Avro Lancaster B.III ‘THE DAMBUSTERS’
2023 marks the 80th anniversary of ‘Operation Chastise’, also known as the Dambusters raids which was carried out by 617 Squadron on the 16th/17th May 1943, based at Royal Air Force Scampton. This reintroduction features two new schemes, recreating the mission flown by Wing Commander Guy Gibson and Squadron leader John Leslie Munro.
Following a short but intense period of training, the volunteer group of crack airmen who made up the new RAF No.617 Squadron took off from RAF Scampton on the night of 16th/17th May 1943, at the start of the most audacious bombing raid in history.
Led by their enigmatic and inspirational commanding officer Guy Gibson, he is reputed to have said, ‘This squadron will either make history, or it will be completely wiped out’, but nevertheless, every man was determined to play their part in this historic raid. Nineteen ‘Special’ Lancaster’s and their crews sent a message to the German nation that could not be disguised by their propaganda ministers.
