The Dambusters

Martin Shaw tells the story of The Dambusters squadron which was was formed at RAF Scampton during World War II on 21st March 1943. The squadron was formed for the specific task of attacking three major dams on the Ruhr in Germany: the Möhne, Eder and Sorpe. The plan was given the codename Operation Chastise and was carried out on 17th May 1943. The squadron had to develop the tactics to deploy Barnes Wallis's "Bouncing bomb". Wing Commander Guy Penrose Gibson VC, DSO & Bar, DFC & Bar, RAF (12th August 1918 - 19th September 1944), was the first CO of the Royal Air Force's 617 Squadron, which he led in the "Dam Busters" raid (Operation Chastise) in 1943, resulting in the destruction of two large dams in the Ruhr area. He was awarded the Victoria Cross. Gibson returned to operational duties in 1944 and was killed along with his navigator Sqn Ldr Jim Warwick, on a bombing raid on Rheydt.