The Dambusters
Anyone else watching the excellent 3 episode day by day account by Dan Snow on Channel 5 of the run up to the raid. It brings back lots of memories for me. Tonight is the account of the raid itself.
peedee
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We are recording it.
David
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My Mother in law's first husband was among the crew killed when their Lancaster bomber crashed during training for that raid I was also amazed when a very old friend was recently discussing going through his dads things a lovely man who was a rear gunner in a Lancaster and coming across his caterpillar badge.
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My memories are from living on the Scampton camp when they still flew Lancasters. I could watch them warming up their engines from the kitchen window. We could also wander around the camp quite freely or at least no one ever challenged where we went.
peedee
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I recall a story of a rear gunner in a Lancaster who fell asleep(!) on the return trip, woke to get no response on his intercom from any crew member, baled out and broke both legs on the tarmac, the plane having landed. Not sure if it was apocryphal. Certainly remember going to the cinema with my father, ex Bomber command, to see the film. Richard Todd played Gibson and Michael Redgrave Barnes Wallis.
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Some picks from when I visited East Kirby
peedee
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Watched the first two episodes this afternoon. I quite like Dan Snow presenting programmes, always so enthusiastic. One aspect of this type of programme I am not so keen on is the constant recapping of what has previously be shown. Having said that there have been some good series on Channel 5 recently, is there someone new in charge I wonder?
David
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Richard Todd actually took part in the opening battles of D Day as a captain and parachuted in and met up with Major John Howard on Pegasus bridge. Richard Todd then went on to play John Howard in the Longest Day.
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I suppose, looking back, that as young lad watching the film and reading the book by Paul Brickhill put me the track for my life. I wanted to learn to fly with the RAF and also Barnes Wallis inspired me to study more in maths.
I was lucky to end up doing both, at the same time.
There have been more books written about the mission and its famous squadron. In act I'm currently reading one called Chastise by Max Hastings. Some interesting points are in them, Gibson, while without doubt brave and a great leader but he wasn't liked by the ground crews. Also when the King and Queen visited they only met officers even though the majority of aircrew were NCOs.
I've used the searchlight and bomb aiming device many times when teaching trig.
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The son of a friend of mine has recently concluded his career in the RAF as one of the air mechanics with the BoB Memorial flight. Travelling between shows he would cadge a lift in the mid upper turret of the Lanc , and in his words " They paid me for the privilege of doing so " 😀.
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Nearest club site Sutton on Sea
There are (IMHO better) alternatives, such as a CS from 't other club. It's literally on the other side of the trees from the Aviation Heritage Centre, so a very short walk to get to it. Had a very enjoyable stay there and a very interesting visit to the Centre.
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This afternoon we watched the last episode of this series, quite dramatic I thought. A very heavy price to pay for what appeared to be little return? I appreciate the whole series was about the run up to the raid and the raid itself but it would have been interesting to know what happened to the "after war" survivors.
David
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There were a number of "special ops" that had limited military effect. The Bordeaux raid by the "Cockleshell Heroes" must have had quite an impact on morale though as attacks in unexpected places puts the opposition on edge. St Nazaire was not dissimilar although that had more strategic effect as it denied a dry dock to the Bismark/Tirpitz.
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Some years ago ex RAF radio operator on Lancs who was a member of our local ham radio club told of winding out the Aerial on the aircraft when they were airborne and if he neglected to wind it in and on landing and lost it they had the cost of 2 deducted from their pay one for the aircraft and one for stock ??? he reckons he never did it twice also if they flew over Germany dropping leaflets and not bombs it only counted as half an operation
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