

    Pretty sure that I read about an old chap (Aussie, I think) whose family were clearing his house after he'd died, when they came across the citation for his medal. They never realised he was a Dambuster.... he'd never told them.

  • @lockeloeckchen
    @lockeloeckchen 4 года назад +8

    My Grandfather was 3 years old on this days. His Sister carry him with a barrow on a Hill, to save him from the water of the Eder dam.

    • @petergreenwald9639
      @petergreenwald9639 4 года назад +1

      I hope they lived peacefully after this terrible war.

  • @Cabin_Fever13
    @Cabin_Fever13 2 года назад +2

    If I ever became dictator of the world, i’d mandate everyone under 20 years old watch every single video from this channel. Horrible history but it needs to be taught.

  • @aidenwrenn5342
    @aidenwrenn5342 4 года назад +168

    Such incredibly brave young men. What a debt we owe them.

    • @davekp6773
      @davekp6773 4 года назад +9

      They are in their early 20s, I mean this is just difficult to put my head around.

    • @bezahltersystemtroll5055
      @bezahltersystemtroll5055 4 года назад +3

      @Bell Maximus Cattus war will not always be with us and is not necessary. Read Jared Diamond.

    • @johnprice7303
      @johnprice7303 4 года назад

      Hear hear! with bloody great knobs on!

    •  4 года назад

      @Bell Maximus Cattus "How will we grow out of wars?" - a world closely resembling the best of all Utopian constructs is, unfortunately, many centuries away. We've a long way to go with many more hurdles such as self-induced extinction to contend with. It may be that time is running out for us.

    • @barfuss2007
      @barfuss2007 4 года назад +4

      no brave men but war criminals

  • @richardsuggs8108
    @richardsuggs8108 4 года назад +21

    One of my relatives was on that raid. He was injured but survived.

    • @richardsuggs8108
      @richardsuggs8108 4 года назад +3

      AcidBot66 actually he recovered from his wounds was awarded a medal for his efforts and lived a long life.

    • @Hectopath2006
      @Hectopath2006 4 года назад +2

      @AcidBot66 ok, looking at it, you're just an ignorant asshole.

    • @RoderickTiernan
      @RoderickTiernan 4 года назад +1

      AcidBot66 Are you Satan or what?

    • @shieldde6209
      @shieldde6209 4 года назад +1

      @@RoderickTiernan Satan Worshipper to be accurate

    • @RoderickTiernan
      @RoderickTiernan 4 года назад

      ShieldBuddy WoT MCPE Memes Indeed lmao

  • @billrich9722
    @billrich9722 3 года назад +2

    I'll admit it; I'm a sucker for this kind of heroism. I'm not talking about the idea of skipping bombs at a wall. I'm talking about the bombers overflying ahead of their companions to draw fire. It's beautiful.

    • @mvhsm
      @mvhsm 3 года назад

      And not just flying overhead once but multiple times! The courage and commitment they had is beyond admirable.

  • @alanbobbymcguire5099
    @alanbobbymcguire5099 Год назад

    The raid having taken place on the sixteenth of May. My birthday. Gives me nothing but pure pride to be born on these British isles in the early sixties What an achievement.

  • @EazZiB
    @EazZiB 4 года назад +3

    Undeniable bravery from these special men

  • @Mark93944
    @Mark93944 3 года назад +2

    Glad I found this channel. Absolutely class work!

  • @richardmourdock2719
    @richardmourdock2719 4 года назад +4

    Incredible courage and sacrifice. I hear of such stories and wonder how it is we live in the shadows of such people.

  • @AureliusR
    @AureliusR 2 года назад +1

    I just cannot help but tear up when I see the planes go down. The unbelievably bravery needed to undertake a mission like this, and the avalanche of heartbreak they must have felt as their plane hit power lines or was shot down. And the one crew who lost radio but headed for home, only to be shot down... oof. Just hits me hard. The skill of the pilots and the courage shown to fly ahead of each other to draw fire... it's simply amazing. 53 young men died but they achieved their goals of destroying dams and diverting resources...

    • @40hup
      @40hup Год назад

      In other words they were accomplished war criminals by any moral standard - destroying civilian infrastructure, drowning thousands of civilians, kids and women alike, and a lot of allied POWs - their comrades - too. The same attack today would land all persons involved in Den Haag and then in Prison for life. Right now, we are condemning Russia for targetting Ukrainian civilian infrastructure - but this targeted dam demolition was "heros deed"? I beg to differ. Maybe it was neccessary, or at least useful in an all out war 80 years ago, but it is certainly nothing to celebrate in the 21st century.

    • @davefave4351
      @davefave4351 8 месяцев назад

      ​@@40hupSo war is a difficult concept for you to grasp?
      Do you know you can't make an omelette without cracking eggs?

