Lancaster leads Dambusters 65th anniversary flypast over Derwent reservoir

One of only two remaining airworthy Avro Lancaster bombers, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight PA474 (currently carrying the identity of EE139 'Phantom of the Ruhr') led a spectacular 65th anniversary tribute to the WWII 'Dambusters' of 617 Squadron over Derwent reservoir in Derbyshire on 16 May. Other aircraft involved in the tribute included the BBMF's Spitfire PR MkXIX PS915, Hurricane Mk IIc F363, Douglas C47 (DC3) Dakota ZA947, and two Tornado's jets from the current 617 Squadron.




Photos by Robin Powney, May 2008

The 'Dambusters' raid, officially referred to as 'Operation Chastise', took place at night on 16 May 1943 and targeted three dams holding back reservoirs which supplied the Ruhr industrial area of Germany. 617 Squadron flew 19 modified Lancasters carrying Barnes Wallace's specially designed Vickers Type 464 'bouncing bombs' which had to be released at precisely 60' above the water to enable them to skip across the surface of the lakes before sinking against the the base of the dam walls and exploding. The raid breached the Mohne and Eder dams but failed to destroy the Sorpe.

617 squadron used the Derwent reservoir dam during training in the period preceding the raid.



This spectacular video includes footage of BBMF Lancaster PA474 flying low over Derwent reservoir. Further videos of this event are available direct from YouTube (www.youtube.com) by searching 'Dambusters Anniversary Flypast'

Find out more about the Dambusters at: http://www.dambusters.org.uk and/or http://www.thedambusters.org.uk

Find out more about the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at: http://www.bbmf.co.uk