The Dambusters Raid - Animated

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.

All images are public domain.

[TheOperationsRoom]

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[Simon_de_Cornouailles]

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.

[Supergeologist]

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.

[mbrenner]

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

[Oscarspoem]

When you said ...’53 did not come home!’ It really was, as the video, done with class and expressed with such humility. There is brave, yet it’s well above that.

[petehall]

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...

[intertrns]

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.

[twizzle]

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.

[gsmith]

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.

[wadedixon]

I don’t think anyone today could comprehend what these young men experienced. Navigating bomber aircraft at tree top level in the dark? Incredible! Rip to those brave souls that didn’t make it home.

[artistjoh]

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.

[johnreed]

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

[BMod]

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

[markshere]

133 people took off that night. 53 killed and 3 made POWs. 32 would die later in the war, Gibson being the last. Only 48 survived the war. That was a survival rate of 36%. The youngest was 18.

[maxjohn]

I've seen several full-length documentaries about these raids, but you managed to be more informative in 10 minutes than any of them managed to be in 45-60 minutes! Thanks for making these videos.

[mattwordsworth]

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

[chronoserpent]

"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.

[bdbdluk]

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.

[mrchippy]

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

[ronrichmond]

I guess I've been reading about Operation Chastise for over 50 years - read the Brickhill book, saw the movie several times, bought the computer program, and read just about everything else about it that ever came my way....but nothing has ever tied it all together so clearly and so succinctly as your video here. It's really good. Thank you.