    • @40hup
      @40hup 8 месяцев назад

      @@davefave4351 The concept of war does not require you to celebrate actions that are clear war crimes today. That should also not be to difficult to grasp. War does not legitimize every action.

  • @JungleYT
    @JungleYT 4 года назад +5

    My heart goes out to those brave pilots... Especially the ones who didn't make it Home.

  • @ozboomer_au
    @ozboomer_au 4 года назад +1

    Great video... and very informative and interesting storytelling. My uncle was a radio/navigator on one of the Lancaster bombers.. but I never knew any details of his squadron, missions, etc... but I always wore his lambswool vest when I was little in the 1960s. Always fascinated by this aspect of the war. Tahnks so much for the video.

  • @honest1296
    @honest1296 Год назад +3

    It's bravery and courage beyond words. All alone over enemy territory.

  • @peternash5495
    @peternash5495 4 года назад +2

    Glad that Anderson gets a mention. As he was an NCO pilot (Gibson thought NCO Aircrew weren't worth anything), he was accused of not trying hard enough and promptly posted away.

  • @fro99er2
    @fro99er2 5 лет назад +8

    10/10 video this is amazing please keep making more!

  • @teamtoobs
    @teamtoobs 3 года назад +1

    A most excellent video! Informative with no over-dramatics, gives us a very clear view of developments, never seen before. Thank you!

  • @bradz9413
    @bradz9413 3 года назад +1

    This channel and its content makes me salivate. I could not dream up content done better than this.

  • @Forestowo
    @Forestowo 5 лет назад +8

    Just great material. Thank you :)

  • @MrEDET
    @MrEDET 4 года назад +2

    Awesome video. Such a clear explanation of this astonishing mission. Thank you.

  • @Wallyworld30
    @Wallyworld30 5 лет назад +11

    One of the Dambuster's that were shot down and captured was interrogated about how the bombs work. He told them everything down to how many RPM's the bombs need to spun. One thing he left out however was that the bomb needed to be spun backwards so the Nazi's were never able to get the Dam Buster bombs to work. Source: Bizmarks channel from a video he posted yesterday.

    • @TheOperationsRoom
      @TheOperationsRoom  5 лет назад +3

      Very good channel. I recommend!

    • @Wallyworld30
      @Wallyworld30 5 лет назад +4

      @@TheOperationsRoom Agreed, he's renamed the channel to Military Aviation History I believe.

    • @hughgrection4205
      @hughgrection4205 4 года назад +2

      Do you think the Germans were that stupid they couldn't figure that out in an instant. Your comment is garbage.

    • @fabiovezzari2895
      @fabiovezzari2895 4 года назад +1

      @@hughgrection4205 they might have figured it out by themselves what the right spin sense was. It is weird that this news come from Bismarck channel.

    • @andrewallen9993
      @andrewallen9993 4 года назад +1

      @@fabiovezzari2895 As they discovered atomic fission three years before the allies why didn't they create the atomic bomb first then?

  • @coops1964
    @coops1964 Год назад +1

    Absolute heroes one and all. RIP those who sadly lost their lives.

  • @camilogarrido6899
    @camilogarrido6899 5 лет назад +3

    Great video. I'm glad I found this channel. Amazing production!

  • @VCYT
    @VCYT 3 года назад +1

    RAF pilot -- '' What!, I just heard someone say , 'use the force Luke' ''

  • @richardgamblin1078
    @richardgamblin1078 4 года назад +3

    Have seen and read several different accounts of this mission. This was a very interesting and different version ,well done.

  • @donaldclay9535
    @donaldclay9535 3 года назад +1

    Richard Todd Movie of the Mission was Great, May He R.I.P.

  • @davidmarshall1259
    @davidmarshall1259 5 лет назад +4

    truly superb story telling. i loved every minute of this, just like i did the film.

  • @herseem
    @herseem Год назад

    The most enlightened I've ever been about this raid in such a consensed presentation. Really brings home the risks and the horror of it all as well as the engenuity and the courage and bravery. Your presentations are the tops, which is why I subscribed after the first one I watched.

  • @mrwri
    @mrwri 4 года назад +5

    Almost inconcievable bravery.

  • @mybestieischloer2401
    @mybestieischloer2401 2 года назад +1

    bouncing bombs,thinking out side the box.the heroism and courage of those men is undeniable.

  • @maureenleigh4724
    @maureenleigh4724 4 года назад +10

    My brother has just died: I would discuss such things with him. Thanks for the story.

  • @silverlightning3713
    @silverlightning3713 3 года назад +1

    I'm currently with 617Sqn, its now a front line F35B Unit operated by both the RAF and RN

  • @grandhistorytv4450
    @grandhistorytv4450 5 лет назад +18

    Great stuff man, good to see another history youtuber starting up like myself! I'll keep an eye on your channel. Subbed.

    • @Wallyworld30
      @Wallyworld30 5 лет назад +5

      I just subbed to this channel and yours. I haven't checked out your content yet but if it has WW2 history content I'm in. I found this channel through the WW2 Subreddit so you might want to make a post there letting them know you exist featuring your best video.

  • @PhaseConverterampV
    @PhaseConverterampV 4 года назад +1

    Excellent reenactment. Thank you for not playing music while narrating.

  • @Mrslippyfist666
    @Mrslippyfist666 2 года назад +1

    Lol amd here 2 years later you exceeded your subs by 500k of what you were hoping. Keep em coming this channel is amazing

  • @busdriver2011
    @busdriver2011 4 года назад +5

    My Great Grandfather Albert Midgely designed the pistol barometric fuses for the bouncing bomb. He also designed the fuse for the Tall Boy bombs. He received an OBE for his work.

  • @LittaDNB
    @LittaDNB 3 года назад +1

    Superb video. Really well done. Music was spot on, set the atmosphere perfectly. Great narration. Animation was more than we could ever ask for in a free to watch RUclips video. Thanks for the great content.

  • @MarsFKA
    @MarsFKA 4 года назад +8

    10:05 "Gibson, and others on the raid, would receive the Victoria Cross..." Only one VC was awarded, to Gibson, and it was more an award for his 175 missions, culminating in the dams raid.

    • @markroclawski3626
      @markroclawski3626 4 года назад +4

      MARSFKA actually guy Gibson wasn't awarded the vc for his 175 successful missions, he was awarded it because on the night of the dambuster raid he made himself a target for German anti aircraft gunners so that the rest of the squadron could carry out their respective bomb runs. Not only did he carry out this method at the mohne dam, he did it at both the eder and the zorpe dams. Because he thought of the mission success and the welfare of his squadron he was awarded the Victoria Cross for actions that were above and beyond the call of duty. Hence it being for valour.

    • @MarsFKA
      @MarsFKA 4 года назад

      @@markroclawski3626 Yes to all of the above, but I stand by my first comment. Gibson had survived 175 missions, many of which were recounted in his book "Enemy Coast Ahead". He was the most experienced pilot in Bomber Command and, by the laws of averages, should not have been alive. His VC was a long time coming and the final impetus to its award to him was the dams raid.

    • @ianraper4304
      @ianraper4304 4 года назад +2

      I agree with you Mark Roclawski. The VC had very little, if anything, to do with his 175 missions - although that would have been a worthy accomplishment in itself. The book 'The Dam Busters' and the film of the same name told a story of remarkable skill, determination and courage of the members of the 617 squadron and the leadership of Gibson to get the job done - the film certainly demonstrated Gibson's capacity as leader. The raid was very big news and despite the downplaying of its success by war historians (The World at War series mentioned only a 10% success rate) it was regarded as a tremendous achievement by all involved. Incidently, the man who succeeded Gibson, Leonard Cheshire, also won a VC (and was later knighted) and various others, including Dave Shannon, were awarded medals of honour as well.

    • @markroclawski3626
      @markroclawski3626 4 года назад +1

      @@MarsFKA Actually, the 175 missions that Guy Gibson flew and survived awarded him the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Distinguished Service Medal, numerous other medals and awards. If he'd have survived the raid over Holland after the dambuster raid and subsequently the second World war, he would have been promoted to Group Captain, if not Air Commodore, given an OBE for services to his country and maybe given a knighthood. If he was American he'd have flown 175 missions including the dambuster raid and have finished with enough medals to sink a supercarrier. Sorry for the American comment but I'm just trying to put a little perspective on how many awards he would have been given. The forgotten generation are getting fewer by the year and we must keep their actions alive and as accurate as possible since there won't be anyone left to tell us how our future was written.

  • @VaderGhost124
    @VaderGhost124 Год назад +1

    Mate your videos have been so good for the longest time. I’d love to see this one remastered though.

    • @TheOperationsRoom
      @TheOperationsRoom  Год назад +2

      Cool idea

    • @VaderGhost124
      @VaderGhost124 Год назад

      @@TheOperationsRoom just watched the Dambusters movie tonight now I’m a bit older made me realise the actual feat this operation was. Thanks again for all the videos on your channel. It’s been a pleasure to watch.

  • @treelimb99
    @treelimb99 4 года назад +4

    McCarthy was my Great Grandma's cousin. She always talked about how proud she was of him.
    Family rumor was he had bad eyesight and couldn't pass The USA standards, so we went to Canadian and got his wings. As it turned out it was a good choice.

  • @wiaf8937
    @wiaf8937 2 года назад

    jesus christ, that is some insane narration of an even more insane mission. as a german, thanks for freeing us all these years ago

  • @sam_p792
    @sam_p792 3 года назад +1

    A very modern but excellent way to remember them. Love this channel.

  • @1Plassy
    @1Plassy 4 года назад +3

    I always thought they hit one Dam and there was two or three planes to do the job so seen how it really was and who was lost gives you a whole different look at things.

  • @Simonsvids
    @Simonsvids 4 года назад +1

    A few years ago I went to the Eder dam. It's been rebuilt now, and the lake is used for water sports and the area is popular with German day trippers and tourists. The nearby town of Waldeck is nice with a castle overlooking the dam. You can still see the bullet holes on the wall of the dam and the castle, where there were anti aircraft guns, that were fired by the lancasters. There is an infopoint on the dam saying that many civilians and children were killed in the valley due to the dam bursting. That made me so sad and so glad we are now friends.

    • @Bahamas-rd8le
      @Bahamas-rd8le 4 года назад

      Simon Jones well said, I think they should make a plaque remembering the civilians who lost their lvies

    • @mikefandango2296
      @mikefandango2296 4 года назад

      Yes that’s how evil mankind is to his fellow man. We still haven’t learnt anything from the loss.

  • @W1se0ldg33zer
    @W1se0ldg33zer 4 года назад +24

    I can't remember where but one of those bounced up and into an embankment - buried itself deep and it's still there to this day. Nobody is crazy enough to try to dig it out.
    In 2018 one was washed up on to a beach in Kent. Was a practice bomb.

    • @markroclawski3626
      @markroclawski3626 4 года назад +3

      Actually the one that bounced up onto the embankment exploded just below the lanc they dropped it as it flew over it. Thay aircraft crashed on its return flight to Scampton. The last anyone saw of it was when Gibson asked if it's pilot was OK. There was a faint radio call in reply then nothing. That added to the 53 aircrew count for the final casualty list.

    • @ianraper4304
      @ianraper4304 4 года назад +1

      In the book and also in the film of 'The Dam Busters' the scene where the Lancaster crashes is clearly played out. The bomber crashes and Gibson, who was flying nearby, asks if they're alright. There is a reply which is 'I think so' then there is an explosion and nothing more is heard. The assumption here is that there were survivors of that crash but not the explosion that followed.

    • @MarsFKA
      @MarsFKA 4 года назад

      @@ianraper4304 The aircraft you are referring to was Z-Zebra, flown by Henry Maudslay. His bomb was dropped late and exploded on the parapet of the Eder dam, badly damaging the Lancaster. Gibson asked Maudslay if he was alright and faintly heard, "I think so. Stand by" (I'm going by Paul Brickhill's "The Dam Busters" here). That was the last that the other aircraft heard from him. The crash into the trees in the film was actually a B-17, but Maudslay was still flying and was shot down on the way home when he flew into a flak barrage near Emmerich. None of Z-Zebra's crew survived.

    • @ianraper4304
      @ianraper4304 4 года назад

      Almost, MarsFKA. The book clearly mentions the details (refer to pages 89-90 in Paul Brickhill's excellent 'The Dam Busters') regarding Z-Zebra so I totally concur there. However, in the film, the scene has the Lancaster (not a B-17) crashing and then there's silence and the response is heard. Immediately afterwards there's an explosion then nothing - this was not mentioned in the book. However the book does mention that Maudslay never came. Anyway, whichever and whatever happened, the book and the film were both excellent and clearly portrayed the uniqueness, courage and dedication that was necessary at the time.

    • @MarsFKA
      @MarsFKA 4 года назад

      ​@@ianraper4304There were two versions of the film: one - the version I have in front of me as I type, and which I have just played at the Z-Zebra scene has, in the following order, the bomb exploding, Gibson's query, Maudslay's faint reply, then an explosion from a crashing aircraft.
      The other version, which I saw in the cinema as a child, has immediately before the crashing aircraft explosion, a brief clip of an aircraft crashing among trees. I read that this version of the movie was spiced up for the American market by inserting the clip of a crashing aircraft, but the clip was removed after it was seen that Warner Brothers had used a B-17.

  • @ponsg5208
    @ponsg5208 4 года назад +1

    57 of our best airmen lost their lives that night.What bravery.RIP

    • @MarsFKA
      @MarsFKA 4 года назад

      Fifty-three. Three bailed out in time and survived.

  • @AbsolvedUndertaker
    @AbsolvedUndertaker 2 года назад +3

    Guy Gibson is real cool, just don't ask about his dog